MANCHESTER, UK, 2017-Sep-11 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Iris Prize has announced Co-op as a major new partner for its six-day celebration of LGBT film taking place in Cardiff next month (10 – 15 October).
Now in its 11th year, the Iris Prize – which has been identified as one of the top 50 film festivals in the world by Movie Maker Magazine for three years in a row – has unveiled a comprehensive programme including screenings of 35 international short films competing for the Iris Prize, the 15 Best British Short nominees, plus premiere screenings of 10 feature films.
The Co-op has arranged for singer Heather Small to perform a selection of songs including “Proud” at the festival in her capacity as a Co-op Respect Network partner.
The community retailer is also hosting a Food Village which showcases the diversity of Wales’ home grown produce.
Neil Moffatt, of the Co-op’s Respect Network steering group, and a member of the Iris Prize Best British jury, explained:
“With a programme which includes screenings of 35 international short films competing for the Iris Prize and the 15 Best British Short nominees, as well as premiere screenings of 10 feature films, networking opportunities and an Education Day for schools there will be much to celebrate.
“At the Co-op we promote a culture of respect, raising awareness to ensure that inclusion is at the heart of what we do. We are proud to support events such as Iris which brings issues of discrimination into focus.”
Andrew Pierce, Iris Prize Chair, commented:
“What will you see in Cardiff? This is our new strapline which we have adopted for Iris in this our 11th year, our second decade and we are determined to be fresh and relevant – therefore this year you will notice some changes to the festival programme.”
“To bring the festival to a close we are organising our biggest party every – that’s the promise as we present the inaugural Iris Carnival an all-day extravaganza combining, music, food and film. We are taking over the Depot on Dumballs Road and the delightful Heather Small will be headlining our sound stage and Matt Lissack, from Capital FM is back by popular demand to present the Iris Awards Show.
“The carnival will also include the Co-op Food Village which involves a number of the retailer’s local Welsh suppliers including: Boss Brewing Company; Village Dairy; Frank’s Ice Cream; Radnor Hills Mineral Water Co; Village Bakery; Edwards of Conwy and the Authentic Curry Company. The food village is an excellent way to demonstrating a flavour of the diversity of great Welsh food and drink available in its stores across the UK.”
What will you see in Cardiff? – visit http://www.irisprize.org/the-prize-2017/
Media Contact
Andrew Torr
Co-op Press Office
M: 07702 505 551
E: andrew.torr@co-operative.coop