We are very pleased to announce that transgender film festival Transforming Cinema has been given the green light.
Earlier this year we campaigned to get funding for transgender film festival Transforming Cinema but despite great support from across the country we were unfortunately unsuccessful in getting securing the grand prize at the time. However, we are extremely pleased to announce that we have now secured funding from The Big Lottery Fund that enables us to go ahead with the project anyway, albeit on a smaller scale.
What is Transforming Cinema?
Born out of our previous projects E.D.E.N Action! and Trashing Transphobia, Transforming Cinema aims to create a trans focused film festival giving transgender and gender nonconforming people a platform to broadcast their voices and stories.
Why is this important?
In the past few years we have seen press cover the stories of transgender and gender nonconforming people more regularly but there is still a lack of understanding in society at large. Mainstream films rarely touch upon this subject and trans people are suffering because of the widespread ignorance and negativity that often surrounds their depiction in the media.
Depression, self-harm and suicide are some of the issues that affect trans people to a much higher rate than non-trans people; media representation is low and the messages we do hear are negative, unhelpful and even harmful.
Transforming Cinema will challenge this as we launch a national film festival that champions trans people, films and stories.
What will E.D.E.N do?
We are going to provide basic filmmaking training as well as a pitching session for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community to put forward ideas. From here we are going to mentor three groups that will produce films that will be submitted to the film festival.
How do I get involved?
Keep an eye on Transforming Cinema on Facebook and on E.D.E.N’s website to find out more about how to get involved in the film training, pitching, making and submitting films to the festival. There will also be opportunities for volunteers to gain excellent experience, working at the film festival.
Transforming Cinema will go ahead on Transgender Day of Remembrance on the 20th of November 2016.
