Currently starring in HBO Max's LGBTQ+ darkly comic drama series Genera+ion, created by Daniel and Zelda Barnz, Nava Mau is a trans Latina filmmaker, actress, and cultural worker. She wrote, produced, directed, and starred in the compelling and moving short film Waking Hour, that premiered at LA's Outfest Fusion in 2019 before playing at festivals... Continue Reading →
BFI Flare 2021 Film Review: AIDS DIVA The Legend of Connie Norman ★★★1/2
With an overview of the ACT UP story having been told in compelling and detailed documentaries such as Jim Hubbard's United in Anger: A History of ACT UP and David France's How to Survive a Plague, it's pleasing to now see significant members being focused on individually, such as trans trailblazer Connie Norman, a broadcaster,... Continue Reading →
Athena Film Festival 2021 Review: Julia Scotti Funny That Way ★★★1/2
Golden Globe nominated screenwriter and playwright Susan Sandler makes her feature documentary directorial debut with Julia Scotti: Funny That Way—available to watch online until March 21st as part of this year's virtual Athena Film Festival at Barnard College—a tender and heartwarming portrait of the charismatic trans comedian. If you watch America's Got Talent you'll likely... Continue Reading →
Exclusive Interview: LGBTQ drama Lupe exec producer Kerry Michelle O’Brien & star Rafael Albarrán “I identify as non-binary & all that discovery started with this film”
André Phillips and Charles Vuolo's LGBTQ+ drama Lupe follows a Cuban immigrant, Rafael (Rafael Albarrán), as she begins to embrace her identity as a transgender woman while searching for her missing sister in New York City's sex worker community. Trans artist Celia Harrison, who is a co-writer on the film, portrays the role of Lana,... Continue Reading →
LGBTQ+ highlights at virtual 2021 Athena Film Festival
The 11th annual Athena Film Festival (AFF) at Barnard College, a joint partnership between Barnard’s Athena Center for Leadership and the initiative Women and Hollywood, will take place virtually from March 1st through March 31st 2021. This year's virtual lineup includes film screenings, in-depth conversations with filmmakers and industry experts, a series of programs that... Continue Reading →
Exclusive Interview: pop star Mila Jam on her Fierce collaboration with Ultra Naté & Angelica Ross “it’s about empowerment & claiming your fierceness”
Today sees the release of electro pop anthem Fierce, a collaboration between singer-songwriter and DJ Ultra Naté, Pose actress Angelica Ross, and New York pop star and "artivist" Mila Jam. The dance track is a rallying cry, empowering listeners to be Legendary, Necessary and Extraordinary. Aiming to "enlighten, educate, and celebrate the trans community through... Continue Reading →
Exclusive Interview: Algonquin Two-Spirit trans musician Kìzis on her new album Tidibàbide / Turn “there’s a journey that I went on of sisterhood & empowerment”
Montreal-based Algonquin Two-Spirit trans musician Kìzis' monumental new album Tidibàbide / Turn : Four Spirits in Motion is released this Friday February 12th. Comprising thirty six tracks and spanning over three and half hours, the album was composed and produced in Canada, the UK, Germany and Peru and features over fifty collaborators including Cub Sport's... Continue Reading →
Exclusive Interview: Nomi Ruiz on her new movie Haymaker “we were passionate about pushing the needle forward, not only with the trans narrative, but also with cis men who are trans amorous”
Born and raised in Brooklyn, singer-songwriter, actress, and essayist Nomi Ruiz has blazed a trail as the first Latinx trans woman to perform at major international music events like the Montreax Jazz Festival, Glastonbury, and Lovebox. In 2005 she released her debut album, Lost In Lust, a gritty blend of 90s hip-hop, R&B and soul,... Continue Reading →
