Sav Rodgers’ documentary feature debut, Chasing Chasing Amy, is at its core a transition story. Not so much about his own transition, though it is addressed in the 95-minute movie examining the cultural and personal impact of the 1997 Kevin Smith-directed Chasing Amy. But the transitory process that is coming of age; being in love; being a fan; and perhaps most significantly, the realization that under its glitz and glamour, Hollywood is not inherently the romantic place it’s sold as onscreen.
“My mom would always say this thing to me when I was a kid, which is, ‘I need you to understand that I am just a person and your parents are just people. We’re not exceptional. We make mistakes,'” Rodgers recalls, while discussing the takeaways of his doc with The Hollywood Reporter during the film’s 2023 Tribeca Festival run.
That transitory through line is not just...
“My mom would always say this thing to me when I was a kid, which is, ‘I need you to understand that I am just a person and your parents are just people. We’re not exceptional. We make mistakes,'” Rodgers recalls, while discussing the takeaways of his doc with The Hollywood Reporter during the film’s 2023 Tribeca Festival run.
That transitory through line is not just...
- 6/19/2023
- by Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
In 1997, director Kevin Smith told a story about a comic book artist, played by Ben Affleck, who falls in love with a lesbian, played by Joey Lauren Adams. The film, “Chasing Amy,” became a cultural touchstone for indie filmmaking as well as LGBTQ+ representation at the time. But in the 26 years since its release the movie has come under scrutiny by Lgtbq+ critics and audiences and inspired the new documentary “Chasing Chasing Amy.”
For filmmaker Sav Rodgers, “Chasing Amy,” for better or for worse, was the film that not only sparked his desire to be a filmmaker but made him feel seen in a time when representation was so meager. “I got older and I went to college, and people ask you when you go to film school, ‘Hey, what’s your favorite movie,'” Rodgers told TheWrap. “I would get in these spaces with other queer people specifically where...
For filmmaker Sav Rodgers, “Chasing Amy,” for better or for worse, was the film that not only sparked his desire to be a filmmaker but made him feel seen in a time when representation was so meager. “I got older and I went to college, and people ask you when you go to film school, ‘Hey, what’s your favorite movie,'” Rodgers told TheWrap. “I would get in these spaces with other queer people specifically where...
- 6/8/2023
- by Kristen Lopez
- The Wrap
Aristotle And Dante Discover The Secrets Of The Universe to open, Chasing Chasing Amy to close Los Angeles fest.
For the first time features by trans filmmakers will bookend Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ+ Film Festival (July 13-23), with opener Aristotle And Dante Discover The Secrets Of The Universe and closing selection Chasing Chasing Amy.
Both Aitch Alberto and Sav Rodgers are alumni of Outfest’s artist development programmes. Alberto took part in the Outfest Screenwriting Lab in 2007 and has returned to mentor young filmmakers in Outfest’s programmes.
Rodgers is an alum of both OutSet – Outfest’s filmmaking lab and...
For the first time features by trans filmmakers will bookend Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ+ Film Festival (July 13-23), with opener Aristotle And Dante Discover The Secrets Of The Universe and closing selection Chasing Chasing Amy.
Both Aitch Alberto and Sav Rodgers are alumni of Outfest’s artist development programmes. Alberto took part in the Outfest Screenwriting Lab in 2007 and has returned to mentor young filmmakers in Outfest’s programmes.
Rodgers is an alum of both OutSet – Outfest’s filmmaking lab and...
- 6/6/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Outfest has lined up its opening and closing night films.
The Los Angeles LGBTQ film festival — scheduled for July 13-23 and presented by Warner Bros. Discovery and Genesis Motor America — will open with Aitch Alberto’s Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe at the Orpheum Theatre and close with Sav Rodgers’ Chasing Chasing Amy at the Montalbán Theatre.
The selections mark the first time in the fest’s history that both the opening and closing night films come from trans filmmakers. Furthermore, both Alberto and Rodgers hail from Outfest’s artist development programs. Alberto participated in the Outfest screenwriting lab in 2007 and has since served as a mentor to young filmmakers in Outfest programs, while Rodgers participated in Outfest’s OutSet filmmaking lab and mentorship program as well as the screenwriting lab in 2021.
Based on Benjamin Alire Sáenz’s young adult novel, Aristotle and Dante Discover the...
The Los Angeles LGBTQ film festival — scheduled for July 13-23 and presented by Warner Bros. Discovery and Genesis Motor America — will open with Aitch Alberto’s Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe at the Orpheum Theatre and close with Sav Rodgers’ Chasing Chasing Amy at the Montalbán Theatre.
The selections mark the first time in the fest’s history that both the opening and closing night films come from trans filmmakers. Furthermore, both Alberto and Rodgers hail from Outfest’s artist development programs. Alberto participated in the Outfest screenwriting lab in 2007 and has since served as a mentor to young filmmakers in Outfest programs, while Rodgers participated in Outfest’s OutSet filmmaking lab and mentorship program as well as the screenwriting lab in 2021.
Based on Benjamin Alire Sáenz’s young adult novel, Aristotle and Dante Discover the...
