Matthew Rhys confirms Iris Prize Festival line-up for 2009! Iris Prize

24 Aug 2009
Matthew Rhys confirmes Iris Prize Festival line-up for 2009!

The full programme for the Iris Prize Festival has been announced today by Iris Prize Patron Matthew Rhys. The Festival takes place from 7 - 10 October 2009 at Cineworld and Chapter Arts Centre in Cardiff, Wales (UK).

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Matthew Rhys confirmes Iris Prize Festival line-up for 2009! Iris Prize

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"The Iris Prize with lightening speed has become a significant event on the international film festival circuit by focusing on gay and lesbian film making talent.

The 2009 programme of feature films and talks, as well as the shortlisted 30 short films for the Iris Prize, looks very impressive and confirms that Cardiff is the place to be this October," said Matthew Rhys, Iris Prize Festival Patron.

The 2009 programme includes 3 European premieres of new and exciting US features:

Redwoods (Dir: David Lewis, USA, 2009)

Matthew Montgomery who plays Chase in Redwoods will be at the screening in Cardiff to introduce the film. He will also be contributing during the festival on a number of panels sharing his experience within the independent film market, having produced 4 feature films.

"The Iris Prize Festival is a wonderful and reputable avenue to see new work as it's known for bringing together the best of the best. It's exciting for the audience to see new movies, but during a festival such as The Iris Prize, we also have the opportunity to meet the many talented individuals involved in bringing films to life.

This is one of the many reasons why festivals like Iris and her global network of partner festivals are so important," said Matthew Montgomery.


[Pictured above: Welsh actor Matthew Rhys, who plays the gay character in 'Brothers & Sister' made the cover of the world's most read gay magazine, The Advocate.]

"The Festival has become quite reputable in supporting filmmakers alike. I'm thrilled to be sharing some of my own experiences within the independent film market during the informal and formal sessions taking place throughout the festival.

During these strenuous economic conditions, I'm convinced that by unifying and sharing our experiences of best practice we will build a stronger gay and lesbian filmmaking community," he added.

The Big Gay Musical (Dir: Casper Andreas and Fred M Caruso, USA, 2009)

Manhattan based actor Daniel Robinson who plays Paul in the film will be visiting Cardiff for the first time to introduce the film.

"I’m so excited about visiting Cardiff I’ve heard such a lot about Iris. This will be my first visit to Wales, I’ve heard it’s a beautiful country. I’m also honoured to be presenting The Big Gay Musical at the festival.

This will be the film’s first screening outside of the US so I’m quite excited to see how a European audience will respond to the film," said Daniel Robinson.

"I enjoyed working on the film, Casper, who was on the Iris jury last year, and Fred were very generous directors.

We also had a great cast. I had one scene with Brent Corrigan which is quite sensitive and not what people might expect. Its great news that Brent is also attending the festival and I’m looking forward to meeting up with him in Cardiff," he added.

Hollywood Je t’aime (Dir: Jason Bushman, USA, 2009)

Jason Bushman returns to Cardiff to introduce his first feature film. He attended the inaugural Iris Prize Festival in 2007 with his short film Serene Hunter staring Eric Debets, who also plays the lead in Hollywood Je t’aime.

"I’m very excited to be able to open the features strand of this year’s festival with Hollywood Je t’aime. Not only is this a wonderfully entertaining and magical film but it offers us a chance to invite Jason Bushman back to Cardiff. He made such a big impression with his short film Serene Hunter during our inaugural festival in 2007.

It’s fantastic to see Jason going from strength to strength and for Iris to be a small part of that, we feel very proud of what he has achieved" said Berwyn Rowlands from the Iris Prize.

The full programme of 6 features also includes Fiona’s Scrip (Dir: Florencia Manovil) and two accomplished films from France, Highly Strung Jet e mangerais (Dir: Sophie Laloy) and the International Festival Favourite Give Me Your Hand Donne-moi la mains (Dir: Pascal-Alex Vincent).

Confirmed guests attending the Iris Prize Festival to introduce their feature films are: Jason Bushman (director Hollywood Je t'aime), Florencia Manovil (director Fiona's Script), Matthew Montgomery (actor Redwoods), Daniel Robinson (actor The Big Gay Musical), Brent Corrigan (The Big Gay Musical) and Pascal-Alex Vincent (director Give Me Your Hand).

