Joe Locke to attend Welsh premiere of Black Church Bay at Iris Prize Closing Night
The Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival – a celebration of global stories and Cardiff charm is delighted to announce that Emmy Award-winning Joe Locke (Heartstopper, Agatha All Along) will attend the Welsh premiere of Black Church Bay on Sunday 18 October, bringing the 20th anniversary edition of the festival to a close.
Joe will be joined at Cineworld Cardiff by his co-star Tom Cullen (Weekend, House of the Dragon) and the film’s director, Rhys Marc Jones, for the special closing-night screening.
Iris Prize Festival Director Berwyn Rowlands said: “We cannot imagine a better way to close our 20th anniversary festival. Joe’s presence will be a real treat for our audience, who will know him from his acclaimed performances in Heartstopper and Agatha All Along.
“We’re thrilled to welcome him back to Wales and to celebrate Black Church Bay with Joe, Tom and Rhys on what promises to be a very special closing night.”
Joe Locke said: “I’m thrilled to be coming back to Wales for the Welsh premiere of Black Church Bay at Cineworld Cardiff, and to catch up with my co-star Tom and our director Rhys. I’m really looking forward to celebrating the film with the Iris Prize audience.”
Black Church Bay is one of 16 feature films screening during the festival’s landmark 20th anniversary edition, landing in Cardiff from the 12 – 18 October 2026.
Iris Prize returns with the support of the BFI National Lottery Audience Projects Fund, awarding National Lottery Good Cause funding. Visit www.irisprize.org to see the full programme and to book tickets.
The main festival sponsors are: The Michael Bishop Foundation; The Welsh Government via Creative Wales; the BFI awarding funds from The National Lottery; Ffilm Cymru Wales; Film4; University of South Wales; Co-op Respect; Ymddiried - Media Grants Cymru, Bad Wolf; S4C; British Council Wales; Gorilla Group; Pinewood Studios; Attitude Magazine; Diva Magazine; Movie Marker; The Ministry Venues, and Transport for Wales. The festival also works in partnership BAFTA Cymru, Pride Cymru, and Visit Cardiff.
