Trans Film Mentorship will stage its first trans summit at TIFF on September 11 featuring trans actors and creators of films and shows at this year’s festival.
The organisation, which runs career development programming for trans and non-binary people to increase the presence of trans filmmakers, key creatives, and crew on set, will kick off with an opening address honouring trans film and talent at the festival.
Panels will address building the trans community on set with Sort Of co-creator Bilal Baig, Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story co-director and writer Lucah Rosenberg-Lee, and Something You Said Last Night writer-director Luis De Filippis.
A panel on trans actors at TIFF includes Carmen Madonia (TIFF Rising Star, Something You Said Last Night), Alina Khan (Joyland) and Miyoko Anderson (Soft).
The Trans Film Mentorship will award the first annual Trans Barrier Breaker Award to a trans leader who is actively challenging the limitations of the media industry and disrupting the system, paving the way for more and better trans representation and storytelling. This year’s recipient is TS Madison from TIFF selection Bros.
The summit is supported by TIFF, Inside Out Film Festival, Canada Media Fund, xoTO Screen Industry Pathways initiative, CBC and Ontario Creates.
“When I approached making Something You Said Last Night I knew questioning the stories we tell about trans women wouldn’t be enough, rather I wanted to question “how” we told said stories,” said De Filippis, founder of the Trans Film Mentorship.
“I wanted to ensure that other trans people were benefiting off the chance I had to tell my story in material and tangible ways. I’m so happy to see that with the support of our partners this seed of an idea has grown and continues to foster opportunities for the next generation of trans filmmakers. See you on the Tiff rooftop, dolls.”
“Inclusion on and behind the screen matters – and we have more work to do,” said Mathieu Chantelois, EVP of marketing & public affairs, CMF. “We are proud to support the Trans Filmmakers Summit and the important work they are doing to advocate, educate, and celebrate those that have knocked down barriers for others. One of many steps we must take to rethink our industry and the stories we tell.”
The summit will be held on at 2pm following the Inside Out TIFF Queer Brunch at Malaparte’s Rooftop, TIFF Bell Lightbox.
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