Northern Irish Short Film “Purebred” Nominated for Iris Prize 2025

A Northern Irish film, titled Purebred, has been shortlisted for the prestigious Iris Prize 2025, a significant accolade in LGBTQ+ cinema. Directed by Caleb J. Roberts, the film is one of 15 contenders for the coveted £40,000 award, which celebrates excellence in the short film format.

Set in Belfast during a heatwave, Purebred tells the story of Owen, a trans man who returns to the flat of his on-again, off-again lover, Seán, after taking a pregnancy test. The narrative unfolds as Owen grapples with the implications of potential parenthood, prompting a reevaluation of their casual relationship.

The announcement of the nominees for the Iris Prize Best British Short award was made on July 26, 2025, and Purebred is also eligible for several other honors. These include awards for Best British Performance in a Female Role, Best British Performance in a Male Role, Best British Performance Beyond the Binary, the Iris Prize Co-op Audience Award, and the Iris Prize Youth Jury Award.

Festival Screenings and Additional Recognitions

All shortlisted films will be screened during the 19th edition of the festival, taking place from October 13 to 19. Following the festival, the films will be available for viewing on Iris Online as well as Channel 4.

Festival Director Berwyn Rowlands expressed enthusiasm about this year’s selection, stating, “In the early years, finding 10 excellent short films was a challenge; finding 15 this year was easy; we could easily screen more.”

In addition to its nomination for the Iris Prize, Purebred has been selected for various other film festivals, including those in Palm Springs, Bolton, and Basingstoke, alongside the Fringe Queer Film & Arts Festival, Galway Film Fleadh, and the GAZE International LGBTQIA Film Festival.

Director Caleb J. Roberts was also recognized as a runner-up for the Emerging Directors Award 2025 for his work on the film. Based in Belfast, Roberts is known for previous projects such as Malcolm and Homebird, and he is involved with the Trans Image/Trans Experience (TITE) Film Festival.

Sharing the news on Instagram, Roberts expressed his delight at the nomination, extending gratitude to both the Iris Prize and the Outburst Queer Arts Festival for their support in making this achievement possible.

The recognition of Purebred highlights the growing importance of diverse narratives in cinema, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community, and sets the stage for an exciting festival experience in October.