2024 was a year of contradictions; of an ascendant right-wing that swept Donald Trump to victory in the American presidential election, coupled with a banner year for queer and trans filmmaking. There are not one, but two trans filmmakers in my top 10 list. There’s even a transgender actress making serious Oscar season waves (although in talking about the best films of the year, the less said about Emila Perez the better.).

The landscape for transgender people has changed dramatically since the release of Transamerica in 2005. While some change has been positive - greater visibility and wider acceptance have also led to more virulent pushback, putting trans people in the crosshairs of a conservative culture war.