Iris Podcast

'Cindy' Storyline: Cindy’s first time performing in drag might be camp and outrageous, but it isn’t exactly a success.

Rosanagh is currently in production on the feature documentary Purity, directed by Susy Peña, which follows the story of a Ugandan trans refugee activist in Kenya as they prepare for relocation to Sweden. Spinster is also currently developing short narrative projects with Rashida Seriki and Dray K. In addition to her work as a producer and director, Rosanagh has had a respected career in Post Production, working on films including Brian Welsh’s Beats and Lynne Ramsay’s You Were Never Really Here.

To watch the film visit: https://www.irisprize.org/

'Mandem' Storyline: A job is just a job. But as with anything, time flies when you’re doing it with your best friend, and today’s no different. We follow Ty & Malcolm as they go about their daily routine. Just another day for two really good friends.

John Ogunmuyiwa is an award-winning Nigerian-born London-bred filmmaker; both director & writer. His work draws upon a constant questioning of what it means to be normal. Using daily observations as a base, he tends to bring a tinge of surrealism into his work. All with the aim of telling untold stories from a different perspective.

@JohnOgunz | @EmilyEverdee 

'Better' Storyline: As Max explores his gender identity, the bullying he faces at school becomes increasingly severe. When Max’s mum hears of a controversial new medical procedure that could protect him, she’s faced with a near-impossible personal and ethical dilemma.

@mjfdirector | @kirstydua

David doesn’t want to go out. But when his ex-husband Troy turns up, he feels like he might be able to face the scene again.

James Corley is a writer and filmmaker. He trained as an actor at LAMDA and a writer with Stephen Jeffreys. Short films include THE YELLOW ROOM and THE SCENE (as writer/director). Stage Plays include WORLD’S END, Kings Head Theatre (Theatre Weekly’s Off-West End Pick of the Year, 2019).

www.jamescorley.uk

'Pompeii' Storyline: Tam gets on the first tube home alone. He plugs in his earphones and begins reliving his Halloween night out via his phone.

Marco Alessi is a writer and director based in London. His narrative shorts include FOUR QUARTETS (LFF 2018; Berlinale 2019, Crystal Bear Jury Special Mention; distributed by Peccadillo), TONI_WITH_AN_I, co-written with Mary Antony (BBC/BFI co-production; broadcast on BBC 4), and POMPEII, co-writer/co-director with Harry Lighton and Matthew Jacobs Morgan (Film4; LFF 2019; BIFA longlisted). His next short, THE BOWER is inspired by Derek Jarman’scanonisation. He is currently developing his first feature, CAMPOMARINO

'The Passing' Storyline: A mortician has a difficult day at work.

nicholawong.co.uk/thepassing

'Dungarees' Storyline: What even is a male? Why can’t I wear a dress? Fuck it. Let’s have sex and worry about it later. Transgender Blake and cisgender Cane hang out, play video games and grapple with their insecurities. This is their love story.

My God, I’m Queer Storyline: Can you be Muslim and gay? A bereaved fiancé goes on a deeply personal journey to prevent the tragedy from ever happening again.

Matt Mahmood-Ogston is a filmmaker and the Founder of Naz and Matt Foundation, a multi award-winning charity dedicated to tackling religious and cultural homophobia. He set up the foundation in memory of his fiancé and soulmate of thirteen years, Dr Naz Mahmood, who sadly took his own life two days after his deeply religious parents confronted him about his sexuality.

His charity has helped hundreds of LGBTQ+ individuals who have come to them for support – and has been instrumental in securing safety and asylum for many individuals facing abuse and the prospect of being killed if they were forced to return to their country of birth.

Matt has committed his life to tackling this problem and uses filmmaking as a platform to amplify the voices of those who can inspire change. He regularly speaks at secondary schools, universities, public sector organisations and to the press about the extreme challenges of being LGBTQI+ and born into a strict religious family.

Naz and Matt’s personal story helped inspire a ground-breaking storyline in one of the most-watched TV programmes in Britain – Coronation Street. Their tragic love story has been shared around the world in the form of the BBC Folk Award nominated song “Be the Man”, released in the charts by The Young’Uns and performed at Glastonbury.

www.nazandmattfoundation.org

'Rhiw Goch - On The Red Hill' Storyline: The intimate story of a Welsh Farmhouse that was passed down a generation thanks to an unlikely friendship.

'Just Me' Storyline: As Jaz and Charlie make a final attempt to keep their relationship alive, one of them comes out as non-binary, sparking a conversation that will change them both forever.

Adam’s short drama Refugee became the first-ever online-only film to win the BAFTA Children’s Award for Drama in 2016, and they collected the award again for Like Me in 2017. Adam’s documentary What Do You Mean I Can’t Change The World? won the inaugural BAFTA Children’s Award for Content for Change, and saw them nominated for their first BAFTA for Directing.

While developing Just Me Adam began questioning their own gender identity and has since come out as non-binary.

truetube.co.uk/film/just-me