We are moving stories

“We made the film because there is still lack of awareness about non binary trans issues. We live in a world that is obsessed with binaries, and as non binary people we face a lot of social and legal challenges because of our identity. We made the film to highlight these issues and give people a human reference point to what it is to be non binary.”

“Often films on trans people focus on the hardships and how people hate their bodies, so we wanted to make something different, and send a different message. We want trans people to celebrate the things that make them trans instead of feeling a sense of shame for themselves and their body.”

“Spaceship explores the intimate bond of a mother-child relationship in combination with a society that invalidates Maria’s capacity for being a mother. Maria is on a quest to find a place that acknowledges her existence.”

“Ultimately, FQC is a reprieve from the often monolithic depictions of trans women of color into a more light hearted, fun, and fab tone. The series not only explores how identity affects how often very simple everyday experiences that most people take for granted can become a minefield of adventure, mishaps, or barriers to these characters goals in a way TV hasn’t seen before, but also serves as a platform for Black, Midwestern trans women to tell their own stories in their own way both in front of and behind the camera.”

“I made this film because there’s been a lot of media attention to the transgender experience - but it’s all been very glitzy. The women whose stories I ultimately told in this film represent a much different reality - and I feel a much more honest one. These were voices that needed to be heard. I made this film because it was too beautiful and poignant story not to be told. I just happened to be there and see it. ”

“We were immediately so inspired by Evan, an out trans woman, winning homecoming queen! When I was in high school, I was deeply closeted, and would never have been able to imagine something like this happening. So the fact that Evan was not only able to be out, but that she received enough support from her peers to be elected homecoming queen, was mind-blowing in the best way.”

“This film is born of my friendship with Dandara during my first stint living in Rio de Janeiro. She was living in a transitional housing for trans folks that is run by the subject of my current feature, a powerful trans politician named Indianara Siqueira. Trans women of color in Brazil are facing devastating challenges and also forming part of an increasingly visible movement. I felt (and still feel) that I will do whatever it takes to amplify the voices of these powerful people in their struggle for recognition and security in Brazilian society. ”

“How are we failing trans women and men at home and worldwide? How can we help?”

“From an early age Cambodian Sou Sotheavy (born 1940) knew she was different from her 15 siblings. Though born a boy, she thought of herself as a girl. At the age of 14, her mother chased her out of her countryside home. Sotheavy sought refuge in the capital Phnom Penh, struggling to survive. She began offering herself for sex.

It was the start of a lifetime career in prostitution in one of the poorest countries in the world, ravaged by Pol Pot’s genocide and decades of civil war. Just for being different, Sotheavy was later imprisoned, tortured, raped, forcibly married, and constantly singled-out – until she found the strength to fight back in order to find her place within society. This incredible story of empowerment is told for the first time in SOMEWHERE UNDER THE RAINBOW.”

“We recently screened at Sidewalk Film Fest where seemingly everyone in the crowd came from a baptist family or had a parent/grandparent who was a preacher - and it was unbelievable to see how their language has slowly started to shift - from completely not understanding the first thing about being transgender, to now starting to realize there is no reason to fear or hate trans people, and they can walk along with God the same as they do.”

“My favorite review as by Lavender magazine; it reads, in part: “The art of female impersonation is reported on with gritty vibrancy, showbiz pizzazz, and erotic splendor in a new documentary titled The Queens…As we watch them meticulously prepare to perform and self-display in their dressing rooms, we witness artists in process with a purpose. They glory in the unfolding transformation and sometimes at great sacrifice and expense…This documentary entertains, informs, and ignites the imagination. The lines between male and female are sculpted into new forms.”

“We discover the discrimination, ostracism and violence that the LGBTQ community has to face within French Guiana, and how it’s difficulty to be who you want to be, to live your life as you want, to free yourself from the codes of genders and sexuality of your society, it’s a universal fight.”

“Our film’s message is meant for everyone. Each viewer will take something different from the experience based on where they are/where they’re from. We want it to reach parents in order to help guide them towards following their child’s lead. We want it to reach the parents of trans children so that they see how they should act when their child is transgender. We want it to inspire young trans kids to feel better and know that they are loved. We want it to reach all kids, so that when they do encounter a trans person in their life, they treat them like any other kid.”

“I made this film because I saw teenagers performing outside of my daily commute on the way home. I thought about how hard it can be for teenagers that identify as transgender and wanted to tell a story based around this idea. I wanted it to be real and personal, and invite the viewer to ask questions as opposed to giving them answers.”

“When I was in high school, I watched two of my peers physically assault a classmate. My bold, fearless classmate tried to take on the two aggressive boys, but they were too much for her to handle. I was too afraid that the boys would target their aggression at me if I interjected. The girl that they attacked was named Brittany. Before my junior year of high school, Brittany’s name was Brandon. When Brittany came to school at the beginning of junior year and announced that she was trans she was isolated, judged, ridiculed, and frequently experienced violence from our peers.

Brittany dropped out of school halfway through our junior year. When I returned home during my sophomore year of college I asked a mutual friend about Brittany. He told me Brittany was killed by a guy that she was dating. It’s been years since Brittany’s murder and I’m still trying to process her death and why she was killed.

This short film is about Brittany and all of the other people that are killed because of who they are. I want to use this short film to question how gender and sexual identities exist in the African-American community.”

“This film was made with love. I think it shows a very personal side of the transgender experience that isn’t often looked at in film, and rarely in animation.

I made this film for my little brother. He deserves to know just how much he’s accomplished, and I hope that other transgender youth that see my film can relate and see hope for the future.”

“One of the kids featured in this film is my daughter. So there is the personal theme of me as a mother fighting for the life and future of my own child. I think that part is very easy for any parent to relate to. The film also has the universal themes of people striving for equality and justice, and of overcoming and defeating one of the most detrimental causes of bigotry: fear. ”

“ I hope that my film can help kids who are feeling similar to Aiden when he was in high school, to find acceptance within themselves and give them the confidence to surround themselves with people who respect them because that is what everyone deserves.”

“Eight years ago, I met a trans youth while working as a school social worker, and was very moved by her depth, resilience and self-awareness. Some part of me filed away that sense of her complexity, and it stayed with me for several years until I felt moved to begin an exploration of younger trans identity in Austin, Texas. ”

“This movie is a little miracle for me. The biggest theme of the movie is to let your voice shine. Coming from conservative Russia, it was crucial for me to be able to make this movie and stand up for my believes. On the universal level I believe it is very important for everyone to trust their feelings and let their voice to be heard.”