Rodgers is known for his documentary Chasing, Chasing Amy, an introspective look at Kevin Smith’s 1997 film, Chasing Amy. The film premiered at the 2023 Tribeca Festival.
He finds himself enjoying being in Park City for the last installment of Sundance in Utah. He attended the festival celebrating and supporting independent cinema ten years prior, and called this year his favorite year yet.
“So I’ve just been out here trying to build relationships. And what I can say, one of the reasons this has been my favorite Sundance that I’ve ever attended is that people have been so open, so generous, so kind, and wanting to support the Trans Film Center.”
Founder and executive director of the Transgender Film Center. He founded the organization due to witnessing a lack of dedication in the film industry to funding trans filmmakers. Describing it as “a narrative change organization that connects trans-made stories with audiences around the world.”
Before the start of the interview, Rodgers just wrapped up a panel at the Heretic Lounge on Main Street, speaking on behalf of the Trans Film Center (TFC) at the Solidarity House. His mission for the festival was to promote the TFC.
“Yeah, I mean, TFC, you know, we’re just trying to get the word out there about the work that we do. We want trans filmmakers to know about us, but we also want people who want to be allies to the trans community, to trans filmmakers to know what we do.”
Rodgers said that he was able to grow the organization after working as a volunteer for TFC for five years, helping trans filmmakers with funding. One of the resources offered is a Career Development Lab, which is set to open applications soon. The last iteration of the lab gave out a whopping $150,000 spread to $15,000 each to 10 trans filmmakers.
The TFC recently announced a fund with the indie filmmaking sibling powerhouses, Mark and Jay Duplass’s company, Duplass Brothers Productions, called the Found Footage Feature Fund. On this fund, Rodgers said, “which is going to basically do an entire development process, soup to nuts, with a trans filmmaker to make a found footage film and to premiere it at a kick-ass film festival.”
Rodgers shared his thoughts on what it means to be a transgender person in America, what this political climate means for queer cinema, and how the community can move forward in the midst of hate and misunderstanding towards transgender people.
“I think the answer to that question is really my ethos as it pertains to fascism, which is never give up, never back down, never give them an inch. So I think what we’re going to continue to see is a lot of transgressive films by interesting filmmakers from the queer community. I think we’re going to see a lot of transgressive films that are coming out in response to all of the political bullshit that is happening.”
Rodgers continued, “People trying to take away our rights, the frustration with the way that this country is going. And it’s not new. If you are part of any marginalized community, you know this is not new. But it is really inspiring to see people wake up, take to the streets, and playing their part in the ways that they are able to. And I think a big part of that is creating art that speaks truth to power and questions the system.”
He mentioned that he has seen skepticism of any kind of authority showcased in transgressive films such as Louise Ward’s castration film series and Louise Ward’s The People’s Joker. Rodgers said, “I think about all of these like underground, independent films that are doing kick ass work. A lot of them made by trans people.”
Rodgers talked about how disgusted he is to see the rise of injustice and hate crimes in America by various factions and groups who either actively harm, displace, and murder minorities, whether by color, nationality, sexuality, etc. During his panel at the Heretic Lounge, he recalled a moment from a woman who discussed the tragedy of her brother, who was killed by police in Mississippi, and shared encouraging words with the guests and fellow panelists.
“What she implored everybody in the room was that to not let them steal our joy, to not let them win by, you know, like feeling guilty about being at Sundance and celebrating each other’s art, art that does question people in power, art that does question why is the world the way it is, injustices that are happening. But also, you know, art that makes you feel okay for a second so that you can keep going because in order to be resilient, you have to take care of yourself first.”
He further explains, “And so we have to continue to engage in our work because we all have a part to play. Not everybody is going to be at a protest. Not everybody can be at a protest. Some people will get arrested and be deported if they go to a protest. …So all of us have a role to play in speaking truth to power and declaring wholeheartedly that fascism has no place here in the United States.”
Rodgers is busy not only with spearheading the TFC but with his own future projects. “My next film is called Pancake Skank, and we’re making that in collaboration with Duplass Brothers Productions and Lily Wachowski. It’s going to be a ton of fun. That’s a scripted film, not a documentary,” he said.
You can follow and support Mr. Rodgers’ work @savrodgersfilm on Instagram. Or visit his website, savrodgers.com
To support the Transgender Film Center, follow @transfilmcenter or go to transfilmcenter.org, where you can donate to the organization.
Rodgers reiterated the importance of the TFC’s work, “Your money goes to making sure that we can continue to fund trans filmmakers and get their stories out there.”
View Rodgers’ film Chasing, Chasing Amy now streaming on Amazon Prime, Tubi, Revry, and Kanopy.
Watch our entire interview in the video above.