- 6/6/2023
- by Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Today, Outfest announced the Opening and Closing Night gala film selections for the 41st edition of the Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ+ Film Festival, taking place from July 13 – 23 in Los Angeles, presented by Warner Bros. Discovery and Genesis Motor America. The festival will open with Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, directed by Aitch Alberto, and the 11-day event will close with Chasing Chasing Amy, directed by Sav Rodgers. The Opening Night Gala will screen at the Orpheum Theatre, with the Closing Night Gala screening at The Montalbán Theatre.
This marks the first time in Outfest’s history that both Opening and Closing night will feature films made by trans artists, underlining the deep roster of trans, non-binary, and intersex talent working in the entertainment industry as well as the diversity of trans storytelling at this moment in history. These events also represent a homecoming for both Alberto and Rodgers,...
This marks the first time in Outfest’s history that both Opening and Closing night will feature films made by trans artists, underlining the deep roster of trans, non-binary, and intersex talent working in the entertainment industry as well as the diversity of trans storytelling at this moment in history. These events also represent a homecoming for both Alberto and Rodgers,...
- 6/6/2023
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
The first clip has been unveiled for “Chasing Chasing Amy,” which will have its world premiere at the Tribeca Festival.
In the feature documentary, Sav Rodgers takes a journey of self-discovery while making a documentary about Kevin Smith’s 1997 film “Chasing Amy” and its polarizing reputation among LGBTQ+ people. The film explores the transformational impact of the rom-com on a 12-year-old queer kid from Kansas, coming of age and to terms with his identity. For young Sav Rodgers, the cult classic became a life raft. As Rodgers examines the film and its making as a cornerstone of LGBTQ+ cinema, he finds himself at a complicated crossroads.
Participants in the film include Smith, “Go Fish” screenwriter Guinevere Turner, “Fire Island” director Andrew Ahn and “Chasing Amy” stars Joey Lauren Adams and Scott Mosier.
Rodgers said: “The journey of making ‘Chasing Chasing Amy’ has been eye-opening in so many ways. When I was younger,...
In the feature documentary, Sav Rodgers takes a journey of self-discovery while making a documentary about Kevin Smith’s 1997 film “Chasing Amy” and its polarizing reputation among LGBTQ+ people. The film explores the transformational impact of the rom-com on a 12-year-old queer kid from Kansas, coming of age and to terms with his identity. For young Sav Rodgers, the cult classic became a life raft. As Rodgers examines the film and its making as a cornerstone of LGBTQ+ cinema, he finds himself at a complicated crossroads.
Participants in the film include Smith, “Go Fish” screenwriter Guinevere Turner, “Fire Island” director Andrew Ahn and “Chasing Amy” stars Joey Lauren Adams and Scott Mosier.
Rodgers said: “The journey of making ‘Chasing Chasing Amy’ has been eye-opening in so many ways. When I was younger,...
- 6/1/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Outfest has today unveiled the lineup for the third edition of its LGBTQ+ TV festival Outfronts, a four-day virtual gathering to take place this year from June 2-5.
The lineup for the festival, aiming to highlight the diverse representation of LGBTQ+ characters on screen, includes panels with the stars of Fox’s 9-1-1: Lone Star, Max’s Our Flag Means Death and Prime Video’s With Love, as well as the creators and cast of both Somebody Somewhere (HBO) and The Other Two (Max), and the writer-director and stars of NBC’s Quantum Leap revival, who discuss its episode “Let Them Play.” Also to be highlighted is a talk with Raina Deerwater, one of the architects of GLAAD’s 2022-2023 Where We Are On TV report, as well as Ian Carlos Crawford and Monica Monroe, about the future of Lgbtqia+ representation in television.
Panels will be available...
The lineup for the festival, aiming to highlight the diverse representation of LGBTQ+ characters on screen, includes panels with the stars of Fox’s 9-1-1: Lone Star, Max’s Our Flag Means Death and Prime Video’s With Love, as well as the creators and cast of both Somebody Somewhere (HBO) and The Other Two (Max), and the writer-director and stars of NBC’s Quantum Leap revival, who discuss its episode “Let Them Play.” Also to be highlighted is a talk with Raina Deerwater, one of the architects of GLAAD’s 2022-2023 Where We Are On TV report, as well as Ian Carlos Crawford and Monica Monroe, about the future of Lgbtqia+ representation in television.
Panels will be available...
- 5/25/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Maren Morris made history Saturday night in New York City when she became the first country music artist to receive GLAAD’s excellence in media award.
During the 34th annual GLAAD Media Awards, the Grammy-winning performer was presented with the honor by Cynthia Lee Fontaine and Alyssa Edwards.
“I felt a little badass taking on Tucker Carlson for calling me a lunatic for standing up to transphobia,” Morris told the crowd while holding her trophy. “Maybe I did feel a little cool. But I don’t want to gloat. I would never insult the recently unemployed.”
The New York Hilton Midtown ballroom erupted in hoots and loud applause that made the “My Church” singer pause and smile.
The LGBTQ+ supporter famously had a war of words with the recently terminated Fox News personality when he dubbed her a “lunatic” and a “fake country music singer” during an interview with Brittany Aldean in August.
During the 34th annual GLAAD Media Awards, the Grammy-winning performer was presented with the honor by Cynthia Lee Fontaine and Alyssa Edwards.
