Press Kit
Download the Full Press Kit PDF
Awards
Best Music Documentary: Philadelphia Independent Film Festival 2010
Best Feature Film: TranScreen Amsterdam Film Festival 2011
Best Documentary Feature: Reeling Lesbian & Gay International Film Festival 2009
Audience Choice Award: Park City Music Film Festival, Park City, UT 2010
Audience Choice Award: Reeling Lesbian & Gay International Film Festival 2009
Previous Screenings
Frameline: San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival
Out On Screen Vancouver Queer Film Festival, Canada
Queer Lisboa Film Festival, Portugal
Reeling Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
TranScreen Film Festival, The Netherlands
Chicago International Movies and Music Festival
London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, England
Pink Screens Brussels, Belgium
Out On Screen: Altanta LGBT Film Festival
Chagrin Falls Documentary Film Festival
SENE Film, Music & Arts Festival
Boston LGBT Film Festival
Sacramento Film and Music Festival
Seattle Transgender Film Festival
ImageOut Rochester
Vinokino Film Festival, Finland
Los Angeles Transgender Film Festival
Indianapolis LGBT Film Festival
Tampa LGBT Film Festival
Mezipatra Czech LGBT Film Festival, Prauge
Seattle Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
Hamburg LGBT Film Festival, Germany
MIX Mexico Film Festival
International Youth Film Festival
Milwaukee LGBT Film Festival
Cinema St. Louis Film Festival
Pittsburgh LGBT Film Festival
Director: Madsen Minax
Executive Production: Actor Slash Model
Producer: Simon Strikeback & Madsen Minax
Cinematography: Malic Amalya
Edited: Madsen Minax
Production Assistants : Nern Ostendorf, Jules Rosskam, Sam Feder, Sea Oliver, Lex Sloan, Stephanie “Syd” Yang, Neo Collett, Martin Krump,
Music: Lipstick Conspiracy, Ryka Aoki, Katastrophe, Trannysaurus Sex, Novice Theory, The Cliks, Systyr Act, The Degenerettes, Adhamh Roland, Jessica Xavier, The Shondes, Ryder Richardson, The Bloods, Coyote Grace, Basic Fix, Venus DeMars
Audio Post Production: Experimental Sound Studio, Chicago, IL
Featuring: Adhamh Roland, Ryka Aoki De La Cruz, Sarafina Maraschino, Shawna Love, Marilyn Mitchell, Kitty, Maren Abromowitz, Anita “Durt” O’Shea, Rocco Kayiatos, Kelly Moe, Maile Thiesen, Ryder Richardson, Venus DeMars, Radford Bishop, Zach McNulty, River Gordon, Lucus Silveira, Jen Bento, Morgan Doctor, Nina Martinez, Joe Stevens, Ingrid Elizabeth, Jessica Xavier, Louisa Solomon, Temim Fruchter, Elijah Oberman, Ian Brannigan, Geo Wyeth, Travis Clough, Tam Willey, Greg Sensing, Rahne Alexander, Kristen Anchor, Crissy Howland
Guest Appearances by Our Lady J, Lauren Steely, Dave End, Solomon Green, Andrea Mize, Jenny Urban, Boi Bella, Fanny Smack, Sarah Adorable
Press
What director Madsen Minax doesn’t do is label the performers. Riot Acts spotlights and identifies the names of a wealth of artists…but the movie never tries to shoehorn them into the biology-is-destiny square pegs of mainstream mediaspeak…RIOT ACTS is one of those few documentaries that succeeds because of what it choose not to tell you.”
Baltimore City Paper
“Riot Acts’ enthusiasm is infectious!”
Jason Barker, London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival
“(Riot Acts) discusses the realities of being a trans musician with the kind of candidness that only a “by us for us” project allows…!”
Baltimore Radar
“Riot Acts beautifully traces the meaning of “transition” in terms of bodies, music, voice, harmony, humor and grace. This is a (literally) moving account of the presence and impact of gender variant musicians upon a variety of music scenes and genres and it exposes audiences both to the gendering of music but also to the musicality of gender. A must see film!”
Jack Halberstam, author of Female Masculinity and
In a Queer Time and Place
“As the corporate music business continues its long slow slide toward cultural oblivion, it’s refreshing to know that the DIY ethic continues to flourish among trans artists in local clubs, cabarets, and dance halls. This fascinating and touching film introduces the viewer to a aspect of the music scene that they may not have previously encountered, or at least known that they have encountered, partly because its defining features are fluid and not always evident to an audience. Riot Acts smartly mixes analysis of transgender politics with an eclectic array of fantastic music. !”
Tom Shevory, Professor of Politics, Ithaca College, Author of Notorious HIV: The Media Spectacle of Nushawn William
“At a time when even Hollywood A-listers seem to want a don a wig and belt out a number, Madsen Minax has brought us the real story behind today’s trans and genderqueer musicians. With candid interviews and explosive performance footage, “Riot Acts” is engrossing from start to finish. If all the world’s a stage, these artists are truly making it their own.”
Tavia Nyong’o, Professor, NYU Tisch School for the Arts
“Finally, a documentary about transgender people that highlights their talents, interests, and spirit, rather than focusing on them solely as political beings. This gender bending rock and roll fusion not only entertains, but also gives a backstage glimpse into the artistic and personal lives of working musicians who are trailblazers in their own right. I challenge anyone to watch this film and not walk away with at least one new favorite band. ”
Tracy Nectoux, Editor, SmilePolitely.com, Reviews Editor for the GLBT Round Table newsletter of the American Library Association; University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/08/riot‐acts‐film‐explores‐t_n_490244.html
The Chicago Reader
http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/riot‐acts‐cimmfest‐transgender‐musicians‐ documentary/Content?oid=1492119
Edge Chicago
http://www.edgechicago.com/index.php?ch=entertainment&sc=movies&sc2=news&sc3=&id=103092
Baltimore City Paper
http://www.citypaper.com/film/review.asp?rid=15531
Time Out Chicago
http://chicago.timeout.com/articles/film/80288/reeling‐film‐festival
The Chicago Free Press
http://dev.chicagofreepress.com/2010/03/03/reel‐advice‐movie‐reviews/
Logo Online
http://www.afterellen.com/blog/jensabella/new‐documentary‐about‐trans‐musicians‐features‐queer‐ bands‐to‐watch
