Translations: Seattle Transgender Film Festival - I Am They
I Am They is a feature length documentary that explores non binary trans issues from the personal perspective of Fox and Owl Fisher, non binary trans activists from the UK. In the film they explore issues and challenges faced by non binary trans people, such as legal recognition, language, health care and social acceptance. Despite the film being educational and exploring social issues, it is also a love story of two people from totally different backgrounds finding each other.
Interview with Writer/Director Fox Fisher and Writer Owl Fisher
Watch I Am They here:
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
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.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
It raises awareness of issues you might not be familiar with and it delves into the topic of gender and identity. Not only is it informative, but it is also personal, heartfelt and if you're already an expert on non binary identities, at least you'll get to see two non binary people and get a glimpse into their lives and struggles.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
We're only starting to see non binary people have a voice in the media and this film highlights some of the major challenges that non binary people face around the world. It ties in with the whole conversation about trans issues in general, and the backlash we are facing, both socially and legally.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
Originally we teamed up with an all female student film crew for the creation of the film, but once we got the footage and edit from them, we had to salvage what we could from it and continue filming for it as it wasn't up to the standards of My Genderation. So the film wasn't entirely by our vision and we've had to work with what we had. Originally it was only supposed to focus around the wedding side of things, but it has expanded beyond that.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
We have received an overwhelming amount of positive feedback, but as mentioned, part of the footage was filmed by the student crew and wasn't quite up to the same standards.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
We were very happy to get loads of positive feedback, and we hope that it will be a part of the important conversation that needs to be had about gender and identity.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
The aim of My Genderation has always been to get trans stories out there so that they can be heard. By having it more visible on more platforms we will hopefully spread the message and give people a human reference point to what it is to be a non binary trans person.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
There is always help needed when it comes down to distribution, because the most important thing for us is that as many people as possible see the film.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
We would like people to watch this film and understand more about non binary people, and see that we are also just people that want to live our lives as authentically as possible. We're not here to harm anyone or anything, we're simply asking to be recognised and accepted by society. We therefore hope it will foster understanding and enlighten people about what it is to be non binary.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
We think the key question centers around whether we as a society want to expand and be more accepting of diversity. Are we as a society making sure that everybody can be themselves, and if not, what can we do to change it? What can we do to change the narrative around gender?
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Currently we are working on a fictional film (based on a true story) about a group of trans people who went together on a road trip to meet with a sympathetic doctor in the 1970s. It happened during a time where trans people didn't have access to any medical care in relation to their transition, and stars 4 main characters and their stories.
Interview: April 2018
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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTIAQ+, scifi, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
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I Am They
I Am They is a feature length documentary that explores non binary trans issues from the personal perspective of Fox and Owl Fisher, non binary trans activists from the UK. In the film they explore issues and challenges faced by non binary trans people, such as legal recognition, language, health care and social acceptance. Despite the film being educational and exploring social issues, it is also a love story of two people from totally different backgrounds finding each other.
Length: 58:01
Director: Fox Fisher
Producer: Owl Fisher / Ugla Stefanía Kristjönudóttir Jónsdóttir
Writer: Fox Fisher and Owl Fisher / Ugla Stefanía Kristjönudóttir Jónsdóttir
About the writer, director and producer: Fox and Owl are non binary trans campaigners and film makers that run the film project My Genderation, that centers around celebrating the lives and experiences of trans people. Their films are made by trans people, about trans people, for a much wider audience. This is their first feature documentary, but they have created over 60+ short films, ranging from documentaries, to comedy to fiction. Their films have been shown on the BBC, Channel 4 and film festival across the world.
Key cast: Fox Fisher and Owl Fisher.
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): Distributors, journalists and buyers.
Social media handles:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mygenderation - www.facebook.com/thefoxfisher - www.facebook.com/uglastefania
Twitter: @mygenderation - @TheFoxFisher - @UglaStefania
Instagram: @mygenderation - @TheFoxFisher - @UglaStefaniaOther:
Funders: Go Fund Me.
Made in association with: Partial footage by Illuminate Films and incorperated into I Am They
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?
It will be shown in Seattle in the Translations Film Festival on the 12th of May 2018, with a Q&A afterwards.