“I felt a little badass taking on Tucker Carlson for calling me a lunatic for standing up to transphobia,” Morris told the crowd while holding her trophy. “Maybe I did feel a little cool. But I don’t want to gloat. I would never insult the recently unemployed.”
The New York Hilton Midtown ballroom erupted in hoots and loud applause that made the “My Church” singer pause and smile.
The LGBTQ+ supporter famously had a war of words with the recently terminated Fox News personality when he dubbed her a “lunatic” and a “fake country music singer” during an interview with Brittany Aldean in August.
- 5/14/2023
- by Elizabeth Taylor
- Variety Film + TV
Fire Island, Jon Stewart, We’re Here and Maren Morris were among the winners and honorees at the 2023 GLAAD Media Awards in New York Saturday, an event that doubled as a show of solidarity with the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike.
Fire Island and Anything’s Possible both shared the Outstanding Film – Streaming/TV award, with the former’s star Joel Kim Booster adding in his acceptance speech regarding the writers strike, “I hope that you’ll stand in solidarity with us as we move forward in this. Labor issues are queer issues.
Fire Island and Anything’s Possible both shared the Outstanding Film – Streaming/TV award, with the former’s star Joel Kim Booster adding in his acceptance speech regarding the writers strike, “I hope that you’ll stand in solidarity with us as we move forward in this. Labor issues are queer issues.
- 5/14/2023
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
GLAAD Media Awards, Jon Stewart Show Solidarity With Writers Strike: “Labor Issues Are Queer Issues”
The 34th annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York doubled as a show of solidarity for the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike on Saturday night, as Jon Stewart, Fire Island writer-star Joel Kim Booster, GLAAD CEO Sarah Kate Ellis and White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre all shared messages of support before and during the show.
Stewart, who won for best variety or talk show episode with Apple TV+’s The Problem With Jon Stewart, was among the night’s first winners to make a statement. The writer, producer and actor did not appear during the show to accept his award, with Alex Schmider, GLAAD’s director of transgender representation, taking to the stage to accept on Stewart’s behalf.
“Jon is a member of the WGA. He would be here otherwise,” Schmider said. “GLAAD, of course, stands with Jon and all the WGA writers. Fair pay, fair working...
Stewart, who won for best variety or talk show episode with Apple TV+’s The Problem With Jon Stewart, was among the night’s first winners to make a statement. The writer, producer and actor did not appear during the show to accept his award, with Alex Schmider, GLAAD’s director of transgender representation, taking to the stage to accept on Stewart’s behalf.
“Jon is a member of the WGA. He would be here otherwise,” Schmider said. “GLAAD, of course, stands with Jon and all the WGA writers. Fair pay, fair working...
- 5/14/2023
- by Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Movies mean different things to different people. Predicting which films will strike a chord for any individual is impossible, and some movies become more personal than others. For Sav Rodgers, Kevin Smith‘s Chasing Amy helped him discover truths he could not define. In today’s Chasing Chasing Amy trailer, we find Rodgers going on a journey of self-discovery for a documentary focusing on Smith’s confrontational LGBTQ+ romance film.
The feature documentary explores the transformational impact of the ’90s rom-com on a 12-year-old queer kid from Kansas, coming of age and coming to terms with his identity. The Kevin Smith cult classic became a life raft for young Sav Rodgers. As Rodgers examines the film and its making as a cornerstone of LGBTQ+ cinema, he finds himself at a difficult crossroads. While Sav finds Chasing Amy a gateway to becoming more comfortable with his identity, sections of the LGBTQ...
The feature documentary explores the transformational impact of the ’90s rom-com on a 12-year-old queer kid from Kansas, coming of age and coming to terms with his identity. The Kevin Smith cult classic became a life raft for young Sav Rodgers. As Rodgers examines the film and its making as a cornerstone of LGBTQ+ cinema, he finds himself at a difficult crossroads. While Sav finds Chasing Amy a gateway to becoming more comfortable with his identity, sections of the LGBTQ...
- 5/5/2023
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
‘Chasing Amy’ Doc Examines the Legacy of Kevin Smith’s Polarizing 1997 Film in First Trailer (Video)
Sometimes the cultural reevaluation of a film can go both ways: For as much as viewers can say “Yes, this movie is actually good,” they can also say “We see now it’s incredibly problematic.” Such is the case with director Kevin Smith’s 1997 feature “Chasing Amy,” which tells the story of a straight man (played by Ben Affleck) falling in love with a lesbian (played by Joey Lauren Adams).
As director Sav Rodgers’ documentary, “Chasing Chasing Amy” explores in its first trailer: Can one enjoy a film that falls into stereotypes as often as it breaks them?
“Chasing Chasing Amy” isn’t just a look at the Smith film but how it influenced Rodgers own journey of self-discovery. By looking at the film’s polarizing depiction of sexuality and gender, both in the wake of its initial release and today, Rodgers looks at how his own life has been altered.
As director Sav Rodgers’ documentary, “Chasing Chasing Amy” explores in its first trailer: Can one enjoy a film that falls into stereotypes as often as it breaks them?
