"Try to Remember" a Transgender feature film
New York City, New York | Film Feature
Drama, LGBTQ
Eli, a trans man, returns home to care for his mother with dementia, fearing she won’t recognize him. As he faces painful decisions, like shaving his beard to jog her memory, Eli must navigate the emotional challenges of reconnecting with the woman who once supported him through everything.
"Try to Remember" a Transgender feature film
New York City, New York | Film Feature
Drama, LGBTQ
2 Campaigns | New York, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $25,895 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
150 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
Eli, a trans man, returns home to care for his mother with dementia, fearing she won’t recognize him. As he faces painful decisions, like shaving his beard to jog her memory, Eli must navigate the emotional challenges of reconnecting with the woman who once supported him through everything.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Imagine watching your loved one fade away, their memories slipping through their fingers like grains of sand. They begin to forget people, places, and the connections they once held dear. Now, imagine that the person they no longer recognize is you—the one who once meant everything to them.
Try and Remember is a deeply moving feature film that explores the intersection of dementia and transgender identity—two often-misunderstood realities that collide in one family's journey of love, loss, and resilience.
A Story of Strength: This film isn’t just about loss—it’s about courage, family, and what it truly means to be seen.
"Dementia is a thief, but it cannot steal the beauty of a life well-lived." - Unknown
"Being transgender is not just a medical transition. It's discovering who you are, living your life authentically, loving yourself, and spreading that love towards other people". - Unknown
Eli. a transgender man, has always had the unwavering support of his mother. But when dementia begins to erase her memories, she no longer recognizes him as her son. Instead, she sees a stranger in her home, questioning his very identity. With the help of his loving partner, Nguyen, and his overburdened sister, Pam, Eli must confront his greatest fear: losing his mother while she’s still alive.
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In a time where trans erasure and misrepresentation are rampant, this story is committed to offering a much-needed, nuanced portrayal of a trans individual navigating the everyday realities of life—one that includes not only love and hardship, but the complicated nature of family dynamics. It aims to challenge harmful stereotypes by showcasing the humanity, resilience, and depth of trans characters, demonstrating that trans people deserve to be seen not only for their struggles, but for their growth, love, and capacity for caregiving.
This narrative seeks to elevate the visibility of trans individuals on screen, placing them at the center of important, emotional stories that reflect the shared human experience. By focusing on Eli’s journey, we hope to create space for meaningful conversations around identity, caregiving, and family, while pushing against the erasure of trans lives in mainstream media. It is crucial that trans stories, particularly those that reflect the multifaceted nature of our lives, are told with authenticity and care. This project strives to contribute to that ongoing effort, fostering empathy, understanding, and recognition for the trans community in a world that too often overlooks or distorts their existence.
- Representation and Visibility: As long as we can remember, trans people were either invisible or portrayed in harmful stereotypes in mainstream media. Now, more films are providing authentic depictions of trans individuals, allowing them to be seen as complex and multifaceted characters. Representation matters because it fosters understanding and empathy, not just for trans people but for society as a whole.
- Breaking Stereotypes: By portraying diverse trans experiences, these films help to challenge common misconceptions and stereotypes about trans people. Many people still hold outdated views, and movies provide an opportunity to break down these barriers and show the world that trans people lead rich, diverse, and valid lives, just like anyone else.
- Promoting Social Change: Movies have long been a tool for sparking social and political change. By highlighting the struggles and triumphs of trans people, filmmakers can raise awareness about the issues they face, such as discrimination, violence, access to healthcare, and legal recognition. These films can help educate viewers and push for societal reform.
- Giving Trans People a Voice: Many films now provide a platform for trans creators and actors to share their stories, both behind and in front of the camera. This is essential for giving trans people agency in how they are portrayed and ensuring that their voices are heard within the cultural conversation.