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© 2009 Dr. Mark Leslie Woods Smart & Sexy? Your Queer Advantage advances while your Queer Day Rises!
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© 2009 Dr. Mark Leslie Woods

Cyfrwng 2009 Welsh Media Conference hosted by BBC Cymru Wales, Cardiff 7-8 May 2009

CYFRWNG 2009 CONFERENCE

hosted by BBC Cymru Wales, Cardiff

7-8 May 2009

‘Audiences’

The Cyfrwng 2009 conference will be held at the BBC Cymru Wales Broadcasting Centre, Cardiff on 7-8 May and this year’s theme is ‘Audiences’.

During the two day event, an array of speakers, papers and panels will consider many different aspects of media Audiences in Wales from the changes in audience usage of media to issues of regulation and accountability.

Emphasis will be on the specific needs of Welsh audiences in a range of areas including children’s programming and theatre audiences. Attention will also be paid to the impact of new media technologies within the multiplatform era.

The future of news in Wales will also be considered with the plurality of news a key aspect for discussion. The conference aims to bring together scholarly voices and industry professionals and to encourage dialogue between the academy and the media industry.



[Pictured above: Menna Richards, Director, BBC Cymru Wales]

Confirmed speakers include:

Menna Richards, Director of BBC Cymru Wales

Alun Ffred Jones, AM and Welsh Assembly Government Heritage Minister

Professor Sylvia Harvey, Professor of Broadcasting Policy, Lincoln School of Media

Judith Isherwood, Chief Executive of the Wales Millennium Centre

Alun Davies, AM Labour

Alan Edmunds, Editorial Director of Media Wales and Western Mail Editor

Claire Fox, Director of the Institute of Ideas

Elis Owen, Controller of ITV Wales

Professor Kevin Williams, Swansea University

John McGrath, Artistic Director, National Theatre Wales

Elwyn Williams, Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru

Simon Popple, Director of the Louis Le Prince Centre, University of Leeds

Dr Cynthia Carter, Cardiff University

Keith Towler, Children’s Commissioner for Wales

Tony Wearn, Research Director, BARB

Sangeet Bhullar, Wise Kids

Mandy Rose, BBC Cymru Wales, Creative Director, Multiplatform

Tony Jordan, Red Planet

Nick Beasley, Chief Executive of Audiences Wales

Professor Hamish Fyfe, University of Glamorgan

Simon Marshall, First Light

Siân Eirian, Head of Children’s Service, S4C

Hywel Wiliam, Ofcom Head of Broadcasting & Telecommunications, Wales

Dr Ceri Sherlock, BBC Cymru Wales Commissioning Executive, Arts

Nia Ceidiog, Cynyrchiadau Ceidiog Creations



[Pictured above: Alun Ffred Jones, AM and Welsh Assembly Government Heritage Minister]

The conference programme and registration form are available at
www.cyfrwng.com


The programme will be updated regularly.

For further information, contact Dr Rebecca Williams, Swansea University at r.s.williams[at]swansea[dot]ac.[dot]uk



AIM: ATRiuM Intelligent Media

Study Abroad in Britain, Europe and the U.S.A. / Canada Website.

Click here to go directly to my personal blog page called Adoration of Beauty and the Grotesque, on the World Wide Web.

Click here to go directly to my personal blog page called William Blake Spirituality: Toward a Theory of Horoscopes, Tarot and Tomorrow's Tea Leaves, on the World Wide Web.

Click here to go directly to my personal blog page called Courage 2 Create, on the World Wide Web.

Click here to go directly to my personal blog page called Grace-filled Empty Spaces, on the World Wide Web.

Click here to go directly to my personal blog page called Welsh-American Family Genealogy, on the World Wide Web.
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Click here to go directly to my personal blog page called Celtic Cult Cinema on the World Wide Web.
Visit the UK Film Studies and World Cinema and Music Import Showcase
© 2009 Dr. Mark Leslie Woods

Doctor Who and Torchwood -- Participants required for research project: Screening The Nation: Wales and Landmark Television

Dear all,

You may be aware of a BBC Trust project being conducted at CCI by Professor Steve Blandford, Professor Stephen Lacey, Dr. Ruth McElroy and Dr. Rebecca Williams on the topic of ‘Screening The Nation: Wales and Landmark Television'.

