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Seat 31: Zooey Zephyr
Seat 31: Zooey Zephyr
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After Zooey Zephyr’s expulsion from the Montana House of Representatives for defending transgender medical care she claims a nearby bench as her “office,” transforming a shocking political moment into an opportunity to defend her constituents, embrace her identity and community, and celebrate joy.

Directed by award-winning filmmaker Kimberly Reed.

ABOUT THE FILM

SEAT 31: ZOOEY ZEPHYR delves into a pivotal and deeply personal moment in the life of Montana state representative Zooey Zephyr, a transgender woman who was expelled from the Montana House of Representatives in April 2023. The expulsion came after Zephyr vocally opposed a bill aimed at restricting transgender rights.

Though Zephyr was permitted to vote for the remainder of the legislative session, she was relegated to watching the proceedings remotely, outside the chamber, transforming a bench in this area into her makeshift “office” with a simple post-it note reading “Seat 31.” 

At its core, the film addresses the challenges, hostility and discrimination faced by the transgender community, particularly in conservative states like Montana, but it’s also a true celebration of trans and queer identities.

Directed and produced by the award-winning trans filmmaker Kimberly Reed and shot over one week with a small crew,  the team, including queer editing duo Michael Palmieri and Donal Mosher (GOSPEL OF EUREKA), shines a light on Zooey’s strength and resilience, allowing viewers to experience the joy that trans characters in film are rarely allowed to feel.

SCREENINGS

  • Big Sky Documentary Film Festival 

    Florida Film Festival

    IFF Boston

    MountainFilm

    Translations Seattle Transgender Film Festival

    DC/DOX

    Palm Springs International ShortFest

    Frameline

    Queer Rhapsody Los Angeles

    Outsouth Queer Film Festival

    CinemaQ Film Festival 

    All Genders, Lifestyles, and Identities
    Film Festival (aGLIFF) 

    Out on Screen: Vancouver Queer Film Festival

    Fresno Reel Pride Film Festival

    Lunenburg Doc Fest 

    Port Townsend Film Festival

    Shorts Mexico Film Festival

    Fargo-Morehead LGBT Film Festival

    Appalachian Queer Film Festival 

    PERLEN - Queer Film Festival Hannover 

    OUT at the Movies International Film Fest 

    Fabulous Independent Film Festival 

    Original Thinkers

    Hamptons International Film Festival

    NewFest

    Out Here Dayton Film Festival

    Woodstock Film Festival

    Seattle Queer Film Festival

    Q-Fest

    Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival

    ZeFestival

    Globe Docs

    Metrograph

    IDFA

    DOC NYC

    Sun Valley Film Festival

FROM THE FILMMAKER

When I heard that Zooey Zephyr wasn’t being recognized to speak from the floor of the Montana House of Representatives because of her comments about healthcare for transgender youth, I knew I had to return to my hometown to capture the political division and suppression aimed at trans folks like Zooey and me.

I expected to see lots of attacks, but I was also thrilled to see how Zooey, and her partner Erin Reed, responded to mean and juvenile attacks with a spirit that was generous, open-hearted and unwaveringly optimistic. I thought we might be able to make a film that focused not on the suffering of trans and queer folks, but rather on the joy and love we experience. Zooey made that an easy story to tell – I just had to follow her and focus on her natural state of being, all the way to Queer Prom!

– Kimberly Reed, Director/Producer

AWARDS & DISTINCTIONS

WINNER
Big Sky Documentary Film Festival 2024 - Mini Doc Competition

WINNER
Palm Springs International ShortFest 2024 - Best Documentary Short

WINNER
Frameline 2024 - Jury Award, Outstanding Documentary Short

WINNER
CinemaQ 2024 - Audience Award and Best Short Film

OFFICIAL SELECTION
DC/DOX 2024
Hamptons International Film Festival 2024
Woodstock Film Festival 2024
Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival 2024

FEATURING

ZOOEY ZEPHYR

ERIN REED

SID BEARDSLEE

RYAN COONEY

PAUL SG KIM

MARA SILVERS

SJ HOWELL

FILMMAKERS

Directed & Producer
KIMBERLY REED

Executive Producers
MEADOW FUND
JAMES COSTA
TREVOR BURGESS

Co-Producers
ROBIN HONAN
MICHAEL PALMIERI
DONAL MOSHER
ISRAEL EHRISMAN

Editor
MICHAEL PALMIERI

Assistant Editor
DONAL MOSHER

Music By
MICHAEL PALMIERI

Director of Photography
JUSTIN LUBKE

Cinematography
MIKE CLARK
KIMBERLY REED

Post-production Services
SHOOT THE MOON STUDIO

Post-production Supervisor
ISRAEL EHRISMAN

VFX & Colorist 
CLAIRE JONES

Re-recording Mixer
MATTHEW ROCKER

CONTACT

LOS ANGELES PUBLICITY
David Magdael: dmagdael@dmagpr.com

SAN FRANCISCO PUBLICITY
Karen Larsen: karen@larsenassc.com

DISTRIBUTION CONTACT
Sarah Lash: sarah_lash@condenast.com

FESTIVAL BOOKINGS
Jeffrey Winter: jeffrey@thefilmcollaborative.org