“Chasing Chasing Amy” isn’t just a look at the Smith film but how it influenced Rodgers own journey of self-discovery. By looking at the film’s polarizing depiction of sexuality and gender, both in the wake of its initial release and today, Rodgers looks at how his own life has been altered.
- 5/4/2023
- by Kristen Lopez
- The Wrap
Eva Grant, Romi Kim, and Jasmine Monton sleected from pool of more than 50 emerging Bipoc, 2Slgbtqia+ film programmers.
Out On Screen and the Vancouver Queer Film Festival have named Eva Grant, Romi Kim, and Jasmine Monton as inaugural recipients of the Vqff Programming Disruptor Fellowship.
The new training and mentorship programme for emerging Bipoc, 2Slgbtqia+ film programmers considered a pool of 54 applicants. Each Fellow will receive at least 10,000 throughout the fellowship running February to August.
Spanning five phases, the initiative combines masterclasses, workshops, and hands-on experience. Speakers will include Changing The Game, Disclosure and Framing Agnes producer Alex Schmider and LGBTQ+ media advocacy organisation GLAAD.
Out On Screen and the Vancouver Queer Film Festival have named Eva Grant, Romi Kim, and Jasmine Monton as inaugural recipients of the Vqff Programming Disruptor Fellowship.
The new training and mentorship programme for emerging Bipoc, 2Slgbtqia+ film programmers considered a pool of 54 applicants. Each Fellow will receive at least 10,000 throughout the fellowship running February to August.
Spanning five phases, the initiative combines masterclasses, workshops, and hands-on experience. Speakers will include Changing The Game, Disclosure and Framing Agnes producer Alex Schmider and LGBTQ+ media advocacy organisation GLAAD.
- 2/9/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Click here to read the full article.
The pitch for high-profile skateboarder Leo Baker’s Netflix doc Stay on Board was seemingly simple: he’s trans and he’s going to the Olympics.
Yet, amid increasing interest in exploring the trans experience onscreen, the doc shatters its somewhat oversimplified hook. First, because Baker never actually goes to the Olympics — a decision viewers are taken behind the scenes of in the film. Second, because the documentary is as much a story about how skateboarding and competing for more than a decade — eventually at the top of his sport — shaped every element of who Baker could be, publicly and privately.
For as deeply personal as Stay on Board: The Leo Baker Story is, the film — directed by Giovanni Reda and Nicola Marsh — is also a sweeping look at the uniquely complicated place a professional athlete like Baker can find themselves in. When...
The pitch for high-profile skateboarder Leo Baker’s Netflix doc Stay on Board was seemingly simple: he’s trans and he’s going to the Olympics.
Yet, amid increasing interest in exploring the trans experience onscreen, the doc shatters its somewhat oversimplified hook. First, because Baker never actually goes to the Olympics — a decision viewers are taken behind the scenes of in the film. Second, because the documentary is as much a story about how skateboarding and competing for more than a decade — eventually at the top of his sport — shaped every element of who Baker could be, publicly and privately.
For as deeply personal as Stay on Board: The Leo Baker Story is, the film — directed by Giovanni Reda and Nicola Marsh — is also a sweeping look at the uniquely complicated place a professional athlete like Baker can find themselves in. When...
- 9/18/2022
- by Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Click here to read the full article.
Hosted Nonfiction Series Or Special
My Next Guest Needs No Introduction With David Letterman (Netflix)
From left: David Letterman, Julia Louis-Dreyfus in season 4 of My Next Guest Needs No Introduction With David Letterman
The fourth season of this show, hosted by a legendary five-time Emmy winner, followed the first three to a nomination in this category — but a win this year would be its first. Featuring six in-depth interviews with celebrities from Will Smith to Cardi B, it dropped in May, as recently as any nominee in the category, but this is its sole nomination.
The Problem With Jon Stewart (Apple TV+)
The Problem With Jon Stewart (Apple TV+)
This rookie show, hosted by a 22-time Emmy winner returning to television for the first time in six years, featured eight episodes highlighting social issues such as veterans’ health problems caused by burn pits,...
Hosted Nonfiction Series Or Special
My Next Guest Needs No Introduction With David Letterman (Netflix)
From left: David Letterman, Julia Louis-Dreyfus in season 4 of My Next Guest Needs No Introduction With David Letterman
The fourth season of this show, hosted by a legendary five-time Emmy winner, followed the first three to a nomination in this category — but a win this year would be its first. Featuring six in-depth interviews with celebrities from Will Smith to Cardi B, it dropped in May, as recently as any nominee in the category, but this is its sole nomination.
The Problem With Jon Stewart (Apple TV+)
The Problem With Jon Stewart (Apple TV+)
This rookie show, hosted by a 22-time Emmy winner returning to television for the first time in six years, featured eight episodes highlighting social issues such as veterans’ health problems caused by burn pits,...
- 8/17/2022
- by Scott Feinberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
When wrestler Mack Beggs stepped onto the mat to compete during his days as a high schooler in Texas, he not only faced the opponent in front of him, but often a raft of adversaries in the stands. They booed him and hurled invectives.
“I do think people hate me,” Mack says in the Emmy-nominated documentary Changing the Game. The reason? “There was a huge uproar and controversy with me being trans.”
