How Filmmaking Mirrors the Identity Journey of Trans Storytellers Zackary Drucker and River Gallo

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Making a film can be unpredictable. Clearance issues might cause a beloved scene to be cut, or an unexpected connection might lead to last-minute funding. But no matter the challenges, filmmakers find ways to adapt and create magic. This ability to adjust and uncover beauty in the process of filmmaking is not unlike the journey of coming into one's trans identity. This was a central theme explored by filmmakers Zackary Drucker (The Stroll) and River Gallo (*Ponyboi) during a recent Sundance Collab online event titled "Toward Trans Possibilities."

Hosted by Moi Santos, the founder of the Sundance Institute’s Trans Possibilities Intensive, the conversation delved into how the identities of Drucker and Gallo have shaped their storytelling, the impact of authentic trans narratives, and the significance of their films, which Santos described as "visual archives honoring the legacies of trans sex workers."

**Exploring Identity Through Filmmaking**

For Zackary Drucker, the process of understanding and embracing her trans identity has always been fluid, much like the evolving nature of filmmaking. “My trans identity, it’s a story that’s always changing,” she reflected. “Everybody’s gender is different at every point in their lives, and aging is this other plane of experience, of existence.” Drucker shared that as a child, she was drawn to photography as a means of visualizing herself in ways that weren’t possible in her everyday life. “Photography was especially exciting for me as a way of visualizing myself in the world… The way that manifested was dressing up as a little girl and taking pictures of myself with Polaroids.” As she grew older, her passion for visual storytelling deepened through her love of film, where she found inspiration in the works of Fellini, Hitchcock, and the glamorous “silver screen sirens” of Hollywood.

Similarly, River Gallo emphasized how their trans experience parallels the creative journey of filmmaking. Gallo, who wrote, starred in, and produced *Ponyboi*, described their experience as one of navigating uncertainty—a recurring theme in both their personal life and creative process. “A large part of [*Ponyboi*] is accepting the uncertain parts of yourself and accepting the fact that I don’t know where I’m going, but I know it’s this direction and I’ll figure it out when I get there, which is so emblematic of the trans experience,” Gallo explained. Like Drucker, they see the trans experience as one that is “constantly shifting.”

**Setting Intentions and Honoring History**

A key takeaway from the discussion was the importance of setting intentions in their work and telling stories that need to be told, no matter the obstacles. For Drucker, entering a storyteller’s process involves recognizing a deep-seated drive within the creator. “When I’m entering a storyteller’s process, there’s an element of possession that I look for, which is that there is a person who is going to tell this story no matter what, and you can get on board and help them and be a messenger,” Drucker elaborated. She highlighted how Kristen Lovell, the co-director and narrator of *The Stroll*, was determined to tell the story of the trans women who worked the Meatpacking District in New York City for over two decades.

Drucker’s documentary *The Stroll*, which earned a Peabody Award in 2024 and a Special Jury Award for Clarity of Vision at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, delves into the history of trans sex workers in the pre-gentrified Meatpacking District. The film sheds light on a community that was once well-known in New York but has since been erased from the city’s landscape. “The girls who worked the Stroll were ubiquitous. Everybody in New York City knew about the trans women in the Meatpacking District. And yet, it’s been completely erased. There’s no visual indicators anywhere that that existed. There’s no plaque. There’s no monument. But hopefully, one day, there will be,” Drucker said.

Similarly, Gallo’s *Ponyboi*, which premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival in the U.S. Dramatic Competition, tells the story of a young intersex sex worker on the run after a drug deal goes awry. The film not only serves as a gripping narrative but also as a poignant exploration of the complexities of identity and survival.

**Conclusion: The Power of Authentic Trans Storytelling**

Through their films, Zackary Drucker and River Gallo demonstrate the power of authentic trans storytelling. Their works stand as visual archives that honor the legacies of those who have been marginalized and overlooked, bringing their stories to the forefront in a way that is both impactful and necessary. As they continue to navigate their own identities and creative processes, Drucker and Gallo remain committed to making films that not only reflect their journeys but also resonate with and inspire others. In doing so, they contribute to a broader understanding and appreciation of the rich, multifaceted experiences of trans individuals.