Exposures Trans Film Festival

Last summer, I stumbled across an article on trans film festivals by film scholar Laura Horak. In it, she tells us that the last significant trans film festival in Canada was “Counting Past 2″, which took place in Toronto in the late 90s/early 00s. That’s over 20 years ago!

To celebrate its legacy as well as highlight the importance of trans-focused events, I decided then and there that I would organise Montréal’s first trans film festival. So I posted on Instagram about it, asking people if they’d be interested in volunteering for such a project. The response was a resounding yes—a chorus of support that fueled my resolve. Despite having no resources or funding, I threw myself into this endeavor that has brought me heaps of stress but also so much joy.

I am forever grateful to everyone who has helped me along the way: my incredible team and sponsors, without whom this wouldn’t have been possible; our sister festivals TRANSlations, Tilde, and the Stockholm Trans Film Festival for their invaluable guidance; and my PhD supervisor, Alanna Thain, for her unwavering support.

This is my greatest accomplishment to date, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did planning, organizing, and programming it. Born from my deep love and reverence for trans cinema, this festival is my gift to you. May it lead you on a journey of wonder and self-discovery, just as it has done for me.

Exposures is a non-profit organization committed to advancing trans advocacy and driving cultural change through the power of film. As Montréal’s only trans-focused film collective, Exposures offers screenings, lectures, discussions, workshops, and professional development opportunities that connect audiences with trans artists and filmmakers from across Canada and around the world.

Exposures works to promote fair, authentic, and inclusive representation for trans people, creating programs and events that advance trans acceptance and liberation. Serving as a storyteller, festival, resource, and advocate, Exposures addresses critical issues head-on, amplifying trans voices to ensure they are heard and valued.

Ultimately, we strive to protect the rights of trans people and to help create a world where everyone, regardless of gender expression, can live with dignity, respect, and the freedom to be fully themselves.

Fall, 2022
Exposures Is Founded
Exposures was founded in the fall of 2022 by Iris Pint, a film scholar, curator, and cultural consultant. After moving from London, UK to Montréal, Iris quickly noticed a gap in the city’s cultural offerings for the queer and gender-diverse communities, especially in cinema.

Spring, 2023
FIRST SOLD OUT TRANS SCREENING
Exposures’ first dedicated trans screening attracted over 200 attendees—far surpassing the venue’s capacity solely through word-of-mouth. This enthusiastic response demonstrated a clear need for dedicated trans-focused cinema events in Montréal. Motivated by this demand, Exposures began to focus specifically on trans cinema, becoming a platform where trans stories could find both a home and an audience.

2023 - 2024
BUILDING A LOYAL FOLLOWING
Since our first trans screening, Exposures has grown rapidly, amassing a loyal following in Montréal and beyond. To date, we have organized over 30 trans film screenings across the city, each attracting 150-200 attendees. We cover a variety of topics, from trans desire and trans ecologies to transnationalism and trans cinema from the Global South.

Fall, 2024
MONTREAL’S FIRST TRANS FILM FESTIVAL
As interest grew, so did our ambitions. Recognizing the lack of large-scale, dedicated spaces for trans audiences, we decided to launch Montréal’s first-ever trans film festival, which took place from September 19–22, 2024 and featured 13 screenings over four days. This event was a resounding success, confirming once again the importance of our work.

Fall, 2025
OUR SECOND TRANS FILM FESTIVAL EDITION
Looking ahead, we are already planning our second festival edition for September 2025. We remain dedicated to building Exposures as a long-lasting, sustainable space where trans and gender-diverse filmmakers can showcase their work and connect with audiences.

2025-2026
FOCUS ON PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Showcasing trans film is not enough. We must also create more opportunities for trans filmmakers to help them develop sustainable careers. As such, we are planning a series of workshops aimed at addressing systemic barriers. Topics will include grant writing, navigating the festival circuit, pitching projects, and building sustainable networks.

“About Us.” EXPOSURES Montreal, n.d. Accessed August 19, 2025. https://exposuresmtl.com/about-us/.