Torchwood BBCi Teaser





We are collecting questionnaire responses to representations of Wales, primarily in Doctor Who and Torchwood. We therefore invite anyone who is interested to complete an online questionnaire for the project which can be found at
Questionaire English
If you prefer to respond in Welsh please visit
Questionaire Welsh
We hope that some of you will be able to take part in this research and we look forward to reading some of your responses. We also encourage you to pass these links onto anyone else who might be interested.

Doctor Who Season 4 Trailer




Dr. Rebecca Williams

Research Assistant

Cardiff School of Creative and Cultural Industries

University of Glamorgan



AIM: ATRiuM Intelligent Media

Study Abroad in Britain, Europe and the U.S.A. / Canada Website.

Click here to go directly to my personal blog page called Adoration of Beauty and the Grotesque, on the World Wide Web.

Click here to go directly to my personal blog page called William Blake Spirituality: Toward a Theory of Horoscopes, Tarot and Tomorrow's Tea Leaves, on the World Wide Web.

Click here to go directly to my personal blog page called Courage 2 Create, on the World Wide Web.

Click here to go directly to my personal blog page called Grace-filled Empty Spaces, on the World Wide Web.

Click here to go directly to my personal blog page called Welsh-American Family Genealogy, on the World Wide Web.
Click here to go directly to my personal blog page called Welsh Music, Film, and Books Symposium, on the World Wide Web.
Click here to go directly to my personal blog page called Celtic Cult Cinema on the World Wide Web.
Visit the UK Film Studies and World Cinema and Music Import Showcase
© 2009 Dr. Mark Leslie Woods

Cardiff: BBC National Orchestra of Wales Records Soundtrack for Doctor Who at new home

[Pictured above: David Tennant as Dr Who]

BBC National Orchestra of Wales Records Soundtrack for Doctor Who at new home

Dyddiad Rhyddhau: 24 March 2009


Time Travelling Orchestra BBC National Orchestra of Wales is currently recording the soundtrack for BBC Wales' new episodes of Doctor Who.


The Orchestra's music will be heard adding drama to the filmed action of David Tennant and the programme's other stars later this year beginning with the first of four Doctor Who specials on air at Easter.




Some of the Orchestra players took time out during the session to do some time travelling of their own as Doctor Who's TARDIS made a timely stop in Cardiff Bay.

Doctor Who theme tune by Nigel Kennedy - BBC Proms 2008



The Orchestra are performing and recording the music at their new home and venue BBC Hoddinott Hall at Wales Millennium Centre where they moved in January.

The Orchestra are recording the soundtrack for the first time in their new facilities since they began performing the Doctor Who theme tune and soundtrack back in 2005.




Their new studio provides the perfect conditions for them to record, purpose built for their recordings for TV, BBC Radio 3 and for concert performance.

Director of BBC National Orchestra of Wales, David Murray said "We are thrilled that the Orchestra records the soundtrack for this special programme and is associated with excellent BBC Wales' series.

National Orchestra of Wales



As well as being tremendously exciting for the players and the Orchestra team, the opportunity to perform a different style of music helps to showcase the diversity of the Orchestra.

It is also particularly exciting to be recording a soundtrack in our new home for the first time since our move here in January with the excellent recording and performing facilities that BBC Hoddinott Hall offers to the Orchestra".

BBC National Orchestra of Wales received a Beacon Award for Excellence by the Arts Council of Wales in 2008.



Cerddorfa Genedlaethol Gymreig y BBC yn Recordio Trac Sain Doctor Who yn ei chartref newydd

Dyddiad Rhyddhau: 24 Mawrth 2009
David Tennant fel Dr Who

Ar hyn o bryd mae Cerddorfa Genedlaethol Gymreig y BBC yn Teithio drwy Amser yn recordio trac sain penodau newydd Doctor Who ar gyfer BBC Wales.


Clywir cerddoriaeth y Gerddorfa yn ychwanegu drama at anturiaethau ar ffilm David Tennant a sêr eraill y rhaglen yn ddiweddarach eleni gan gychwyn â'r gyntaf o bedair rhaglen Doctor Who arbennig ar yr awyr dros y Pasg.

