Dima Hamdan, a Palestinian filmmaker based in Berlin, has won the 2024 Iris Prize, the world’s largest LGBTQ+ short film award. The prestigious £30,000 prize was awarded to Hamdan’s film, Blood Like Water, at the Cardiff-based festival, marking a significant moment for both the filmmaker and the LGBTQ+ community. In her response to receiving the award, Hamdan said, “I am deeply honoured to receive this award because it is both the ‘Oscars’ of the LGBTQ+ short film world, and it comes from a community that has increasingly voiced its support for Palestine in recent years.”
The film, Blood Like Water, tells the story of Shadi, a young man who embarks on a secret adventure, unknowingly leading his family into a moral dilemma where they must choose between collaborating with the Israeli occupation or facing shame from their own people. Former Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price, who chaired the international jury, praised the film for its powerful message, calling it “an important reminder that queer people exist everywhere, including in Palestine at a time of war and occupation.”
Reflecting on her achievement, Hamdan expressed the difficulty of celebrating personal success amidst ongoing global conflict. She said, “It is difficult to celebrate personal achievements when the most televised and live-streamed war in human history has dragged on for one year with no end in sight. In order to survive these dark times, I find strength by envisioning a future when all of this will be over. In that vision, I take solace knowing that the Iris Film Prize, its wonderful team, and the jury will hold a special place in my heart for standing with us and helping to amplify our voices.”
The Iris Prize festival also celebrated other filmmakers, with Louisa Connolly-Burnham winning the Best British Short award for her film Sister Wives. The film explores the lives of young women in a strict, polygamous community in Utah. Connolly-Burnham, who wrote, directed, produced, and co-starred in the film, was praised by jury chair Tim Highsted, who described the film as “a beautifully nuanced and performed drama about two women rebelling against their community’s social and religious constraints and finding love for each other.”
Festival director Berwyn Rowlands emphasized the importance of showcasing these stories, saying, “This year, the filmmakers have focused on the more serious aspect of LGBTQ+ life. Although many are dark, there is still hope.”
All 15 films shortlisted for the Best British Shorts category will be streamed on Channel 4 for a year after the festival, making these powerful stories more accessible to a wider audience.
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