This intimate documentary is an interwoven coming of age story of seven trans young adults in the southern city of Austin, Texas.

Interview with Director/Producer Rebecca Adler

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I have always been interested in adolescence and the burgeoning sense of identity. 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.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

My wish is that this film will be an entertaining, insightful and emotional experience for the viewer. The intention was to spend unmediated time with each subject, and through the sharing of space, strengthen a sense of empathy and respect for both the complexity and simplicity of gender identity. In life, it's not always possible to travel deeply with others, and documentary film gives you a free pass to spend time with a person insofar as they let another person in. It is a gift to see people undefended throughout time, being honest and vulnerable and this film attempts to share that.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

The larger themes center around identity and how we manage differences. How can we come to know ourselves and each other as deep, complex beings who defy stereotypes.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

The film evolved quite a bit as the lives of the subjects were changing. There was no end point in sight, other than the need to not film people forever. Helping to sculpt the trajectory of a person's life in a documentary takes some time I discovered, that the evolution is most seen in retrospect, ie during the editing process. I have read several filmmakers stating that the scriptwriting for a documentary in really in the editing, and it is true.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

People have been quite moved emotionally, and communicated having more connection to trans younger people, more understanding. People have commented upon enjoying the humor along with the sensitivity of the subjects. People expressed concern for how everyone is doing and often attracted to one specific person and identifying with their journey.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

Was pleasantly surprised with the level of emotional response by some people unfamiliar with transgender identity. Helps me to believe in people's ability to build empathy when exposed to compelling people.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

Would love to connect more with people interested in the film, have more exposure and continue discussions about trans identity.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

All of them!

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have? Would like people to reflect upon their own fear and biases about gender, and hopefully grow in awareness about trans identity. Celebrate the subjects in the film and all of their brilliance, but I am definitely biased!

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

How is a parent supposed to act when a kid comes out as trans? What are the fears of our society that we need to address in order to create a better world for our trans youth? At what point does a parent abandon a child? How long and hard should the offspring work for familial acceptance? What builds resilience and what hinders?

Would you like to add anything else?

Thanks for including us!

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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Trans Youth

This intimate documentary is an interwoven coming of age story of seven trans young adults in the southern city of Austin, Texas.

Length: 84 mins

Director: Rebecca Adler

Producer: Rebecca Adler

Editor: Tony Costello

About the writer, director and producer:

Rebecca Adler is clinical social worker and filmmaker. This is her first documentary and she has already started filming at an LGBTQ youth shelter in Atlanta.

Tony Costello studied film at the Art Institute of Chicago and got his MFA from UT- Austin. He is currently working on his documentary about change and rites of passage as explored through the last high school football game of the year.

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/transyouthdoc

Other: www.transyouthdoc.com

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?

Wicked Queer and Charlotte Film Festival and more being secured