Beggs found himself twisted into knots — not by another wrestler, but by a state imposing restrictions and regulations on the activities of trans athletes. Beggs wanted to compete against boys, but Texas refused and would only allow him to wrestle girls. When he did wrestle girls, crowds rained down abuse.
Beggs said he tried to tune that out and keep focused on the match.
“I was just like, why are you being malicious? I’m not going to feed into your negativity,...
“I do think people hate me,” Mack says in the Emmy-nominated documentary Changing the Game. The reason? “There was a huge uproar and controversy with me being trans.”
Beggs found himself twisted into knots — not by another wrestler, but by a state imposing restrictions and regulations on the activities of trans athletes. Beggs wanted to compete against boys, but Texas refused and would only allow him to wrestle girls. When he did wrestle girls, crowds rained down abuse.
Beggs said he tried to tune that out and keep focused on the match.
“I was just like, why are you being malicious? I’m not going to feed into your negativity,...
- 8/12/2022
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
The Bentonville Film Festival announces the jury prize winners for their 8th annual Festival.
The week-long Festival, led by Academy Award-winning actor and Festival Chair Geena Davis,is known for its dedication to championing female, non-binary, Lgbtqia+, Bipoc, and people with disabilities’ voices in entertainment.
Every Day in Kaimuki was awarded Best Narrative Feature with director Alika Tengan and cast in attendance. Special honors presented Fin Argus with the Rising Star Award for their truly outstanding talent that has captured the attention of both the public and entertainment and media industry, and Effie Brown with the Rising to the Challenge Award honoring her success supporting indie film projects, both on and off screen.
The 2022 Bff Jury included six experts across three categories: Narrative judges included Producer, Bird Runningwater, Actor/Filmmaker, Yolonda Ross and Producer Shrihari Sathe; Documentary judges included Emmy Award-winning actress Shohreh Aghdashloo, Producer/Distributor Karin Chien and Filmmaker...
The week-long Festival, led by Academy Award-winning actor and Festival Chair Geena Davis,is known for its dedication to championing female, non-binary, Lgbtqia+, Bipoc, and people with disabilities’ voices in entertainment.
Every Day in Kaimuki was awarded Best Narrative Feature with director Alika Tengan and cast in attendance. Special honors presented Fin Argus with the Rising Star Award for their truly outstanding talent that has captured the attention of both the public and entertainment and media industry, and Effie Brown with the Rising to the Challenge Award honoring her success supporting indie film projects, both on and off screen.
The 2022 Bff Jury included six experts across three categories: Narrative judges included Producer, Bird Runningwater, Actor/Filmmaker, Yolonda Ross and Producer Shrihari Sathe; Documentary judges included Emmy Award-winning actress Shohreh Aghdashloo, Producer/Distributor Karin Chien and Filmmaker...
- 6/26/2022
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
The Hollywood Reporter hosted the inaugural “Raising Our Voices: Setting Hollywood’s Inclusion Agenda” luncheon, presented by Walmart at the Maybourne Beverly Hills on Wednesday, April 20th.
Marlee Matlin speaks onstage during The Hollywood Reporter's Raising Our Voices
Credit/Copyright: Michael Kovac/Getty Images for The Hollywood Reporter
“Raising Our Voices” brings together the industry’s most influential and inspiring executives, storytellers and thought-leaders for a groundbreaking series of discussions on the state and future of Hollywood’s diversity, equity and inclusion (Dei) movement.
During the program, keynote speaker Marlee Matlin was introduced by Troy Kotsur. During the speech, Matlin discussed the lack of representation of the deaf and disabled community within the entertainment industry and the importance of working together to help amplify these authentic and diverse voices.
Additional key moments from the program included:
Bird Runningwater (producer and global Indigenous activist) and Crystal Echo Hawk (President and CEO...
Marlee Matlin speaks onstage during The Hollywood Reporter's Raising Our Voices
Credit/Copyright: Michael Kovac/Getty Images for The Hollywood Reporter
“Raising Our Voices” brings together the industry’s most influential and inspiring executives, storytellers and thought-leaders for a groundbreaking series of discussions on the state and future of Hollywood’s diversity, equity and inclusion (Dei) movement.
During the program, keynote speaker Marlee Matlin was introduced by Troy Kotsur. During the speech, Matlin discussed the lack of representation of the deaf and disabled community within the entertainment industry and the importance of working together to help amplify these authentic and diverse voices.
Additional key moments from the program included:
Bird Runningwater (producer and global Indigenous activist) and Crystal Echo Hawk (President and CEO...
- 4/26/2022
- Look to the Stars
With anti-trans legislation on the rise, seeing accurate and empathetic trans stories in media has never felt more urgent. In celebration of Trans Day of Visibility on March 31, Popsugar Standards and Ethics Editor Chris Roney and GLAAD Director of Trans Representation Alex Schmider are cohosting a Twitter Spaces discussion about trans representation in TV and film.
Throughout our conversation, we'll be celebrating some of the incredible trans-centered works nominated at this year's GLAAD Media Awards, taking place Saturday, April 2. From impactful documentaries like "No Ordinary Man" to binge-worthy series like Netflix's "Sex Education" and Amazon Prime's "With Love," trans stories are being uplifted and recognized for their excellence.