- Inspiring Hope and Solidarity: For trans viewers, seeing themselves reflected in movies can provide a sense of hope, validation, and belonging. It helps normalize the idea that they, too, deserve to have their stories told and that they are not alone in their experiences. It also fosters solidarity with allies who want to learn more and support the trans community.
- Expanding the Narrative: The inclusion of trans characters helps expand the range of stories that can be told in cinema. It allows filmmakers to explore themes of identity, self-discovery, and transformation in new ways, offering fresh perspectives that challenge traditional narratives and broaden our understanding of humanity.
Given the current moment of social progress, more people are pushing for equality and fairness, and media is one powerful tool for achieving that. Movies with trans people not only highlight the need for representation but also actively contribute to a cultural shift toward greater inclusion and understanding.
Giving Back: A portion of the film's net profits will support The Trevor Project and The Dementia Society of America, making your donation a force for real-world change.
Please Follow & Share!
Please note that we need a total of $200k in order to make this feature. This 30k will allow us to make bigger moves. If you are interested in investing please reach out to [email protected]
If you have a product you would like placed in the film, please contact us at [email protected]
Take a look at Mattioli Productions reel to see the quality of work!
Check out our other films at www.mattioliproductions.com
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CONSIDERING OUR PROJECT :)
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Locations
Costs $5,000
We need a house, a bar, a retirement home, and a restaurant. If you have a location in NY let us know!
Costumes
Costs $1,500
We have 4 main characters who play over several days. This means lots of costumes. Costumes help show who the character is.
Set Dressing and Props
Costs $1,500
Set dressing and props are crucial for creating authenticity, enhancing storytelling, and grounding characters in their environment.
Sound track
Costs $3,000
Music enhances emotion, sets the tone, and deepens the audience’s connection to the story and characters, elevating the film’s impact.
Food
Costs $5,000
A well fed crew is a happy crew. This will be a 18 day shoot and there will be about 25 crew members. Breakfast and lunch plus snacks!
Hardrives
Costs $1,000
These babies add up!
Grip and Electric
Costs $13,000
My crew is made up of 80% queer individuals. They are extremely talented. I have made several movies with this family. They are artists.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Director/Producer
AJ Mattioli
Times Square Gossip, (AJ) “could very well be considered the voice of the LGBTQ community in the independent film world.”
Drag Star Diva "Mattioli is hard at work to bring queer art to the forefront "
Huffington Post list AJ as “Top Ten Trans Filmmakers”
AJ Mattioli is the visionary behind Mattioli Productions, a leading queer film production and distribution company. A Queens-born, Brooklyn-based Trans producer and director with over 18 years of experience in the entertainment industry, Mattioli has made a significant impact on the LGBTQ+ community. His work has been celebrated at prestigious venues and platforms such as the Queens Museum, The United Nations, The New York Times, The Advocate, Huffington Post, Gay Star News, Go Magazine, and many more.
As one of the top producers in New York City’s queer filmmaking scene, Mattioli has collaborated with iconic LGBTQ+ celebrities, including Sasha Velour, Shakina Nayfack, Bob the Drag Queen, Cory Wade, Rain Dove, Peppermint, Carmen Carrera, Miss Fame, Horrorchata, and many others. Recently, he expanded his influence by launching Mattioli Distribution, a company dedicated to ensuring LGBTQ+ films receive the recognition and audience they deserve. Through this new venture, Mattioli Distribution partners with numerous LGBTQ+ owned outlets, championing their "Keep Your Money Rainbow" initiative.
AJ is also a proud ally of the Black Lives Matter movement and is passionate about the power of positive representation. As part of his "pay it forward" philosophy, Mattioli Productions donates a portion of its profits to charity, reinforcing a commitment to social justice and equality.
Production Company
Mattioli Productions
https://www.mattioliproductions.com
Trans owned, Queer operated production company
Are you ready for a queer experience like no other? We've got you covered with our diverse and captivating selection of films and series! From short films to full-length series, indulge in the LGBTQ+ community's stories that will entertain, educate, and empower you. Get your popcorn ready and join us on this incredible journey. Come, dive into our selection!
