Luis Hindman’s ‘Magid/Zafar’ Crowned 2026 Winner Of Iris Prize

The organisers of the Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival – celebrating global stories and Cardiff charm are proud to announce that director Luís Hindman has won the prestigious Iris Prize supported by The Michael Bishop Foundation for his film Magid / Zafar.  The announcement was made this morning (18 October) at the BBC Cymru Wales studios in Cardiff. 

Luís Hindman (He/Him/His) is a BAFTA-nominated and BIFA-winning writer/director of South Asian and Northern Irish descent. His early short films were first recognized in 2015 when he received the One to Watch award from Into Film, sponsored by the BFI and EON Productions. The jury included Alan Parker, David Yates, and Peter Kosminsky.  

Luís spent the following years directing music videos, most notably the UKMVA‑nominated Permanent Damage project for soul‑pop artist Joesef. He returned to narrative work with Magid / Zafar (2025), backed by the BFI and FILM4 as part of the inaugural Future Takes scheme. The film premiered in competition at the 2025 BFI London Film Festival, went on to earn a BAFTA nomination, and won the BIFA for Best British Short. He is now developing his debut feature with BFI and FILM4. 

Luís’s winning film, Magid / Zafar, depicts a story unfolding amid rising tensions inside a Pakistani‑British takeaway. The film layers several conflicts — modernity versus tradition, Pakistani identity versus Western expectations — and expresses them through music, costume, and an emotionally charged narrative. As Magid confronts the future laid out before him, he must decide whether he can step away from the life he has always known, or whether the pressure of competing worlds will leave him stranded between them. 

Sara Peacock chair of the 2026 Iris Prize jury said:

“This film burst onto the screen and swept the jury along with its dynamic and energetic story. The jury praised the storytelling, which was carefully eked out through dialogue and never spoon-fed, as well as the craft that used pace and tempo to pull the audience into the characters’ emotions. A clear winner.”  

Berwyn Rowlands, Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival Director said:

“This is only the third time a British filmmaker has won the Iris Prize, so our 20th anniversary feels like the perfect year to celebrate another home-grown winner. In truth, though, Luis Hindman’s powerful short, Magid / Zafar, would have been a worthy winner in any year.”  

Three films were also given a special mention: 

A Cappella | Marcin Kluczykowski (Poland, 2024).   

Karol and Henryk are a long-time elderly couple, but outside their apartment, the two men pretend to be single. One day, they receive an invitation that shakes their meticulously hidden everyday life.   

“The jury was delighted to see an established older couple being represented, and felt this film portrayed the realness of a relationship in its beauty and mundaneness. Beautiful cinematography, subtle storytelling, excellent performances and moments of truth that connected with many of us.”  

Black Shawl  | Kamila Boichenko (Poland, 2025) 

Lesya is living in a refugee camp, where she reconnects with her old friend Maria, who, like Lesya, is haunted by the loss of a loved one. As their bond deepens, the women find solace in each other’s shared grief.   

“This was a film that created a lasting impression on a number of the jury. It was a story that skilfully wove threads of war, desire and sexuality to create a story that felt universal despite its unique setting.”  

Seahorse | Leo Tabosa (Brazil, 2024) 

On the eve of the Feast of St. John, Francisca, who is a widow about to turn 75, is on the verge of exploding like fireworks.   

“This was a beautifully crafted story that negotiated its subject matter with a light touch, moving away from trauma towards love and acceptance. Many felt this was a heartwarming story we hadn’t seen before, made with the right beat and pace, and an absence of melodrama or cliché.”