On Thursday, March 31, at 3 p.m. Et, you're invited to join us on Twitter Spaces along with special guests Isis King, writer and activist Raquel Willis, and stars of "The L Word: Generation Q" on Showtime Leo Sheng and Brian Michael Smith.
Throughout our conversation, we'll be celebrating some of the incredible trans-centered works nominated at this year's GLAAD Media Awards, taking place Saturday, April 2. From impactful documentaries like "No Ordinary Man" to binge-worthy series like Netflix's "Sex Education" and Amazon Prime's "With Love," trans stories are being uplifted and recognized for their excellence.
On Thursday, March 31, at 3 p.m. Et, you're invited to join us on Twitter Spaces along with special guests Isis King, writer and activist Raquel Willis, and stars of "The L Word: Generation Q" on Showtime Leo Sheng and Brian Michael Smith.
- 3/24/2022
- by Charisandra Perez
- Popsugar.com
Image Source: YouTube user Netflix
On June 19, 2020, Netflix released a documentary, Disclosure, which examines 100 years of transgender depictions in film and television. With Laverne Cox (Orange Is the New Black) as executive producer and Sam Feder as director, the documentary shows the connections between trans representation on screen, society's beliefs, and the reality of trans lives - revealing "how Hollywood both reflects and manufactures our deepest anxieties about gender."
In the wake of the backlash over Dave Chappelle's The Closer special and amid the Oct. 20 walkout from Netflix employees in support of the trans community, people are encouraging viewers to watch Disclosure in solidarity. "Today some will be boycotting Netflix in solidarity, some will be watching @Disclosure_Doc, some will be attending the rally. Above all, I hope people listen to the concerns of the employees & community, hear the challenges to do better & commit to change," Disclosure producer Alex Schmider tweeted on Wednesday.
On June 19, 2020, Netflix released a documentary, Disclosure, which examines 100 years of transgender depictions in film and television. With Laverne Cox (Orange Is the New Black) as executive producer and Sam Feder as director, the documentary shows the connections between trans representation on screen, society's beliefs, and the reality of trans lives - revealing "how Hollywood both reflects and manufactures our deepest anxieties about gender."
In the wake of the backlash over Dave Chappelle's The Closer special and amid the Oct. 20 walkout from Netflix employees in support of the trans community, people are encouraging viewers to watch Disclosure in solidarity. "Today some will be boycotting Netflix in solidarity, some will be watching @Disclosure_Doc, some will be attending the rally. Above all, I hope people listen to the concerns of the employees & community, hear the challenges to do better & commit to change," Disclosure producer Alex Schmider tweeted on Wednesday.
- 10/20/2021
- by Angela Law
- Popsugar.com
The Producers Guild of America on Monday revealed the 10 scripted producers and producing teams that will participate in its inaugural PGA Create, a lab for emerging and mid-career creative producers from underrepresented backgrounds.
The lab will be held October 25-28, during which time participants will be able to hone project pitches, attend master classes and build their network of fellow producers. PGA Create producers in both Scripted and the upcoming Documentary cycles will also be invited reconvene during the PGA Create Forum, a new event to run during the PGA’s annual Produced By Conference, to next be held in June 2022.
Google has also come aboard as lead sponsor of the PGA Create initiative, the guild said today. The company will provide resources and funding to help nurture talent. UTA Marketing repped the tie-up.
See the list of Scripted participants below.
“Google’s significant support of this important PGA initiative championing diversity,...
The lab will be held October 25-28, during which time participants will be able to hone project pitches, attend master classes and build their network of fellow producers. PGA Create producers in both Scripted and the upcoming Documentary cycles will also be invited reconvene during the PGA Create Forum, a new event to run during the PGA’s annual Produced By Conference, to next be held in June 2022.
Google has also come aboard as lead sponsor of the PGA Create initiative, the guild said today. The company will provide resources and funding to help nurture talent. UTA Marketing repped the tie-up.
See the list of Scripted participants below.
“Google’s significant support of this important PGA initiative championing diversity,...
- 9/28/2021
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
The Producers Guild of America has revealed the 10 producers and producing teams set to take part in PGA Create, its inaugural lab for emerging and midcareer creative producers that focuses on supporting producers from underrepresented backgrounds.
Set to run October 25-28, PGA Create will showcase creative producers and producing teams developing, financing and packaging scripted features and series. Participants will have opportunities to hone their project pitches, attend master classes with experienced producers and build their network of fellow producers.
The program is designed to provide touch points over the span of one year, including an invitation for participants of its Scripted and Documentary cycles to re-convene during the PGA Create Forum, a daylong new event held during the PGA’s signature Produced By Conference in June.
Lead sponsor Google will provide resources and a variety of products to help the recipients throughout their creative journeys.
Here are the producers...
Set to run October 25-28, PGA Create will showcase creative producers and producing teams developing, financing and packaging scripted features and series. Participants will have opportunities to hone their project pitches, attend master classes with experienced producers and build their network of fellow producers.
The program is designed to provide touch points over the span of one year, including an invitation for participants of its Scripted and Documentary cycles to re-convene during the PGA Create Forum, a daylong new event held during the PGA’s signature Produced By Conference in June.
