For Immediate Release
September 22nd, 2022
CHAGUANAS (September 22nd, 2022) — The Silver Lining Foundation (SLF) is pleased to announce the nomination of our comprehensive sex education (CSE) project “My Maxi” for Best Film As Decided by a Youth Jury and Best Trinidad & Tobago Film at the 2022 Trinidad & Tobago Film Festival.
Commissioned by SLF as a part of our “CSE? Say Less!” campaign advocating for comprehensive sex education for all, “My Maxi” is a short narrative film that seeks to address the lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ people to encourage healthy discourse about diversity, inclusivity and sexual identity and build stronger familial relationships.
“We have always envisioned that CSE will be accessible to everyone, regardless of circumstance, and we are happy to have this short film be a part of that journey,” says Earl AJ Edmund, Communications Director at SLF.
The short film tells the story of Marcus, who is desirous of building a closer relationship with his parents. After a big revelation, things take an unparalleled turn with his father’s over-enthusiastic approach to his new relationship with his son. The short film is directed by Andrei J Pierre and boasts a cast of bright stars including Deborah Maillard, Sean Thompson, Andrew Friday, Joanna Elias, Curtis Bachan, Scott Marchack and Joel Bayley.
“This short film was produced as part of our CSE advocacy campaign. Film is definitely a tool of activism and we hoped to reach and engage not only the youth but also parents,” says Renelle White, Gender Affairs Director at the Foundation, on the short film’s nomination. “The fact that the film is nominated for Best TT film says a lot about how much the national landscape has evolved. A film with very clear LGBTQIA+ themes is nominated to represent Trinidad and Tobago, as the best. This is truly amazing to see and a big win for activists like SLF who have, along with other LGBTQIA+ organisations advocated for the LGBTQIA+ community to have the same rights as others, for them to be valued and treated as equal citizens of Trinidad and Tobago. This is an amazing feat, one that we do not take lightly or for granted. We continue to do this for the youth and we really hope that we will win the minds, hearts and the political will and commitment of policy makers, politicians and leaders to implement mandatory comprehensive sex education in all schools and educational facilities to create safer spaces.”
“My Maxi” will be screened on September 22nd at 8 pm at MovieTowne POS (Screen 10) and on September 26th at 5:30 pm at MovieTowne POS (Screen 9).
The 2022 Trinidad & Tobago Film Festival (TTFF) takes place September 22 – 28.
Official Synopsis:
“Marcus is inspired to seek a closer relationship with his outspoken mother and oblivious father. He makes several attempts to reach them during their daily routine, looking for the right opportunity to have a needed but casual chat about his sexual orientation and journey of self-identity. Eventually, he musters the courage and has a breakthrough. However, things take a turn when his over-enthusiastic father takes his new relationship with his son to a whole other level.”
For more information about the film, please visit:
www.ttfilmfestival.com/film/my-maxi
About SLF
SLF is a guardian body for the prevention of bullying, suicide and discrimination, geared primarily towards lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or questioning (LGBTQ) youths. We are guided by a multi-pronged approach under the framework of support, education & advocacy (S.E.A) where we envision that we will be able to empower youth, create safer classrooms and build stronger families.
To view SLF’s Comprehensive Sex Education (CSE) resources, please visit:
Contact — Earl AJ Edmund (Communications Director), 1-868-499-5833
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