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The shortlist of six films competing for the first ever Iris Prize Student Short Film Award. A new category for the festival, targeting UK and Ireland based students as part of our 20th anniversary year. Also, eligible for the Iris Prize Co-op audience award.
In early-2000s China, a twelve-year-old girl joins a summer swimming class determined to reach the deep end — but she just can't let go of her float. Through an unexpected bond with a fearless classmate, she learns to overcome her fear of water — and experiences her first queer awakening.
Director’s bio
Puzhen (She/Her/Hers) is a Chinese animation director holding an MFA in Directing Animation from the National Film and Television School (NFTS). She specializes in tactile, handmade stop-motion animation, embracing innovative technical experimentation. Rooted in the Chinese female gaze, her work pursues both innocent, tender perspectives and harsh, realistic themes.

Yn Tsieina ddechrau'r 2000au, mae merch ddeuddeg oed yn ymuno â dosbarth nofio haf ac mae hi’n benderfynol o gyrraedd y pen dwfn - ond ni all hi ollwng gafael ar ei fflôt. Trwy gysylltiad annisgwyl gyda chyd-ddisgybl dewr, mae hi'n dysgu goresgyn ei hofn o ddŵr - ac yn profi ei deffroad cwiar cyntaf.
Bywgraffiad y cyfarwyddwr
Mae Puzhen (Hi/Hi/Ei) yn gyfarwyddwr animeiddio Tsieineaidd sydd â MFA mewn Cyfarwyddo Animeiddio o'r Ysgol Ffilm a Theledu Genedlaethol (NFTS). Mae hi'n arbenigo mewn animeiddio stop-symudiad cyffyrddol, wedi'i wneud â llaw, gan gofleidio arbrofion technegol arloesol. Wedi'i wreiddio yn y drem fenywaidd Tsieineaidd, mae ei gwaith yn dilyn persbectifau diniwed, tyner a themâu llym, realistig.
- Year2026
- Runtime8 minutes
- CountryUnited Kingdom
- DirectorPuzhen Zhang
- ScreenwriterNiky Pasolini
- ProducerDylan Gillah
- CinematographerMax Brunner
- EditorSuzy Shepherd
- Production DesignAna Smoleanu
- ComposerAizhana Nurkenova
- Sound DesignJingya Li
The shortlist of six films competing for the first ever Iris Prize Student Short Film Award. A new category for the festival, targeting UK and Ireland based students as part of our 20th anniversary year. Also, eligible for the Iris Prize Co-op audience award.
In early-2000s China, a twelve-year-old girl joins a summer swimming class determined to reach the deep end — but she just can't let go of her float. Through an unexpected bond with a fearless classmate, she learns to overcome her fear of water — and experiences her first queer awakening.
Director’s bio
Puzhen (She/Her/Hers) is a Chinese animation director holding an MFA in Directing Animation from the National Film and Television School (NFTS). She specializes in tactile, handmade stop-motion animation, embracing innovative technical experimentation. Rooted in the Chinese female gaze, her work pursues both innocent, tender perspectives and harsh, realistic themes.

Yn Tsieina ddechrau'r 2000au, mae merch ddeuddeg oed yn ymuno â dosbarth nofio haf ac mae hi’n benderfynol o gyrraedd y pen dwfn - ond ni all hi ollwng gafael ar ei fflôt. Trwy gysylltiad annisgwyl gyda chyd-ddisgybl dewr, mae hi'n dysgu goresgyn ei hofn o ddŵr - ac yn profi ei deffroad cwiar cyntaf.
Bywgraffiad y cyfarwyddwr
Mae Puzhen (Hi/Hi/Ei) yn gyfarwyddwr animeiddio Tsieineaidd sydd â MFA mewn Cyfarwyddo Animeiddio o'r Ysgol Ffilm a Theledu Genedlaethol (NFTS). Mae hi'n arbenigo mewn animeiddio stop-symudiad cyffyrddol, wedi'i wneud â llaw, gan gofleidio arbrofion technegol arloesol. Wedi'i wreiddio yn y drem fenywaidd Tsieineaidd, mae ei gwaith yn dilyn persbectifau diniwed, tyner a themâu llym, realistig.
- Year2026
- Runtime8 minutes
- CountryUnited Kingdom
- DirectorPuzhen Zhang
- ScreenwriterNiky Pasolini
- ProducerDylan Gillah
- CinematographerMax Brunner
- EditorSuzy Shepherd
- Production DesignAna Smoleanu
- ComposerAizhana Nurkenova
- Sound DesignJingya Li