Lead sponsor Google will provide resources and a variety of products to help the recipients throughout their creative journeys.
Here are the producers...
- 9/28/2021
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Outfest has announced the award winners of its 2021 Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival.
The nation’s leading LGBTQ festival ran from August 13th to August 22nd, holding its closing night at the iconic Orpheum Theatre, with Vivian Kleiman’s No Straight Lines: The Rise of Queer Comics claiming the Documentary Feature Grand Jury Prize, and Brielle Brilliant’s Firstness winning the U.S. Narrative Feature Grand Jury Prize.
For the first time ever, Outfest collaborated with IMDb in choosing Audience Award winners, selecting them based on IMDb ratings. Among other prizes and recognition, eligible Outfest Los Angeles winners received a one-year membership to IMDbPro.
The winners of the Grand Jury Prizes for Best U.S. Narrative Short, Best Documentary Short, and Best International Narrative Short all received a $2000 cash prize awarded in partnership with Entertainment Partners.
Also of note is the fact that the U.S. and International Narrative...
The nation’s leading LGBTQ festival ran from August 13th to August 22nd, holding its closing night at the iconic Orpheum Theatre, with Vivian Kleiman’s No Straight Lines: The Rise of Queer Comics claiming the Documentary Feature Grand Jury Prize, and Brielle Brilliant’s Firstness winning the U.S. Narrative Feature Grand Jury Prize.
For the first time ever, Outfest collaborated with IMDb in choosing Audience Award winners, selecting them based on IMDb ratings. Among other prizes and recognition, eligible Outfest Los Angeles winners received a one-year membership to IMDbPro.
The winners of the Grand Jury Prizes for Best U.S. Narrative Short, Best Documentary Short, and Best International Narrative Short all received a $2000 cash prize awarded in partnership with Entertainment Partners.
Also of note is the fact that the U.S. and International Narrative...
- 8/24/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
There are currently more than 100 anti-trans bills hitting stage legislatures across the country, many of them aimed at trans kids who want to participate on sports teams according to their gender identity. While this issue is getting more attention now, it isn’t new. As the new Hulu documentary “Changing the Game” shows in intimate detail, trans kids, their parents and medical professionals have been fighting constant misinformation for years.
“The responses [to the documentary] have been just astonishing,” says producer Alex Schmider, GLAAD’s associate director of transgender representation. “People are suddenly activated to want to fight for these young people to be able to participate fully in public life, which includes being able to go to school and play sports and do all the things that kids should get to do.”
“Changing the Game,” which premiered June 1 on Hulu, follows three trans student athletes. Sarah Rose is a bubbly trans girl...
“The responses [to the documentary] have been just astonishing,” says producer Alex Schmider, GLAAD’s associate director of transgender representation. “People are suddenly activated to want to fight for these young people to be able to participate fully in public life, which includes being able to go to school and play sports and do all the things that kids should get to do.”
“Changing the Game,” which premiered June 1 on Hulu, follows three trans student athletes. Sarah Rose is a bubbly trans girl...
- 6/1/2021
- by Caroline Framke
- Variety Film + TV
Atx Televison Festival has added a slew of additional titles to the lineup for its 2021 event, including Kevin Can F*** Himself, Central Park and The Good Fight.
The 2021 edition will run from June 11 to 20 and will take on a virtual format amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Like its in-person iteration, this year’s Atx Television Festival will feature industry-focused panels with a number of showrunners, executives, teasing what’s the to come in the television scene.
Prospective attendees can book their festival badges, day passes, single tickets and find more information here.
This year’s edition will spotlight a number of upcoming AMC and AMC+ projects, ranging from Kevin Can F*** Himself, Ultra City Smiths and Untitled Black Horror Anthology. Panels and Q&As will feature stars such as Annie Murphy, Mary Hollis Inboden and the creative minds of Greg Nicotero, Tanarive Due, Steven Barnes and more.
Apple TV+ will...
The 2021 edition will run from June 11 to 20 and will take on a virtual format amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Like its in-person iteration, this year’s Atx Television Festival will feature industry-focused panels with a number of showrunners, executives, teasing what’s the to come in the television scene.
Prospective attendees can book their festival badges, day passes, single tickets and find more information here.
This year’s edition will spotlight a number of upcoming AMC and AMC+ projects, ranging from Kevin Can F*** Himself, Ultra City Smiths and Untitled Black Horror Anthology. Panels and Q&As will feature stars such as Annie Murphy, Mary Hollis Inboden and the creative minds of Greg Nicotero, Tanarive Due, Steven Barnes and more.
Apple TV+ will...
- 5/20/2021
- by Alexandra Del Rosario
- Deadline Film + TV
Hulu has acquired the “Changing the Game,” Michael Barnett’s look at transgender athletes, and will premiere the film on June 1 as part of its celebration of Pride Month.
The film, which debuted at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival, follows three high school students at different stages of their athletic seasons, personal lives, and unique paths as transgender teens. Their stories span the United States, covering an array of experiences — from Sarah, a skier and teen policymaker in New Hampshire, to Andraya, a track star in Connecticut openly competing on the girls track team. The film also focuses on Mack Beggs, who made headlines when he became the Texas State Champion in girls wrestling – as a boy.
