Tom Cullen and Joe Locke Premiere Black Church Bay at Iris Prize Festival

Black Church Bay, a mystery-thriller crafted by Welsh-Irish director Rhys Marc Jones, was showcased at the Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival in Cardiff. During the event, lead actor Tom Cullen, 41, from Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, shared insights on portraying a closeted individual in a tight-knit community. He emphasized the importance of his role, approaching Barry with the same seriousness as any straight character. Cullen, whose debut was in the 2011 British romantic drama Weekend, noted the representation of queer cinema in both films. Jones highlighted that the script was inspired by real locations, depicting a fantasy that turns into a nightmare, with Anglesey's beauty juxtaposed against its ominous undertones. Joe Locke, recognized for Netflix's Heartstopper, found filming on Anglesey reminiscent of his Isle of Man roots. Cullen balanced filming with his work on House of the Dragon, commuting to London on weekends. Luís Hindman received £40,000 for Magid/Zafar. The festival, celebrating its 20th year in collaboration with BAFTA Cymru, was a significant milestone.