Short synopsis: Moving Portraits was an inclusive screen dance film commissioned by Sense and was presented as part of Birmingham 2022 Festival. It captured and shared physical stories of people with complex disabilities, the film centres on the stories of people Sense supports. Each ‘portrait’ focusses on a dancer from our diverse community of people … More
TLC (aka Tender Loving Care for Trans-Led / Trans-Loved Cinema) is a holding space for trans curators, writers and thinkers within cinema exhibition. An opportunity for the trans community and cis allies to celebrate, learn and share.
T.L.C, supported by delivery partners, writer and activist So Mayer and independent production company Aunt Nell, aims to help address the historic imbalance of trans representation on screen.
Across 2022 and 2023, a series of trans-focused film events took place across the UK as part of Inclusive Cinema’s T.L.C (aka Tender Loving Care for Trans-Led/Trans-Loved Cinema) project. There are some upcoming screenings too.
Integrated into indie cinema and festival programmes, films were screened, with Q&As and panels on diverse topics related to trans visibility in cinema, thanks to support from the BFI Film Audience Network (BFI FAN) awarding National Lottery funding. These events were recorded live and have been made into a podcast series.
Alongside these podcasts, there is a guide to Good Practice Examples for Tricky Questions. These questions and answers were created alongside and refer to the three T.L.C. podcasts and discussions around screenings.
Listen in on brilliant discussions about trans-led and trans-loved cinema, from events across the UK. Featuring tips for programmers and new discoveries for audiences: cinema for everyone.
Curated and with an extended introduction by Lillian Crawford
Screened at the Lexi Cinema in 2022. This magnificent film shines a spotlight on the ‘gay boy’ subculture of late-1960s Japan, specifically the gender-nonconforming hostesses of a Tokyo gay bar. Up-and-coming beauty Eddie and the reigning madame Leda are fighting for the attentions of the bar’s owner, Gonda. A celebration of youth and subcultures, a condemnation of intolerance, and a one-of-a-kind cinematic experience, this is a kaleidoscopic masterpiece and one of the most intoxicating films of the 1960s. Transgender actor Pîtâ gives an astonishing performance as Eddie.
In conversation with So Mayer, Alice Blanc (Trans+ on Screen) and Jaye Hudson (Fringe!), and in the cinema with Lillian Crawford, hosted by Rebecca del Tufo. Settle in for advice from So, Alice and Jaye on how to make your screenings gender-euphoric, and listen up for Lillian’s brilliant extended introduction to the legendary Japanese film Funeral Parade of Roses, recorded at the Lexi Cinema in London in July 2022.
Transcript available in downloads section.
Lillian Crawford (she/her, @lillcrawf) is a freelance film and culture writer for publications including Little White Lies, Sight & Sound, Plinth, Girls on Tops, Empire, GQ, Curzon, MUBI, Massive and BBC Culture. She is also a regular host of the Autism Through Cinema podcast and her own Substack blog and pod Listen to Lillian about queer and female representation in British cinema. She can be found on Twitter and Instagram @lillcrawf
https://www.bfi.org.uk/features/why-funeral-parade-roses-landmark-japanese-queer-cinema
Milo Clenshaw, Alchemy Film & Arts
Screened at Heart of Hawick Cinema, Hawick in July 2022. Alchemy Film & Arts presented a one-off, double-bill screening of The Making of Pinocchio (2021), Glasgow-based artists and lovers Rosana Cade and Ivor MacAskill‘s autobiographical exploration of Ivor’s gender transition, preceded by No Words (2021), a short film created as part of Alchemy’s Film Town programme by Borders-based young people to articulate the pluralities of queer existence.
Both films utilise an experimental approach to convey deeply personal messages around identity and society’s perceptions of queer bodies. Audiences were invited to attend a live podcast recording after the screening, at which the filmmakers were present to discuss the joys, challenges and complexities of trans cinema.
We head to Hawick in the Borders for an event with Alchemy Film and Arts, programmed by Milo Clenshaw. Milo’s joined by four filmmakers for a flowing, in-depth discussion of local queer and trans filmmaking after a screening of their work: artists and lovers Rosana Cade and Ivor MacAskill talk about their trans reimagining of Pinocchio, a feature film called The Making of Pinocchio; and Natalie Ferguson and Katie Somers, members of a Borders-based group of young queer neurodivergent filmmakers, talk about the group’s film No Words.
