Transgender film festivals fulfill important cultural roles in our society by creating a stage for filmmakers from around the world to showcase their short and feature length films and network with others in the industry; by reflecting the identities, challenges and triumphs of trans and gender-nonconforming people; and by helping mainstream audiences appreciate and recognize transgender identities and issues through the film medium. While queer and LGBT film events are much more predominant on the festival circuit, there is a growing number of vibrant trans film festivals that are captivating movie lovers of all persuasions. Here’s a list of upcoming trans film festivals, plus others to keep an eye on for 2014.
Upcoming Trans Film Festivals
Gender Reel Festival
September 19-21, 2013
Portland, OR
Oakland, CA
Minneapolis, MN
Philadelphia, PA
The first and only film and performance art festival dedicated to enhancing the visibility of gender non-conforming and transgender people to take place in four cities across the U.S.
The San Francisco Transgender Film Festival
November 8-10, 2013
San Francisco, CA, US
3 days of screenings, founded in 1997.
Transgender Film Festival
November 16-17, 2013
Salem, Tamil Nadu, India
15 to 20 short films
Jointly organized by Nadodi Film Society and Bharathi Kannamma Trust.
LA Transgender Film Fest
November 2013
Los Angeles, CA, US
Founded in 2009, expanded in 2010 and again in 2011 to include a full day of screenings, plus an awards show. The 2012 festival featured three days of film screenings.
Trans Film Festivals From Earlier This Year
Watch for these trans film festivals to return in 2014!
1st Sydney Transgender International Film Festival
March 18-20, 2013
Sydney, AU
Australia’s only film festival dedicated to Transgender film producers and content providers from around the world.
2014 date: March 23-25
Transgender Film Festival
March 21 – 23, 2013
Kiel, DE
Divergenti Festival del Cinema Trans
May 2-5, 2013
Bologna, IT
Italy’s first and only trans film festival.
TransScreen: Amsterdam Transgender Film Fest
May 8-12, 2013
Amsterdam, NL
Translations: Seattle Transgender Film Festival
May 9-12, 2013
Seattle, WA, US
8th annual
Queer Film Festivals
The queer film festivals that screen trans films are too numerous to mention. Festivals like Boston’s LGBT Film Festival in May (which featured trans programming co-sponsored by MTPC), Vancouver’s Queer Film Festival in August, and the Chéries–Chéris festival in Paris in October are just a few examples. For more, see The Big Queer Film Festivals List and FilmFestivals.com.
Notable Mention: While not exactly a festival, Toronto’s TransFilmSeries showcases works created by, starring, and/or speaking to the politics of trans communities.
Know of any other Trans Film Festivals? Leave a comment below!
MEDIA RELEASE
November 03, 2014 ~ Source: STIFF
Sydney Transgender International Film Festival (STIFF) will be celebrating its 2nd edition at Red Rattler Theatre in Marrickville during December 03 and 10, 2014!
‘STIFF 2014 received over 300 short and feature films from 21 countries, which is a staggering number for its second edition!’ Says Vahid Vahed (Festival Curator)
In the line up of this year’s event, there will be 3 feature films from Denmark, Pakistan and USA as well as 14 short films from Australia, Canada, Germany, India, Macedonia, UK, Ukraine and USA. The selection includes many World, International, Asia-Pacific and Australian premieres.
‘The selection committee panel consisted of members from Transgender communities in Sydney being totally aware and up to date with Transgender social and political developments and representations locally and globally.’ Vahed Says
Among the very best of selected films ‘Hide and Seek’ by Saadat Munir a co-production between Denmark and Pakistan is a heart throbbing and award winning feature documentary showing the secret, yet open lives of a group of Pakistani sexual minorities, raising questions about transgender activism, religion, underground gay life, social acceptance and collective familial customs of Transgender in urban Pakistan. Also, showcasing features entitled ‘The Last Gospel of the Pagan Babies’ by Jean Donohue and ‘Vagine Regime’ by Erica Tremblay from USA, all Australian Premieres.
‘It would have been great to have included more feature films especially a documentary entitled ‘The Sisterhood’ by Roger Horn from South Africa and many more wonderful shorts but due to lack of space and time, we were unable to do it! This edition is a shout out to all STIFF 2014 submissions! Hopefully, we would be able to include some of those titles in special screenings or Travelling Festival throughout the year.’ Vahed says
STIFF 2014 presents a series of award winning shorts such as; ‘Call Me Barbara’ by Ana Jakimska from Macedonia, ‘Fragile’ by Rungano Juliana Mango & Rudo Juliet Mango from Australia , ‘Darkness’ by Simon Savory from UK , ‘BrocKINGton’ by Sergio Ingato, Maggie Sloane and Mason Sklut as well as ‘Two Spirits’ by Danielle Villegas from USA. Also, World Premiering ‘Stop Outing!’ by Nelson Pena entirely shot on iPhone about being ‘outed’ at work after confiding in a co-worker that she is a Transgender woman.
‘This is an Australian premiere screen event dedicated to the Transgender communities in Sydney. It is also a platform to raise and discuss Transgender social, cultural and political issues utilizing moving images. Through this event, we aspire for cultural and curatorial exchanges with similar podiums all around Australia and beyond.’
‘STIFF 2014 is proud to have established a partnership with Transgender Film Festival community in Los Angeles (USA), Amsterdam (The Netherlands) and Kiel (Germany) as well as tilde: Melbourne Trans and Gender Diverse Film Festival holding its first edition in Melbourne (Australia) during November 21-23, 2014.’ Vahed says
STIFF 2014 is an apt event to be hosted by Red Rattler Theatre that has a reputation in supporting community and alternative artistic and cultural projects. There will be four sessions in total over two consecutive Wednesdays in December containing 18:00 – 20:00 and 20:00 – 22:00 sessions with 18+ ratings.
For more information/publicity and bookings please contact;
STIFF 2014
Vahid Vahed: Festival Curator
PO BOX 861Auburn NSW 1835 Australia
T: +61 402 707010 E: festival@cinewest.org W: http://www.cinewest.org.au