About
Gender Reel, is an annual, national event dedicated to enhancing the visibility of gender non-conforming, gender variant/queer and transgender people, identities and experiences. Our goal is to empower filmmakers and performance artists to create work reflective of this mission by providing an accessible and embracing media platform where this work can be displayed.
History
Gender Reel, is a festival for the community, by the community!
In October 2010, two Gender Reel organizers embarked on a brainstorming process about ways to enhance the visibility of gender non-conforming and transgender people (GNC&T). We were simply not seeing the images we wanted to see in more mainstream GLB*T*Q film and art festivals around the county and wanted to do something to change that.
After coming up with a name for the festival, and talking about the concept at greater length, we felt it was important to extend an invitation to others who might be interested in helping organize and create—what we believe would be—an amazing event!
On December 28, 2010, Gender Reel held its first Organizers meeting. At that time, nine individuals came together, and hashed out their personal concepts and ideas about what a festival like Gender Reel might look like. It was at this point—as a result of the amazing energy circulating in that room—when Gender Reel was officially born.
In addition to being committed to visibility, accessibility, awareness and empowerment, Gender Reel, is dedicated to diversity in terms of the filmmakers and performance artists who submit work, as well as the kind of things that will be displayed at the festival.
So far, Gender Reel has held two successful and well-attended festivals in Philadelphia, PA in 2011 and 2012. To expand on these efforts and enhance participation, the 2013 film and performance festival is moving from a regional event to a national one.
Film events are scheduled to occur in Philadelphia, PA, Minneapolis, MN, Oakland, CA and Portland, OR.
Our Non-profit Status:
In Feb 2012, Gender Reel's Board started the process of submitting all necessary paperwork needed to become a non-profit organization. While we recognize this process takes a while, we are committed to getting it done. Over the next year, we will post details about this process on the website in an effort to keep all GR supporters updated about our non -profit status.