We are a Trans-owned and Queer-operated Film Production and Distribution company. We serve the LGBTQIA+ community by sharing our stories through groundbreaking globally distributed content. Representation matters.
Queer Liberation, not Rainbow Capitalism.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Imagine watching your loved one fade away, their memories slipping through their fingers like grains of sand. They begin to forget people, places, and the connections they once held dear. Now, imagine that the person they no longer recognize is you—the one who once meant everything to them.
Try and Remember is a deeply moving feature film that explores the intersection of dementia and transgender identity—two often-misunderstood realities that collide in one family's journey of love, loss, and resilience.
A Story of Strength: This film isn’t just about loss—it’s about courage, family, and what it truly means to be seen.
"Dementia is a thief, but it cannot steal the beauty of a life well-lived." - Unknown
"Being transgender is not just a medical transition. It's discovering who you are, living your life authentically, loving yourself, and spreading that love towards other people". - Unknown
Eli. a transgender man, has always had the unwavering support of his mother. But when dementia begins to erase her memories, she no longer recognizes him as her son. Instead, she sees a stranger in her home, questioning his very identity. With the help of his loving partner, Nguyen, and his overburdened sister, Pam, Eli must confront his greatest fear: losing his mother while she’s still alive.
In a time where trans erasure and misrepresentation are rampant, this story is committed to offering a much-needed, nuanced portrayal of a trans individual navigating the everyday realities of life—one that includes not only love and hardship, but the complicated nature of family dynamics. It aims to challenge harmful stereotypes by showcasing the humanity, resilience, and depth of trans characters, demonstrating that trans people deserve to be seen not only for their struggles, but for their growth, love, and capacity for caregiving.
This narrative seeks to elevate the visibility of trans individuals on screen, placing them at the center of important, emotional stories that reflect the shared human experience. By focusing on Eli’s journey, we hope to create space for meaningful conversations around identity, caregiving, and family, while pushing against the erasure of trans lives in mainstream media. It is crucial that trans stories, particularly those that reflect the multifaceted nature of our lives, are told with authenticity and care. This project strives to contribute to that ongoing effort, fostering empathy, understanding, and recognition for the trans community in a world that too often overlooks or distorts their existence.
- Representation and Visibility: As long as we can remember, trans people were either invisible or portrayed in harmful stereotypes in mainstream media. Now, more films are providing authentic depictions of trans individuals, allowing them to be seen as complex and multifaceted characters. Representation matters because it fosters understanding and empathy, not just for trans people but for society as a whole.
- Breaking Stereotypes: By portraying diverse trans experiences, these films help to challenge common misconceptions and stereotypes about trans people. Many people still hold outdated views, and movies provide an opportunity to break down these barriers and show the world that trans people lead rich, diverse, and valid lives, just like anyone else.
- Promoting Social Change: Movies have long been a tool for sparking social and political change. By highlighting the struggles and triumphs of trans people, filmmakers can raise awareness about the issues they face, such as discrimination, violence, access to healthcare, and legal recognition. These films can help educate viewers and push for societal reform.
- Giving Trans People a Voice: Many films now provide a platform for trans creators and actors to share their stories, both behind and in front of the camera. This is essential for giving trans people agency in how they are portrayed and ensuring that their voices are heard within the cultural conversation.
- Inspiring Hope and Solidarity: For trans viewers, seeing themselves reflected in movies can provide a sense of hope, validation, and belonging. It helps normalize the idea that they, too, deserve to have their stories told and that they are not alone in their experiences. It also fosters solidarity with allies who want to learn more and support the trans community.
- Expanding the Narrative: The inclusion of trans characters helps expand the range of stories that can be told in cinema. It allows filmmakers to explore themes of identity, self-discovery, and transformation in new ways, offering fresh perspectives that challenge traditional narratives and broaden our understanding of humanity.
