Trans Girls: Raw & Uncut launches crowdfunding campaign
for upcoming milestone documentary film
Feature film highlights the growing community behind North America’s
only regular comedy show dedicated to trans women
The minds behind the wildly popular Trans Girls: Raw & Uncut are launching a crowdfunding campaign to support the upcoming feature-length documentary about the all-trans women show. The creative team includes Ky Sargeant as executive producer and lead subject, Erin Purghartas producer, Mily Mumford as director, Mikah Sharkey as director of photography, and Mia Oberholzer as production designer. The film will follow seven trans women both on and off stage as they navigate the raging transphobia of today’s political climate, and celebrate the joys and successes they’ve created in spite of it.
Sargeant joined the Vancouver comedy scene in 2023 after spending a few years doing spoken word poetry. In an environment where major comedians like Dave Chappelle and Ricky Gervais were making headlines for their transphobic jokes, she dreamt of one day running an all-trans women comedy show. Sargeant began to nurture fellow queer and trans comedians through her monthly open mics, Laughs in Queer, which offered low-stakes environments for newcomers to try their hand at the art form. At the time, there were only a few trans women doing stand-up in Vancouver — through Sargeant’s open mics and eventually the launch of Trans Girls: Raw & Uncut, the scene now has almost 20 trans women comedians. The first Trans Girls: Raw & Uncut event immediately sold more than 300 tickets, with additional shows added soon after. It has been featured in the Just for Laughs VANCOUVER line-up for the past two years as part of Sirius XM’s Best of the West series.
“The success of the show has really shaken up the stand-up scene here because it’s revealed an entirely different model of success for shows in this city,” says Sargeant. “Rather than competing with other comedy shows, we built an entire community from the ground up and brought brand new audiences to watch stand-up. If you look at Vancouver’s comedy scene now compared to when Trans Girls: Raw & Uncutstarted, there’s a considerable increase in the number of shows being produced by women, 2SLGBTQ+, and BIPOC finding success in ways that weren’t previously imaginable. It’s that larger industry-wide success that inspired us to make this documentary.”
Mumford adds: “As a trans filmmaker, I think it’s important to have more stories told by and for us. As we continue to be attacked politically and in our communities it is crucial to have trans-led stories creating empathy and connection — while ensuring trans people see themselves authentically represented.”
The documentary will highlight Ky Sargeant’s (aka Kay) own personal story, in addition to fellow comedians: Natalia Beltran, Kendall Clark, Jess Lupini, Amy Thompson (aka Amy Grindhouse), Gray Tshenollo (aka ACACIA), and Nora Vision. The documentary subjects were chosen not only for their comedic talents, but also for the diversity they represent across career fields, upbringings, and cultural backgrounds. The documentary will feature footage of their stand up routines, in addition to following the major events of their everyday lives. Sargeant says: “I truly believe that comedy is the least interesting thing about these comedians. I want people to get to know what we’re like off stage and recognize our humanity beyond our punchlines.”
The filmmaking team has already secured private donors who will match up to $20,000. All funds raised through the campaign will go toward the overall film budget, covering additional shooting days and post-production costs, such as music, editing, and sound design.
Learn more or donate to the matching fundraising campaign here by Aug. 30.