Actor and director Mark Duplass has announced a new partnership with the Transgender Film Center, unveiling the “Found Footage Feature Fund.” The initiative is designed to give trans filmmakers a direct path to feature production, offering both financial resources and mentorship.
The fund provides a micro-budget grant of $25,000. Rather than a typical development stipend, this support functions as a full production green light. Filmmakers who are selected will be required to complete their feature within twelve months, using only the provided funds. The goal is to empower trans storytellers to create independently and bring their work to audiences without waiting for traditional studio approval.
In addition to the grant, recipients will gain mentorship from Duplass himself as well as industry professionals like director Patrick Brice. Post-production support will be supplied by Aesthetica Post, including color grading, effects, and festival-ready deliverables. The Transgender Film Center will also help with festival submissions, marketing strategies, and other guidance needed to carry the film through completion and distribution. Applications open on October 23 and close on November 7, with a winner to be announced in December.
Duplass has been outspoken in defending the project against potential criticism. He emphasized that his support stems from a genuine friendship with Sav Rodgers, the executive director of the Transgender Film Center, and from a desire to do more than simply voice approval. “This is about showing up with real resources and standing behind people who have important stories to tell,” Duplass explained in recent comments.
Rodgers described the initiative as urgent and necessary, calling it “a way to meet the moment with clarity and action.” For Rodgers, the fund is not just about producing films but about dismantling the barriers that trans creators face in the industry.
This effort reflects a continuation of Duplass’ long-standing commitment to independent and underrepresented voices. His production company was previously behind Tangerine, a groundbreaking film with a trans-led narrative shot on iPhones, which went on to critical acclaim. By tying his reputation to this fund, Duplass is helping push forward the conversation about what kinds of stories deserve backing and visibility.
For trans filmmakers, the Found Footage Feature Fund offers more than a grant. It provides credibility, mentorship, and practical support that can often mean the difference between an idea that stays on the page and a film that reaches audiences. The fixed timeline and budget create both structure and opportunity, proving that trans filmmakers are more than capable of producing ambitious, innovative work under challenging conditions.
Representation in film has long been about more than who appears on screen. It is about who gets the chance to tell their stories, shape narratives, and define culture from behind the camera. Initiatives like this remind us that progress happens when people with access share their resources and open doors for those whose voices have too often been sidelined.
Applications will be accepted from October 23 to November 7, 2025, and full details, including the submission portal, are available at the Transgender Film Center’s Found Footage Feature Fund page.
