TransJourney is a quest of discovery of family, acceptance, and identity.

"I just backed a lovely film in the making: TransJourney"

--Kate Bornstein, Twitter feed, June 2012

Join our TransJourney – 3 Women, 3 Journeys, 3,000 Miles!

PLEASE DONATE TODAY!  NO AMOUNT IS TOO SMALL!

What the Documentary is About 

TransJourney explores three women’s personal journeys and the ways their lives have become intertwined and made stronger because of one another.  In 2009 Annabelle transitioned to her new life as a woman.  We will delve into her new world, gain insight into how her mother Sandra, who lives in Rhode Island, learns about this life-altering event and strives to remain an integral part of her daughter's life in Seattle -- 3,000 miles away! 

Annabelle came to know Shannon, an older transgender woman, through the meetings they both attended at the Ingersoll Gender Center in Seattle.  Shannon offered to talk to Sandra about any questions she had about caring for someone after reconstructive surgery.  Since then she and Sandra have become close friends, but have yet to meet one another in person.

Why is this film important? 

The transgender world remains mostly invisible to larger society and even to some members of the LGBTQ community.  TransJourney voices transgender people’s hopes, desires, and fears while demystifying their lives and, most importantly, bringing dignity to their experiences.

The film will show the world that people who identify as transgender are no different than anyone else.  Their gender identity is only one aspect of who they are and does not define them.  Transgender men and women share the same hopes and dreams as everyone else. TransJourney embodies all of our stories as we search for affirmation and acceptance as the people we truly are.

The Plan

Traveling in Sandra's minivan from Rhode Island to Seattle, the film crew will capture Sandra's and Shannon’s first meeting and film Annabelle's and Shannon's lives.

The Goal

Once completed, we plan to hold premiere screenings of the documentary at the following film festivals:

• The Boston LGBTQ Film Festival (May 2014)
• Translations: The Seattle Transgender Film Festival (May 2014)
• The Seattle Gay and the Lesbian Film Festival (October 2014)

In addition,  our goal is to screen TransJourney at colleges and universities throughout the U.S. and internationally.  Therefore we will need ongoing help to cover costs associated with travel, marketing, and film festival premieres. 

Why We Need Your Support

Filming is expensive.  Your support will help cover our basic travel expenses, production and equipment costs (a new lighting kit). Our funding goal represents just a portion of our $44,000 production budget, which is only the first leg of the film's journey as we still face post-production costs of $15,000 - $20,000.

Any excess funding will help us create a high quality film and pay for post-production costs ensuring that TransJourney gets the most exposure possible.  Ideally, we would like to raise more than our goal which will go towards making the film successful.

Your donations will make the difference!

Support TransJourney and follow us on Facebook and Twitter this August!

This film is dedicated to the memory of Deborah Monuteaux, co-founder of Shifting Visions Films and original Director of TransJourney

In 2012, my partner, Deb, and I began this film project  with the generous support from those who believe in the importance of this film.  Our plan was that Deb and her cousin, Sandra, would travel via minivan from RI to Seattle.  While on the road, Deb would film and interview Sandra about her own journey of understanding her daughter Annabelle’s decision to transition to life as a woman. 

Little did we know that life would take Deb, and the rest of us on a different journey.  Just days before their scheduled departure, Deb became seriously ill and we had to make the  decision to cancel our filming in Seattle.  Deb was devastated when she learned of this decision and one of her last wishes was for us to move forward with the TransJourney project.  Although Deb put up a good fight to recover from her illness, she lost her battle and passed away a few months later in November 2012.  Deb,  a talented and creative director, videographer and film editor, lived life to the fullest.  Her presence will be  missed by all.  So, we are honoring Deb’s wishes and dedicating this film to her memory.  – Alexia Kosmider, Producer

TransJourney is a powerful documentary that will change peoples’ perceptions about gender, family, and belonging.  Please support TransJourney and follow us on Facebook and Twitter this August.  Annabelle, Shannon, Sandie…and Deb…are counting on you!

3 women, 3 journeys, 3,000 miles!

See you on the road!

Shifting Visions is a 501 (c) (3) non-profitfilm company so all of your donations supporting TransJourney, less the value of any perks claimed, are also tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by the IRS.