For immediate release

Trans Media Watch is delighted to announce the award of its first annual film bursary to filmmaker Tortor Smith towards the creation of a short animated film. In their application, Tortor explained that the film, provisionally titled Stumbling Blocks, will explore the balancing act of life using dominoes. The lead character is made of dominoes and there are dominoes in the props and sets too.

They told us: “I like to make films that directly relate to my own life experiences. This film is directly inspired by the loss of my Nan to cancer last year and the domino effect that had. It made me realise how fragile life is. Because when one thing falls down it can be a frightening catalyst to more losses and, often, uncomfortable life changes. If you don’t act fast things can easily completely collapse around you.”

They added: “I’m really enjoying making this and feel very confident that it is going to evolve into a piece of work I am super proud of and I hope you will like it too.”

Tortor is a talented multi-craft writer, animator, and director. Last year they were selected as one of 13 people to make a short film at Aardman. Their film, Hot Mess, is a 3-minute stop motion animation exploring their experience with ADHD and the grief that comes with that – it has so far won nine awards, been nominated for 24 and selected at 46 festivals.

Tortor was the strongest from a strong field of entries. The allocation of the bursary, to the value of £2,500, was decided by a panel of three judges: Acclaimed film director, Campbell X; filmmaker and writer, Jason Barker; and filmmaker and critic, Jennie Kermode.

Jennie Kermode said “Tortor is a filmmaker of remarkable talent with an inventive approach to addressing complex issues. I fully expect to see them picking up major awards before long.”

The judges also asked that Trans Media Watch provide support for a film proposal from a second director, april forrest lin 林森. Their project, provisionally titled Sweat it out is an experimental documentary about Trans Sauna, a monthly trans-only sauna event in London. It is a film about what it means to have a space where you can relax, feel safe, and be present in your body as a trans person in the UK today.

We have agreed to put £500 towards this film.

Reacting to the result, TMW chair, jane fae said: “I am very pleased with this result. It was a strong field with some excellent entries. I wish we could have done more. But I am confident that by supporting filmmakers in this way we are doing our bit for the wider queer and trans communities.

“This bursary will be running again for 2026 and 2027 – and I am looking forward to it.”

Further information

For further information, contact jane fae on info@transmediawatch.org or via 07780 994646