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Resources for BIPOC trans filmmakers

Comfrey Films

Comfrey Films (previously House Of Pentacles) is a Film Training Program and Production House designed to launch Black trans, gender non-conforming, and intersex (TGNCI*) storytellers into independent filmmaking and to tell stories woven at the intersection of being Black and TGNCI*.

Wahala

The Wahala Film Fund is a completion fund for short films (max 40 minutes) by Queer, Transgender and Intersex People of Colour filmmakers based in the UK, Europe and the Global South.

Black Trans Femme Artist Collective (BTFA)

The BTFA connects Black trans femme artists with each other and with the larger art community. We organize events that exclusively cater to Black trans femme artists such as artist meetups, workshops and lectures. We also curate art showcases, featuring Black trans femme artists, that are open to a larger public audience. Based in New York City.

Black Public Media

Black Public Media supports the development of visionary content creators and distributes stories about the global Black experience to inspire a more equitable and inclusive future.

Project Involve

Run by Film Independent, this project works to build a more inclusive and equitable film industry by supporting emerging filmmakers from communities underrepresented in film and entertainment. Project Involve provides hands-on filmmaking experience from inception to completion. Participants are paired with mentors and receive personalized guidance to help move their projects and careers forward.

Filmmakers Without Borders (FWB)

FWB is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to empowering the next generation of digital storytellers. FWB filmmaking grants provide funding and support for independent filmmakers to share their stories. Funds are available for narrative, documentary, experimental, and new media projects in various stages of production.

Diversity Development Fund (DDF)

The DDF is looking for exceptional stories by filmmakers from diverse backgrounds. They are committed to supporting producers of color and creating public media programming that is truly inclusive. The DFF gives producers of color up to $35,000 in research and development funding so you can develop your documentary for public media. The documentary can be on any subject, viewpoint or style as long as it is in development or pre-production.

The Disruptors

The Disruptors is a fellowship supporting emerging television writers of color who identify as transgender, non-binary, disabled, or undocumented/formerly undocumented. Fellows are provided with a stipend, mentorship, and professional development. The program is based in Los Angeles.

General BIPOC Trans Resources

For the Gworls (FTG)

For the Gworls (FTG) is a collective that raises housing and medical funds for Black trans people.

Trans Woman of Color Collective (TWOCC)

There is a critical need for trans youth of color led initiatives that cultivate affirming spaces for our communities to engage in healing and restorative justice.

Black Trans Travel Fund

The Black Trans Travel Fund is a grassroots, Black Trans led Collective, providing Black transgender women with financial and material resources needed to remove barriers to self-determining and accessing safer travel options.

National Black Trans Advocacy Coalition

Established in 2011, the National Black Trans Advocacy Coalition is a social justice organization led by black trans people to collectively address the inequities faced in the black transgender human experience.

The Okra Project

The Okra Project is a collective that seeks to address the global crisis faced by Black Trans people by bringing home cooked, healthy, and culturally specific meals and resources to Black Trans People.

Resources for Trans Filmmakers

Transgender Film Center

The Transgender Film Center’s Trailblazer Grant provides start-up and completion funds for narrative or documentary projects written, directed, or produced by transgender creators.

GLAAD Media Institute

GLAAD has learned a lot since its founding in 1985 about the media’s role in changing hearts and minds. GLAAD demonstrated not only media’s powerful influence—impacting how people treat others, how they vote, and their daily decisions—but our own authoritative potential to lead the conversation, reshape the narrative, and ultimately, change the culture. The GLAAD Media Institute offers consulting, training, and research in order to help uplift the voices of marginalized LGBTQI.

Pinkstart

Pinkstart isa crowdfunding platform designed to cater to the LGBTI community as a way of funding various projects including film.

Outfest

Outfest creates visibility for diverse LGBTQIA+ stories and empowers storytellers, building empathy to drive meaningful social change. Our tentpole film festival programs and digital channels includes the Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival, the Outfest Fusion People of Color Film Festival, OutfestNow and OutfestAlwaysOn, our filmmaker and talent mentorship and education programs and courses, the Outfest Screenwriting Lab, our Trans Acting Fellowship, and the Outfest UCLA Legacy Project (film archive and restoration program).

Frameline Completion Fund

The Frameline Completion Fund provides grants to emerging and established filmmakers. This program seeks to provide a much-needed source of financial contributions to artists who often struggle to secure funding to complete their works. Grants up to $5,000 are available for the completion of films that represent and reflect LGBTQ+ life in all its complexity and richness.

Horizon Foundation

Horizon offers numerous platforms for support and funding. Filmmakers can apply for the LGBTQI Film Funding Initiative Grants, which brings together donors interested in funding LGBTQI film in order to find out about current projects, discuss their merits with each other and film experts, and find a community of similarly interested donors.

Trans Film Mentorship

Create work and mentoring opportunities for trans and non-binary filmmakers. They are focused on emerging and entry-level professionals and also run events. Most of their opportunities seem to be in Ontario.

Fatales Forward

Fatales Forward offers fellowships for emerging trans filmmakers working on their first or second feature films. Fellowships include mentorship, peer connections and a stipend. The program is open to people living in the United States.