Transcript available in downloads section
Rebecca del Tufo x The Lexi
Curated by Juliet Jacques and followed by a Q&A with director Sarah Pucill, hosted by Juliet Jacques
MAGIC MIRROR, screened at The Lexi, London in September 2022 combines a re-staging of the French surrealist artist Claude Cahun’s black and white photographs with selected extracts from her book Aveux non avenus (1930, Confessions Denied). In Surrealist kaleidoscopic fashion, the film weaves images and words, exploring the links between Cahun’s photographs and writing and Pucill’s own films, as both artists share similar iconography and concerns.
Juliet Jacques (@zinovievletter) is a writer and filmmaker based in London. She has published three books and a volume of short stories, with her fourth book, Front Lines: Trans Journalism 2007-2021, due out in July 2022. She writes short fiction as well as journalism, essays and criticism on literature, film, art, music, politics, gender, sexuality and football. She has made two short 16mm films and directed a documentary.
http://www.sarahpucill.co.uk/films/magic-mirror/
We travel back to the Lexi in London for a second screening hosted by programmer Rebecca del Tufo – this time with the filmmaker in attendance! Juliet Jacques is on hand to introduce Magic Mirror, Sarah Pucill’s first film about genderqueer artists and lovers Claude Cahun and Marcel Moore, and she returns for an exhilarating deep-dive Q&A with the filmmaker after the screening. Together, Juliet and Sarah cover Cahun’s biography and artistic practice, Pucill’s experimental filmmaking practices, and theoretical questions of self, other, identity and creativity.
Transcript available in downloads section
Born To Be followed by a Q&A discussion with Laura Kate Dale in person, and joined by the film’s director Tania Cypriano and Dr Jess Ting via Zoom. The discussion was hosted by the Phoenix Cinema’s Bea Copland.
BORN TO BE, a documentary screened at the Phoenix Cinema, Orkney in March 2023, follows the work of Dr. Jess Ting (he/him) at the groundbreaking Mount Sinai Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery. There, for the first time ever in New York City, transgender and gender non-binary people have access to quality gender-affirming care.
With extraordinary access, this documentary offers an intimate look at how one doctor’s work impacts the lives of his patients as well as how his journey from renowned plastic surgeon to pioneering gender-affirming specialist has led to his own transformation.
Laura Kate Dale is an autistic trans woman, author, and activist. Her memoir, Uncomfortable Labels, focused on life at the intersection of living life both trans and autistic. Gender Euphoria, her second book, was an anthology of positive, real life, gender affirming stories from non cisgender writers. Her first children’s book, Me and My dysphoria Monster, aims to discuss gender dysphoria in child appropriate language, with illustrations to bring to life a very internal experience. Laura has helped organise trans rights protests across the UK, alongside working as an accessibility focused video game critic.
Podcast for BORN TO BE at Phoenix Cinema, Orkney, coming soon.
You can listen to all three podcasts here:
T.L..C on Podbean
T.L.C on Spotify
T.L.C on Apple
T.L.C on Amazon
The Lexi is London’s only social enterprise cinema, a volunteer-run picture palace with strong links not just to its local community but also to a unique charity project in South Africa. It has recently opened its Hub and refurbished its main screen. Join us in Kensal Rise at 194b Chamberlayne Road, London NW10 3JU www.thelexicinema.co.uk
Rebecca del Tufo is a freelance film programmer combined with roles in film production and exhibition. She led the team which set up and ran independent cinema Saffron Screen in Saffron Walden, Essex and programmed the successful cinema for over 10 years. In 2021 she co-founded the not-for-profit organisation ScreenCraft Works to support under-represented talent in behind-the-camera roles.
deltuforebecca@gmail.com
Alchemy Film & Arts is based in the Scottish Borders town of Hawick. They work with communities and artists both locally and internationally, using film as a way to come together, have conversations and make positive change. Across a year-round programme of screenings, workshops, residencies, community filmmaking and the internationally renowned Alchemy Film and Moving Image Festival, they strive to create spaces in which collective expression, creative learning and critical thinking can take place.
https://alchemyfilmandarts.org.uk
Trans+ On Screen is a directory representing trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming professionals in all areas of Film and TV, from(pre-)production to distribution. They operate as a business model which challenges industry norms, and distances itself from agency fees and tokenistic hires, in favour of a model based on care and empowerment. They prioritise and elevate voices from a community that needs to be heard (and seen), to show a revolutionising way the industry can run.
https://transonscreen.com
Alice Blanc, the founder – works at Endeavor as a Materials Executive. They are also part of the BIFA Advisory Board and the Iris Prize Film Festival Committee, and currently studying Entertainment Business and Management at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Alice has experience working in the pre-production industry and distribution, in both film & TV.
