The Trans Filmmaker Summit (TFS) has launched the Short Film Fund in partnership with Spindle Films Foundation.

The fund is aimed at supporting transgender, non-binary and gender-diverse filmmakers in taking the next steps in their career by providing resources to one filmmaker each year to complete a short film. TFS is held annually by the Trans Filmmakers Mentorship (TFM) during the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), taking place on Sept. 8 this year.

Three gender-diverse finalists will be selected to take part in a pitch competition to present their concept to a panel of industry professionals.

The winner will receive $15,000 in cash, along with in-kind donation services from Panavision, Formosa Group and Picture Shop for production and post support. The in-kind donations amount to a value of $25,000.

The inaugural fund will feature three judges, including writer, director and producer Sasha Leigh Henry (Bria Mack Gets a Life); non-binary filmmaker and writer Jane Schoenbrun (I Saw the TV Glow); and prodco Kindred Spirit producer and head creative Sam Intili (Close to You).

The Spindle Films Foundation was founded by Playback‘s 10 to Watch alum J Stevens, whose feature Really Happy Someday is world premiering as part of TIFF’s Discovery programme.

TFM has also announced that Emmy-nominated, mixed-race trans Latina actor, filmmaker and cultural worker Nava Mau (Baby Reindeer) will receive the CMF [Canada Media Fund] Barrier Breaker Award.

The award honours a trans leader who is challenging the limitations of the media industry and disrupting the system, paving the way for more and better trans representation and storytelling, according to a news release.

Image from the 2023 Trans Filmmaker Summit courtesy of TFM