With a new wave of anti-trans laws sweeping across the United States and the European Union, it’s more important than ever to highlight transgender and non-binary stories in the media. The importance of telling these stories is paramount. Research shows that when people outside of a marginalized community can see the value of that community – even if that value is shown through a fictional narrative – it has an impact on the civil rights of the community and on people’s ability to support marginalized people. seen in positions of power (in real and fictional worlds).
In furtherance of that goal, today, the nonprofit Sundance Institute shared the names of the six transgender storytellers of color selected for the second edition of the Trans Possibilities Intensive. The selected Fellows for 2023 are: Seyi Adebanjo, Rajvi Desai, Malik Ever, Nick Janaye, Jamie John and Tee Park Jaehyung. This year’s creative advisors include Sydney Freeland (Drunktown’s best), Aitch Alberto (Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets of the universe), Felix Endara (UNSEEN) and Chase Joynt (framing Agnes).
The Trans Possibilities Intensive is a three-part event taking place March 27-29 led by Moi Santos, Founder of the Trans Possibilities Intensive, guidance from experienced creative advisors, and the Sundance Institute’s Equity, Impact, and Belonging Program. The Intensive is a supportive environment for participating artists to improve their voice and craftsmanship, nurture relationships with each other and overcome the obstacles that continue to exclude transgender artists. Established in 2021, the unique program directly supports transgender artists of color through project-based grants and supports the progression of trans-led projects through all stages of their lifecycle; nurturing and identifying emerging trans talent; and year-round tailored creative and professional development opportunities.
“Meaningly supporting and advancing trans people, voices and stories remains a priority for Sundance. The recent, incessant and baseless research is nothing new for trans people, further reflecting the need for opportunities for trans people to have the autonomy to express their transness in their own way. own terms,” Santos said. “This year’s cohort elevates an expansive and vital array of artistic approaches, stories and experiences, and we look forward to developing a relationship that will bring creative opportunity, risk-taking and necessary change to this industry.”
Fellows selected for the Trans Possibilities Intensive 2023
Read more about the Fellows selected for the Trans Possibilities Intensive 2023 below:
Seyi Adebanjo (director) with Afromysticism (UNITED STATES): Afromysticism is a lyrical documentary accompanied by four LGBTQ Yorùbá practitioners about the waters of Nigeria, USA and Brazil reclaiming lost mythologies such as deities who change gender and are born of the love of two womxn. Afromysticism weaves animated Queer & Trans Òrìṣà mythology, poetry, theater and ritual. Adebanjo is a Nigerian queer gender nonconforming artist who raises awareness of social issues through video. Seyi’s work is at the intersection of art, imagination, ritual and politics.
Rajvi Desai (Director, Co-Producer, Co-Cameraman, Editor) feat Mother white (USA): An ailing black trans matriarch struggles to instill the values of education and survival in her community before her time runs out.
Desai is a non-binary South Asian filmmaker and editor based in New York City. Rajvi’s work focuses on gender issues at the intersection of race, class and caste, both in the United States and South Asia.
Malik Ever (director/writer) with GutBucket (USA): Following the sudden death of his estranged mother, West, a 54-year-old trans man, returns home for the first time in 20 years to clean up his childhood home, where he begins to discover his mother’s secrets. Ever (they/the) is a first generation trans/non-binary queer Algerian-American filmmaker. Hailing from the theater as “a gut-wrenching and hilarious physical theater performer and writer” (Phindie), they recently graduated from the AFI Conservatory with an MFA in Directing. their short film, Gorditxpremiered at GLAFF in LA.
Nick Janaye (writer) with Dead ringtone (USA): After volunteering to prepare his father’s destination wedding, a trans man, desperate for approval, is ordered to kill a shapeshifting entity that ends up threatening the lives of those present. Janaye is an award-winning screenwriter and a graduate of the Sidney Poitier New American Film School. Known for his bold supernatural storytelling that fights marginalization, Nick is proudly gender fluid and determined to strengthen LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent and POC representation in film.
Jamie John (director/writer) with 2Spirit Water Carrier (UNITED STATES): 2Spirit Water Carrier is an experimental work that reflects Anishinaabe’s responsibility to carry water and foreign and trans-indigenous bodies. Ideas of gender sovereignty, land and queer body autonomy and gender variance found in nature and history will be communicated through moving images of bodies, gender presentation, landscapes and text. John is a two-spirit trans and queer Anishinaabe and Korean-American multidisciplinary artist (he/him and she/themme). They are a tribal citizen of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.
Tee Park Jaehyung (writer) with Fate in Sedona (USA): The lives of several transgender people in love intertwine as they travel through the Arizona desert. Park Jaehyung is a filmmaker originally from Seoul, Korea. Her filmography includes the pupal stage, winter insect summer flowerAnd Tofu. A trans woman with immigrant experience, Park’s work explores alienation, unconventional bonds and flawed female protagonists. She is also a USC Screenwriting graduate and a proud SoCal gal.