Given the current moment of social progress, more people are pushing for equality and fairness, and media is one powerful tool for achieving that. Movies with trans people not only highlight the need for representation but also actively contribute to a cultural shift toward greater inclusion and understanding.
Giving Back: A portion of the film's net profits will support The Trevor Project and The Dementia Society of America, making your donation a force for real-world change.
Please Follow & Share!
Please note that we need a total of $200k in order to make this feature. This 30k will allow us to make bigger moves. If you are interested in investing please reach out to [email protected]
If you have a product you would like placed in the film, please contact us at [email protected]
Take a look at Mattioli Productions reel to see the quality of work!
Check out our other films at www.mattioliproductions.com
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CONSIDERING OUR PROJECT :)
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Locations
Costs $5,000
We need a house, a bar, a retirement home, and a restaurant. If you have a location in NY let us know!
Costumes
Costs $1,500
We have 4 main characters who play over several days. This means lots of costumes. Costumes help show who the character is.
Set Dressing and Props
Costs $1,500
Set dressing and props are crucial for creating authenticity, enhancing storytelling, and grounding characters in their environment.
Sound track
Costs $3,000
Music enhances emotion, sets the tone, and deepens the audience’s connection to the story and characters, elevating the film’s impact.
Food
Costs $5,000
A well fed crew is a happy crew. This will be a 18 day shoot and there will be about 25 crew members. Breakfast and lunch plus snacks!
Hardrives
Costs $1,000
These babies add up!
Grip and Electric
Costs $13,000
My crew is made up of 80% queer individuals. They are extremely talented. I have made several movies with this family. They are artists.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Director/Producer
AJ Mattioli
Times Square Gossip, (AJ) “could very well be considered the voice of the LGBTQ community in the independent film world.”
Drag Star Diva "Mattioli is hard at work to bring queer art to the forefront "
Huffington Post list AJ as “Top Ten Trans Filmmakers”
AJ Mattioli is the visionary behind Mattioli Productions, a leading queer film production and distribution company. A Queens-born, Brooklyn-based Trans producer and director with over 18 years of experience in the entertainment industry, Mattioli has made a significant impact on the LGBTQ+ community. His work has been celebrated at prestigious venues and platforms such as the Queens Museum, The United Nations, The New York Times, The Advocate, Huffington Post, Gay Star News, Go Magazine, and many more.
As one of the top producers in New York City’s queer filmmaking scene, Mattioli has collaborated with iconic LGBTQ+ celebrities, including Sasha Velour, Shakina Nayfack, Bob the Drag Queen, Cory Wade, Rain Dove, Peppermint, Carmen Carrera, Miss Fame, Horrorchata, and many others. Recently, he expanded his influence by launching Mattioli Distribution, a company dedicated to ensuring LGBTQ+ films receive the recognition and audience they deserve. Through this new venture, Mattioli Distribution partners with numerous LGBTQ+ owned outlets, championing their "Keep Your Money Rainbow" initiative.
AJ is also a proud ally of the Black Lives Matter movement and is passionate about the power of positive representation. As part of his "pay it forward" philosophy, Mattioli Productions donates a portion of its profits to charity, reinforcing a commitment to social justice and equality.
Production Company
Mattioli Productions
https://www.mattioliproductions.com
Trans owned, Queer operated production company
Are you ready for a queer experience like no other? We've got you covered with our diverse and captivating selection of films and series! From short films to full-length series, indulge in the LGBTQ+ community's stories that will entertain, educate, and empower you. Get your popcorn ready and join us on this incredible journey. Come, dive into our selection!
We are a Trans-owned and Queer-operated Film Production and Distribution company. We serve the LGBTQIA+ community by sharing our stories through groundbreaking globally distributed content. Representation matters.
Queer Liberation, not Rainbow Capitalism.