Recent years have seen the release of trans-led and trans-made indie gems from around the world such as Isabel Sandoval’s award-winning Lingua Franca, Cássio Pereira dos Santos’s Valentina, and Max Currie’s Rūrangi. At the same time, trans-inclusive TV shows such as Pose, Sex Education, Euphoria and We Are Who We Are – not to mention Drag Race and Queer Eye – compel large audiences who are passionate about trans and queer storytelling and performance. How can venues, festivals and programmers bring those passionate audiences to the cinema for unique film experiences – and ensure that brilliant films are reaching the audiences they deserve? What kinds of marketing, educational and contextual materials might venues, festivals and programmers use, and where can they find them? Which critics, publications, socials and podcasts can provide support, speakers and strong content? What sort of in-cinema or social events, online promotions or content, can support compelling films and create returning audiences?
In addition, for these films to be embraced, we need to think about making spaces feel welcoming to audiences and speakers, and safe for staff. How can venues and festivals ensure that trans audience members and staff feel safe, supported and welcome at events, in-venue and in online conversations? What kind of practical and immediate changes could be put in place to give everyone the best experience – and what sort of training or resources might best support that for venues, festivals and organisations of all scales? How can you ensure the whole team is educated and feels confident in intersectional trans inclusion, without depending on a token trans person to educate you? What can programmers and organisers do to ensure that trans speakers and other freelancers feel included and cared for? How can you create spaces to hear from trans audience members, staff and freelancers who might feel excluded from your venue and/or events, or have had negative experiences in the past, and put plans in place to address that exclusion?
We know that all of these questions and more are already being asked and answered by venues, festivals, event organisers, curators, programmers, distributors, filmmakers and audiences. We know that best practice is already happening across the nations and regions, at all scales of event – and we want you to shout about your amazing work, great ideas and brilliant teams, so we can keep growing through exchange and listening, creating a grassroots resource that everyone can learn with. That’s T.L.C.
Why the project matters The pilot challenges barriers to cinema and film faced by wider communities, and takes a bespoke approach to meeting needs which heighten the barriers during COVID. It ensures that during a time of desperation for survival in the exhibition industry, that already marginalised communities do not continue to be neglected. Aims … More
Supporting awareness of Down Syndrome through fundraising, self-advocacy, schools and business.
World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD), 21 March, is a global awareness day which has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012.
Down syndrome (or Trisomy 21) is a naturally occurring chromosomal arrangement that has always been a part of the human condition, being universally present across racial, gender or socioeconomic lines in approximately 1 in 800 live births, although there is considerable variation worldwide. Down syndrome usually causes varying degrees of intellectual and physical disability and associated medical issues.
Learning disabled people are chronically underrepresented in the film industry. This is a time to reflect on supporting learning disabled representation in the film industry as well as consider access to cinema for neurodivergent audiences.
Released on World Down Syndrome Day 2021, Amber and Me is a documentary about friendship. Amber has Down’s syndrome and is about to start school together with her twin sister, Olivia. Although at first her experience is positive, she soon starts to struggle and asks to stay at home. Olivia is keen to keep her twin sister in the same class and so begins the struggle of keeping the girls together at school. The film follows the challenges for both girls through 4 years of school and charts the changes in their relationship, uniquely from their own perspectives.
In 2019, FAN New Releases supported Signature’s title The Peanut Butter Falcon, a modern Mark Twain-esque adventure starring Shia LaBeouf (American Honey, Fury) as a small-time outlaw turned unlikely coach who joins forces with Zack Gottsagen‘s Zak, a young man with Down Syndrome on the run from a nursing home with the dream of becoming a professional wrestler.
You can now rent The Peanut Butter Falcon on BFI Player. (CC available)
My Feral Heart is a drama in which Luke (Steven Brandon), a young man with Down’s syndrome who prizes his independence, is forced into a care home after the death of his mother. There he rails against the restrictions imposed on him, but his frustrations are allayed by his budding friendships with his care-worker Eve (Shana Swash) and a mysterious feral girl (Pixie Le Knot).