“Changing the Game” produced by Clare Tucker and Alex Schmider. Chris Mosier serves as executive producer. Music for the film is composed by Tyler Strickland. The film will debut as a director’s cut...
The film, which debuted at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival, follows three high school students at different stages of their athletic seasons, personal lives, and unique paths as transgender teens. Their stories span the United States, covering an array of experiences — from Sarah, a skier and teen policymaker in New Hampshire, to Andraya, a track star in Connecticut openly competing on the girls track team. The film also focuses on Mack Beggs, who made headlines when he became the Texas State Champion in girls wrestling – as a boy.
“Changing the Game” produced by Clare Tucker and Alex Schmider. Chris Mosier serves as executive producer. Music for the film is composed by Tyler Strickland. The film will debut as a director’s cut...
- 4/15/2021
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
When one of the teenage witches in “The Craft: Legacy” says that the ability to give birth shows that all women have some magic in them, trans actress Zoey Luna casually corrects her and says not all women have that power.
“Trans girls have their own magic too,” Luna’s character Lourdes says in passing. It’s a simple line and doesn’t directly fuel the narrative, but it clearly identifies Lourdes as trans and gives her a strong sense of agency, a rare example of positive trans representation in a studio film.
But “The Craft: Legacy” did more for Luna and the trans community than just show representation. Director and writer Zoe Lister-Jones, a cisgender woman, worked directly with GLAAD and an independent “trans consultant” named Scott Turner Schofield in making sure that the film’s dialogue, tropes and its on-set environment were all as inclusive as it could be,...
“Trans girls have their own magic too,” Luna’s character Lourdes says in passing. It’s a simple line and doesn’t directly fuel the narrative, but it clearly identifies Lourdes as trans and gives her a strong sense of agency, a rare example of positive trans representation in a studio film.
But “The Craft: Legacy” did more for Luna and the trans community than just show representation. Director and writer Zoe Lister-Jones, a cisgender woman, worked directly with GLAAD and an independent “trans consultant” named Scott Turner Schofield in making sure that the film’s dialogue, tropes and its on-set environment were all as inclusive as it could be,...
- 10/27/2020
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
With a focus on Italian films accompanying a large selection of international features, most of which are competing for Oscars, the 31st annual Palm Springs Intl. Film Festival will run Jan. 3-12.
“An Almost Ordinary Summer,” directed by Simone Godano, will kick off the festival on Jan. 3. Other Italian films to unspool are “The Champion,” “Simple Women,” “The Disappearance of My Mother,” “A Soul Journey,” “Martin Eden,” “Sole” and “The Traitor.”
The festival will close Jan. 12 with “Military Wives,” directed by Peter Cattaneo.
Last year, Psiff attracted more than 136,000 attendees and festival organizers anticipate just as many in 2020.
“Some of our guests get a chance to see 40 movies in 10 days,” says festival chairman Harold Matzner. “I don’t know how they do it, but they do, and it’s an incredible cultural experience.”
For her inaugural year, artistic director Lili Rodriguez added big awards season contenders including “Pain and Glory,...
“An Almost Ordinary Summer,” directed by Simone Godano, will kick off the festival on Jan. 3. Other Italian films to unspool are “The Champion,” “Simple Women,” “The Disappearance of My Mother,” “A Soul Journey,” “Martin Eden,” “Sole” and “The Traitor.”
The festival will close Jan. 12 with “Military Wives,” directed by Peter Cattaneo.
Last year, Psiff attracted more than 136,000 attendees and festival organizers anticipate just as many in 2020.
“Some of our guests get a chance to see 40 movies in 10 days,” says festival chairman Harold Matzner. “I don’t know how they do it, but they do, and it’s an incredible cultural experience.”
For her inaugural year, artistic director Lili Rodriguez added big awards season contenders including “Pain and Glory,...
- 12/20/2019
- by Nick Clement
- Variety Film + TV
While reality dating shows like “Love Island UK” and MTV’s “Are You the One?” have embraced Lgbtq+ storylines in recent years, “The Bachelor” franchise, indisputably the blockbuster of the genre, has been far slower to adapt. Which is why a same sex story arc on “Bachelor in Paradise” has been praised by GLAAD and Lgbtq+ fans as groundbreaking. Contestant Demi Burnett came out as bisexual earlier in the season, but it wasn’t until last night that ABC introduced her girlfriend, Kristian Haggerty. Burnett’s storyline marks the franchise’s first inclusion of a same-sex relationship.
“’Bachelor in Paradise’s’ inclusion of Demi Burnett’s coming out story and her journey to accepting her queer identity is groundbreaking for the series,” said GLAAD Head of Talent Anthony Ramos in a statement. “Tens of millions of people around the world watch ’The Bachelor’ and ‘The Bachelorette’ franchises and this move...
“’Bachelor in Paradise’s’ inclusion of Demi Burnett’s coming out story and her journey to accepting her queer identity is groundbreaking for the series,” said GLAAD Head of Talent Anthony Ramos in a statement. “Tens of millions of people around the world watch ’The Bachelor’ and ‘The Bachelorette’ franchises and this move...
- 8/21/2019
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.