Mainstream media representations of trans people tend to rely on narrative and documentary forms that often tirelessly depict one-dimensional medical and social transition stories. Challenging this myopic vision, this program features an eclectic mix of experimental films made by trans, Two-Spirit, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming artists that offer aesthetically innovative meditations on intersections between art, politics, and embodiment. Curated by Andrew Robbins and Kai Tillman.

Andrew Robbins (he/him) is based in Portland, Oregon. He is a film festival programmer, a guest curator with the Transgender Media Portal, and currently finishing a PhD in Media Studies at the University of Oregon. Writing a social history of the San Francisco Transgender Film Festival (SFTFF), which debuted in 1997, he considers in his research how punk and queer sensibilities have informed SFTFF’s exhibition culture and investments in queer and trans liberation. Inspired by SFTFF’s do-it-yourself approach to film exhibition, Andrew co-founded Rewire Film Festival in Oregon in 2019.

Kai Tillman (he/they) is a trans/genderqueer cinematographer, director, and audio engineer. They have used filmmaking to combine their love of storytelling, photography, and the acoustical world. Kai’s films are often used to create awareness about specific issues and to promote respect for difference. They have been honored to be a selected participant in the Filmando en Cuba workshops with Abbas Kiarostami in 2016 and Werner Herzog in 2017. Their short films have been screened in over 30 film festivals internationally, including Locarno Film Festival, Outfest LA, Fringe Film Festival, and Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal.

Join us after the program for a prerecorded Q&A with the filmmakers.

Presented with support from Myrna Rugg and Rick Cronn