Cymerodd rhai o chwaraewyr y Gerddorfa hoe fach yn ystod y sesiwn i deithio drwy amser eu hunain pan roddodd TARDIS Doctor Who dro amserol am Fae Caerdydd.

Mae'r Gerddorfa'n perfformio ac yn recordio'r gerddoriaeth yn ei chartref a'i hoedfan newydd, Neuadd Hoddinott y BBC yng Nghanolfan Mileniwm Cymru lle'r ymfudodd ym mis Ionawr.

Dyma'r tro cyntaf i'r Gerddorfa'n recordio'r trac sain yn ei chyfleusterau newydd ers iddi ddechrau perfformio arwyddgan a thrac sain Doctor Who dro'n ôl yn 2005.

Gallifrey - Doctor Who



Mae ei stiwdio newydd yn cynnig yr union amgylchiadau iddi recordio, wedi'i chodi i'r pwrpas ar gyfer ei recordiadau i'r teledu, BBC Radio 3 ac ar gyfer perfformio cyngherddau.

Meddai Cyfarwyddwr Cerddorfa Genedlaethol Gymreig y BBC, David Murray "Rydym wrth ein bodd mai'r Gerddorfa sy'n recordio trac sain y rhaglen arbennig yma a'i bod ynghlwm â'r gyfres ragorol ar BBC Wales.

Ar ben bod yn aruthrol o gyffrous i'r chwaraewyr a thîm y Gerddorfa, mae'r cyfle i berfformio gwahanol fath o gerddoriaeth yn helpu i roi stondin i amryw ddoniau'r Gerddorfa.

Mae hefyd yn arbennig o gyffrous cael recordio trac sain yn ein cartref newydd am y tro cyntaf ers i ni ymfudo yma ym mis Ionawr a chennym y cyfleusterau recordio a pherfformio rhagorol sydd gan Neuadd Hoddinott y BBC i'w cynnig i'r Gerddorfa."

Enillodd Cerddorfa Genedlaethol Cymreig y BBC Ddyfarniad Cwmni Disglair gan Gyngor Celfyddydau Cymru yn 2008.




Click here to go directly to my personal blog page called Adoration of Beauty and the Grotesque, on the World Wide Web.

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Click here to go directly to my personal blog page called Grace-filled Empty Spaces, on the World Wide Web.

Click here to go directly to my personal blog page called Welsh-American Family Genealogy, on the World Wide Web.
Click here to go directly to my personal blog page called Welsh Music, Film, and Books Symposium, on the World Wide Web.
Click here to go directly to my personal blog page called Celtic Cult Cinema on the World Wide Web.
Visit the UK Film Studies and World Cinema and Music Import Showcase
© 2009 Dr. Mark Leslie Woods Smart & Sexy? Your Queer Day Rises!
Click here to go directly to my personal blog page called Queer Advantage, on the World Wide Web.
Click here to go directly to my personal blog page called Mordechai Razing Ziggurats, on the World Wide Web.
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© 2009 Dr. Mark Leslie Woods

Cardiff's Queer Iris Prize Expands International Reach Says Matthew Rhys

[Pictured above: Welsh actor Matthew Rhys, who plays the gay character in 'Brothers & Sister' made the cover of the world's most read gay magazine, The Advocate.]

Not only do the Welsh continue to lead the acting and film world, providing an endless parade of talent, but Cardiff, the capital city of Wales, has become a must-visit hot spot on the annual calendar for Gay & Lesbian Film production.



Here's the most recent news, directly quoted from the Iris Prize website:

"Brothers and Sisters star Matthew Rhys today (19 March 2009) confirmed that Melbourne Queer Film Festival and REELING - The Chicago Lesbian and Gay International Film Festival have become partner festivals for the Iris Prize.

Brothers & Sisters - Jason Lewis and Matthew Rhys first kiss



"They join the global network of gay and lesbian film festivals who nominate a short film to compete for the Iris Prize, the world’s largest gay and lesbian short film prize.

"I’m delighted that Iris has two new partner festivals located in Chicago and Melbourne. Having both these respected festivals join the family brings the total number of partner festivals to 16.

"The global network of film festivals who feed into Iris is hugely important in allowing Iris to identify and support the very best film making talent from all over the world," said Festival Patron, Matthew Rhys (pictured right).