BFI Player subscribers can watch the film My Feral Heart on BFI Player, or it can be purchased on DVD or through streaming services. (CC & AD available)
Oska Bright, based in Brighton is the worlds biggest learning disability film festival. Find out more about their amazing work here.
During the pandemic learning disabled and neurodiversity focused organisations kept in touch by running online activities with their members. If you are interested in running online activity you may find some helpful resources below.
If you’re interested in running a relaxed screening to help bring in Learning Disabled audiences to your cinema, find out more in our quick tips for running relaxed screenings. You may also find some transferable advice in our autism-friendly screenings guide, though bear in mind much of this advice is specific to people living with autism, not necessarily those who are Learning Disabled. Ideally, consult with Learning Disabled groups in your area for advice and expertise.
A doubleheader of educational special events from Into Film celebrating language, communication and d/Deaf cultural identity. Summary of project The central tenet of the project was to challenge the assumption that accessible cinema screenings need to be separated from mainstream programming. We promoted the events encouraging schools working with d/Deaf or hearing students to attend, … More
Learning Disability Week, taking place in the third week of June is presented by Mencap.
Learning disabled people are chronically underrepresented in the film industry. This is a time to reflect on supporting learning disabled representation in the film industry as well as consider access to cinema for neurodivergent audiences.
Oska Bright, based in Brighton is the worlds biggest learning disability film festival. Find out more about their amazing work here. Mencap community group of people with a learning disability took a look at four films which were shown as part of the Oska Bright 2024 Film Festival. You can watch the films here.
Daydream Cinema provide accessible screenings for neurodiverent and disabled audiences. The Connect With Film: Neurodivergent Short Film Programme features several films by learning disabled filmmakers, and will be screened FREE online during Learning Disability Week. Watch it here from Saturday 22nd – Sunday 23rd June 2024.
In 2019, FAN New Releases supported Signature’s title The Peanut Butter Falcon, a modern Mark Twain-esque adventure starring Shia LaBeouf (American Honey, Fury) as a small-time outlaw turned unlikely coach who joins forces with Zack Gottsagen‘s Zak, a young man with Down Syndrome on the run from a nursing home with the dream of becoming a professional wrestler. You can now watch The Peanut Butter Falcon on BFI Player.
You can also watch the film My Feral Heart on Amazon Prime. A drama in which Luke (Steven Brandon), a young man with Down’s syndrome who prizes his independence, is forced into a care home after the death of his mother. There he rails against the restrictions imposed on him, but his frustrations are allayed by his budding friendships with his care-worker Eve (Shana Swash) and a mysterious feral girl (Pixie Le Knot).
If you’re interested in running a relaxed screening to help bring in Learning Disabled audiences to your cinema, find out more in our quick tips for running relaxed screenings. You may also find some transferable advice in our autism-friendly screenings guide, though bear in mind much of this advice is specific to people living with autism, not necessarily those who are Learning Disabled. Ideally, consult with Learning Disabled groups in your area for advice and expertise.
Young people’s mental health and wellbeing has never been so important. These statistics show just how big – and growing – the problem is for young people in the UK.
360Giving supports organisations to publish their grants data in an open, standardised way and helps people to understand and use the data to support decision-making and learning across the charitable giving sector.
FAN supported BFI Musicals in autumn 2019. This was a nationwide cinema season celebrating the spectacle and craft of Musicals on film. This major season was led by BFI, Independent Cinema Office and Film Audience Network (FAN).
FAN member cinemas could access screening support to present films, mini seasons or events as part of the season. With screening support, they received help to fund their own independent programming and events plus support to do wrap around activity related to the seasons core titles.
For exhibitors who wanted to include Captioned Subtitles on their screenings, Sweet Charity was bookable from the ICO touring programme. Tommy and Singin’ in the Rain was available from the BFI.
Exhibitors who wanted to run a Dementia-Friendly screening, could take a look at our downloads section. Screenings are adapted to make the environment more suitable for people living with dementia. You can find more about running dementia-friendly screenings here. Dementia-friendly screenings are also sometimes called Relaxed Screenings, though these can also be suitable for people with multi sensory sensitivities or different conditions such as autism or learning disabilities.
Exhibitors who were interested in running a relaxed screening, could find out more in our quick tips for running relaxed screenings. There is also some transferable advice in our autism-friendly screenings guide, though bear in mind much of this advice is specific to people living with autism, not necessarily those who are Learning Disabled. Ideally, consult with Learning Disabled groups in your area for advice and expertise.
