The entertainment industry has always been a challenging arena, but for trans actors and drag queens, the hurdles can feel particularly steep. Despite their immense talent and creativity, these artists often face systemic barriers that make it difficult to find opportunities, representation, and fair compensation. In this exclusive interview with Jordan Mattos, a seasoned film distributor and advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community, we dive into the unique struggles faced by trans and drag performers. Jordan shares invaluable insights about the systemic challenges in film distribution, offers advice for aspiring trans and drag actors, and highlights some groundbreaking LGBTQIA+ films currently making waves on the festival circuit. This conversation sheds light on the resilience and solidarity needed to thrive in an industry that still has much progress to make.
JORDAN! Please let us know more about yourself and what you do in the movie industry.
I’m a native New Yorker with a love of kitchen sink cinema and am a bit of a pinko. I work in distribution and sales, which means I handle all the things that happen after a film is finished.
You support the LGBTQIA+ community in the movie industry deeply. What touches you the most about it? What are you trying to change? What is hard about it?
I gravitate to underdog stories, and there is occasional overlap with the radical stories I try to support within the LGBTQIA+ community. I think what’s difficult is distribution, which suffers from the same systemic challenges that most businesses suffer from in the US. When you work in the arts in a country that considers welfare a bad word instead of a good one, then you know that artists are struggling. I’m always looking for those systemic solutions, in distribution in particular. It’s not easy.
I heard it is complicated for Trans actors and drag queens to get paid to do acting… Why is that?
It’s difficult for artists to get paid in general. To be part of a smaller community of artists, it will be even more challenging. So I see it as a systemic problem, rooted in the political and economic governing styles of the western world.
To all the readers that are applying to casting, can you let us know the steps that could help a trans/drag queen succeed? Is there any platform to help them? Any advice?
I think as with most underserved communities, solidarity is key. To me, that means contributing to your community and creating sustainable bonds based on collaboration and equity. Fight for it, stick together and don’t give up. Find the projects that are similar to what you want to do and make those connections… as platforms, continue on casting platforms as they are diverse and contact the directors and casting directors when they are looking for a specific part.
Last but not least: what are you working on at the moment that is connected to the LGBT world?
I’m currently representing a slate of LGBTQIA+ films and helping them tour the film festival circuit. SYDNEY & KIM just premiered at Newfest, by Hazel Katz. It’s a hilarious and beautifully shot 16mm short about two trans friends who spend a night in a hotel room post-surgery. BUST had its world premiere at Sundance this year, by Angalis Field. Lux Pascal and Cole Doman are in this 16mm gem about a NYC trans cop who has to bust one of her own. WEGEN HEGEL by Popo Fan is going to be part of a showcase at E-Flux. It’s about what happens on a hookup app when political interests don’t align. DEEP LISTENING is a new documentary about Pauline Oliveiros, one of the first queer electronic music and sound composers. These are strong, beautifully told stories by up-and-coming directors that have a strong visual style and an understated, political touch – all things that I love to support!
LINKS:
Distribution + Festival Consultant
*Berlinale Talents* *Venice Critics’ Week* *Locarno Industry Academy*
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