"As the second oldest LGBT film festival in the world, Reeling: The Chicago Lesbian & Gay International Film Festival is delighted to participate in identifying the next recipient of the coveted Iris Prize.

B&S 2.01: Good Morning Kiss



"The Iris Prize not only recognizes excellence in LGBT filmmaking, it also makes possible the creation of new work, each year supporting a deserving filmmaker as they embark on their next short film adventure.

"We are thrilled to be part of this process," said Joe Sprague, Operations Director, Reeling.



To learn more about this fantastic festival, created by the Welsh wunderkind Berwyn Rowlands [having already placed Wales on the world stage, having established Ffresh, The Student Moving Image Festival of Wales (2002) and the Welsh International Film Festival (1989)]:

Click here to go directly to the Iris Prize website.


Iris Prize Festival 08 Montage





Click here to go directly to my personal blog page called Adoration of Beauty and the Grotesque, on the World Wide Web.

Click here to go directly to my personal blog page called William Blake Spirituality: Toward a Theory of Horoscopes, Tarot and Tomorrow's Tea Leaves, on the World Wide Web.

Click here to go directly to my personal blog page called Courage 2 Create, on the World Wide Web.

Click here to go directly to my personal blog page called Grace-filled Empty Spaces, on the World Wide Web.

Click here to go directly to my personal blog page called Welsh-American Family Genealogy, on the World Wide Web.
Click here to go directly to my personal blog page called Welsh Music, Film, and Books Symposium, on the World Wide Web.
Click here to go directly to my personal blog page called Celtic Cult Cinema on the World Wide Web.
Visit the UK Film Studies and World Cinema and Music Import Showcase
© 2009 Dr. Mark Leslie Woods Smart & Sexy? Your Queer Advantage advances while your Queer Day Rises!
Click here to go directly to my personal blog page called Queer Advantage, on the World Wide Web.
Click here to go directly to my personal blog page called Mordechai Razing Ziggurats, on the World Wide Web.
Click here to go directly to my personal blog page called Mordechai's Post-Evangelical-Granola on the World Wide Web.
© 2009 Dr. Mark Leslie Woods

Cardiff ATRiuM: George Ewart Evans Centenary Fête April 1, 2009

[Pictured above: George Ewart Evans (1909, Abercynon, South Wales – 1988) was a Welsh-born schoolteacher, writer and folklorist who became a dedicated collector of oral history and oral tradition in the East Anglian countryside from the 1940s to 1970s, and produced eleven books of collections of these materials.]

My esteemed colleague Professor Hamish Fyfe writes to us:

Dear Colleagues,

A date for your diaries

The 1st of April 2009 marks the centenary of the birth of the writer and pioneer oral historian George Ewart Evans. His name is eponymous to the Centre for Storytelling here in CCI. George was born in Abercynon but completed most of his seminal work in Suffolk.

The gathering here in Atrium on the 1st of April will bring together significant figures to consider his life, his work and his legacy..

These will include his son the former Faber and Faber Chairman Matthew Evans, David Gentleman the artist, Colin Thomas the film-maker our colleague the historian Gareth Williams who is Evans’s biographer.

If you know about Evans’s work come and join us in celebrating, if you don’t come and learn more about the man and his work from those that knew, read and have been influenced by him . . .

Hamish Fyfe

Professor Hamish Fyfe,

Cardiff School of Creative and Cultural Industries

Atrium, University of Glamorgan

Adam Street, Cardiff, CF24 2XF





Click here to go directly to my personal blog page called Welsh-American Family Genealogy, on the World Wide Web.
Click here to go directly to my personal blog page called Welsh Music, Film, and Books Symposium, on the World Wide Web.
Click here to go directly to my personal blog page called Celtic Cult Cinema on the World Wide Web.
Visit the UK Film Studies and World Cinema and Music Import Showcase
© 2009 Dr. Mark Leslie Woods
Smart & Sexy? Your Queer Advantage is waiting!
Click here to go directly to my personal blog page called Queer Advantage, on the World Wide Web.
Click here to go directly to my personal blog page called Mordechai Razing Ziggurats, on the World Wide Web.
Click here to go directly to my personal blog page called Mordechai's Post-Evangelical-Granola on the World Wide Web.
© 2009 Dr. Mark Leslie Woods