Monday, October 19, 2026 - British filmmaker Luís Hindman has won the prestigious £40,000 Iris Prize at the 2026 Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival in Cardiff, marking a major achievement for British independent cinema.
Announced on October 18, the award recognises his short film Magid / Zafar, making Hindman only the third British filmmaker to win the prize in the festival’s 20-year history. The victory places a powerful spotlight on a home-grown talent whose work is gaining recognition among audiences and industry professionals.
Set inside a Pakistani-British takeaway, Magid / Zafar explores the tension between family expectations, cultural identity and the desire to forge an independent future. The film follows Magid as he struggles to reconcile tradition with modern life, delivering an emotionally charged story through music, dialogue and compelling performances.
The project previously premiered at the 2025 BFI London Film Festival, earned a BAFTA nomination and won the British Independent Film Award for Best British Short, establishing a strong record of critical recognition before its latest triumph.
The £40,000 prize, supported by the Michael Bishop Foundation, will enable Hindman to create a new LGBTQ+ short film in Wales, providing an important opportunity to develop his work and reach wider audiences. Festival jury chair Sara Peacock praised the winning film’s energetic storytelling and technical craft, while festival director Berwyn Rowlands celebrated the achievement during the event’s 20th-anniversary edition.
The win highlights the growing opportunities for emerging filmmakers to tell distinctive stories and build international careers. For Hindman, the award marks not just recognition for an accomplished film, but a significant next step in an increasingly promising filmmaking journey.
0 Comments