GLAAD announced inaugural partnership with the Trans Film Mentorship (TFM) in tandem with the group’s Trans Filmmaker Summit (TFS), which returns for its fourth consecutive year at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival. Founded by Luis De Filippis and Gabrielle Zilkha, TFM’s mission is to increase the presence of trans and nonbinary professionals, filmmakers, creatives and crew in the film and television industry by creating work and training opportunities for emerging and entry-level professionals.
Taking place on Sunday, September 7th on the TIFF Lightbox rooftop, this year’s Summit promises to be its most dynamic edition yet, expanding its programming and deepening its commitment to uplifting trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse storytellers. The event sold out within a day of ticket release.
With the generous support of returning Barrier Breaker sponsor Canadian Media Fund (CMF), and Gold sponsors CBC Films, TIFF, XOTO, the 2025 Summit is a bold celebration of trans excellence, resilience, and the transformative power of storytelling.
“GLAAD is proud to support this year’s Trans Film Summit, a critically important event directly supporting storytellers, who are trans, and their short film projects. At a time when transgender characters in television and film have declined precipitously, and trans people are being targeted and attacked, it’s essential that trans creatives are empowered to tell our own stories. The Trans Film Summit is an incredible place where this resourcing and mentorship is re-invested into the talent in our community.” said Nick Adams, VP of Entertainment at GLAAD.
Also returning this year is the highly anticipated CMF Barrier Breaker Award, honoring a trailblazing trans creative who is actively disrupting the status quo and expanding what’s possible for trans representation in media. This year’s recipient, Emmy Award-Nominated Director and Producer, Zackary Drucker, joins an esteemed list of past honorees including RuPaul’s Drag Race star Ts Madison, Sort Of creator Bilal Baig, and Baby Reindeer breakout and Emmy-award nominee Nava Mau. Drucker’s work consistently challenges how audiences perceive gender and sexuality, inviting viewers to rethink received narratives and see trans lives with clarity and complexity.
Zackary Drucker is an Emmy-nominated director for HBO’s The Stroll (2023) and an Emmy-nominated producer for the docuseries This Is Me (2015), an easily digestible primer for the difficulties many transgender people face everyday. She was a producer on the Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning show Transparent (2014–2019), where her consulting and producing helped ensure authentic representation on screen and behind the scenes, from shaping historical context and casting to contributing to plot, script, and wardrobe. Her approach on Transparent helped reframe how trans stories are told. Her four-part TV directorial debut The Lady and the Dale premiered on HBO in 2021 and was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award. The Stroll won a Peabody Award in 2024 and a Special Jury Award: Clarity of Vision at Sundance 2023. She directed QUEENMAKER: The Making of an It Girl (Hulu, 2023), and her latest documentary feature Enigma debuted at Sundance 2025 before premiering on HBO worldwide in June 2025.
At the heart of this year’s programming is the return of the ground-breaking Short Film Fund, an initiative launched in partnership with Spindle Films Foundation. With a $10,000 cash prize and $50,000 in in-kind services provided by Panavision, Sunbelt Rentals, Mubi, Picture Shop, and Formosa Group, the Fund empowers trans and gender-diverse filmmakers to take their careers to the next level. In a live pitch competition held during the Summit, three finalists will present their short film concepts to a panel of influential industry jurors and a live audience. This year’s jury includes award-winning actor Devery Jacobs, acclaimed filmmaker Fawzia Mirza, and Emmy® nominated producer and the Senior Director of Entertainment at GLAAD, Alex Schmider, a powerhouse lineup of creatives shaping the future of cinema.
The primary goal of the Short Film Fund is to provide resources to a selected emerging filmmaker, enabling them to create a completed short film that elevates their work and opens new doors in the film industry. This initiative not only highlights the creative talents of gender-diverse artists but also serves as a catalyst for their professional growth, opening new doors and creating lasting industry connections.
“The Trans Filmmakers Mentorship is thrilled to be back at TIFF for the fourth edition of the Trans Filmmakers Summit,” said filmmaker and TFM Co-Founder Luis De Filippis. “This year, we’re building on the incredible momentum of previous years with the return of our Short Film Pitch Competition, presented in partnership with the amazing Spindle Films Foundation. Three filmmaking teams will have the opportunity to pitch their short film ideas live to a panel of industry leaders, a space we’ve intentionally created to nurture talent, foster connections, and spark new opportunities. We’re also excited to once again present the CMF Barrier Breaker Award to a changemaker whose work pushes the boundaries of trans storytelling and representation. A huge thank you to our sponsors CMF, CBC Films, TIFF, XOTO, and GLAAD whose continued support makes this all possible. We can’t wait to gather again on the TIFF rooftop to celebrate our community.”
“Spindle Films Foundation is proud to once again partner with TFM for the return of the Short Film Fund,” said J Stevens, Founder of Spindle Films Foundation. “Our mission has always been to champion emerging gender-diverse filmmakers by helping bridge the gap between vision and opportunity. This Fund is a tangible way for us to do that, offering real resources, mentorship, and visibility to help storytellers take the next meaningful step in their careers. We’re grateful to collaborate with an organization as aligned and committed as TFM to expanding our community’s network of support and creating lasting impact in the industry.”
The Short Film Fund is set to significantly impact both individual filmmakers and the industry at large by equipping the successful applicant with the resources to deliver a polished short film, an invaluable calling card for their portfolio and resume, alongside education and mentorship for a genuinely enriching learning experience. In addition to awarding the fund, all three participants will receive an in-kind donation from Sunbelt, ensuring each filmmaker leaves with tangible resources to put toward their short. The fund also enforces a diversity mandate for cast and crew, creating opportunities for a wide range of creatives, while fostering a supportive community of trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse artists that strengthens resilience and solidarity across the Canadian film industry. The Trans Film Mentorship and Spindle Films Foundation are excited to continue offering this opportunity and to drive impact at both a personal and industry-wide level.
The Trans Film Summit is generously sponsored by the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), GLAAD, XOTO, and CBC Films with the Barrier Breaker Award sponsored by the Canadian Media Fund (CMF). The Short Film Fund is sponsored by Panavision, Sunbelt Rentals, Mubi, Picture Shop, and Formosa Group.
