Trans Film Mentorship
Trans Filmmaker Summit
The most fun you'll have at TIFF.
"A trans oasis!"
- Jane Schoebrun, director of Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma
Our signature one-day event is the only one of its kind at a premiere festival - a dedicated space for trans and non-binary creators to connect directly with producers and collaborators, access tangible opportunities that support long-term career growth, and have fun with trans and queer community!
The Short Film Pitch Competition
Emerging trans and non-binary filmmakers present their projects for the chance to win cash prizes and in-kind resources to advance their work, with over $130,000 in prizes awarded since 2024
A Curated Networking Space
Dedicated time for attendees to build meaningful relationships that can open doors to future collaborations, mentorships, and career opportunities.
The Barrier Breaker
Award
An award to celebrate a trans trailblazer whose work is reshaping the landscape of film and television. Past recipients include TS Madison (Ru Paul’s Drag Race), Zaiba Baig (Sort Of), Nava Mau (Baby Reindeer) and Zackary Drucker (Enigma).
Our 2026 Summit Recap
The 2026 Trans Filmmaker Summit returned with all its usual celebration and fanfare, but this year’s summit marked an important milestone: our fifth birthday! In celebration, we pulled out all the stops to give attendees a summit they’ll never forget.
The Short Film Fund Pitch Competition was presided over by an esteemed panel of judges: award-winning actor, writer, and director Connor Jessup; actor and Good Girl Productions founder Tommy Dorfman; and DJ, filmmaker and internet sensation Star Amerasu.
Juliet Belisario was named this year’s winner for her film For Now, We’re Here, a moving story about an eleven-year-old girl being placed in a foster home where she discovers an unexpected sense of family.
Beverly Glenn-Copeland received the CMF Barrier Breaker Award for his work (description) and when accepting the award, shared his rendition of (song) with the audience.
We can’t wait to do it all again next year!
