By Daniel Brace
“Listen carefully and you’ll hear filmmakers say getting a film made is a miracle. Tilde is a multi-faceted festival filled with these miracles, showcasing our ever-expanding community, and sharing our humanity through our stories” – Tilde CEO Ro Bright.
Celebrating its tenth anniversary Tilde is a community-led international trans and gender diverse film festival hosted at the Footscray Community Arts Centre.
From Friday night to Sunday evening, Tilde hosts seven sessions, 24 films, two exhibitions, four filmmakers in conversation panels, and two massive community events featuring international and Victorian premieres with the theme of trans-collectivism.
The theme aims to break the stigma around ‘being the only trans and gender expansive person in the room’ and champion individuality and connection in a safe and supportive environment.
Opening night includes the Australian premier of the film Aribada from Simone Jaikiriuma Paetau and Natalia Escobar, which follows the Indigenous trans women of the Emberá tribes as they fashion their own futures. Another feature is The Alexander Ball (2022), an observational documentary extravaganza celebrating Samoan-Maori-Australian trans woman of colour, Ella Ganza, and the Meanjin (Brisbane) ballroom scene, as the community prepares for one of biggest ballroom events of the year, The Alexander Ball.
Other program highlights include the world premiere of the delicately beautiful Black Trans Miracle (2023) by Tinaye Nyathi, the story of a neurotic young trans man who embarks on a journey to collect a cake for his partner’s birthday after an encounter with a stranger forces him to wrestle with his own identity, putting him at odds with his own desire for connection.
And hear from Australia’s leading intimacy coordinator Bayley Turner (Neighbours), who will lead a frank discussion on how the film community can support trans women to thrive in the industry. Tilde in Conversation: Women on Set will feature panelists Ramon Te Wake (The Boy, the Queen and Everything in Between), and more guests to be announced.
Tilde is on from 3-5 May. Check out the full program at tildemelbourne.com
