Trace Lysette Launches GoFundMe Campaign to Promote Indie Film Monica

In 2022, the trans-led indie film Monica premiered at the Venice Film Festival. Its leading star, Trace Lysette, received an 11-minute standing ovation for her performance in the film.

Unfortunately, securing distribution and promotion for an LGBTQ+ independent movie can be really tough. Monica did finally land distribution and is setting a release date for 2023, but the next challenge is promoting the film.

As a result, Lysette shared a candid video on Instagram asking for support and directing her fans to a GoFundMe page intended to help her with publicity funds for the movie.

You can watch Lysette’s full Instagram video below.

Monica was written and directed by Andrea Pallaoro. Besides Lysette in the titular role, the movie also features Patricia Clarkson as Eugenia, Emily Browning as Laura, Adriana Barraza as Leticia, and Joshua Close as Paul.

“Industry insiders know that every article, interview, and magazine cover happens because you have someone in your corner pitching you to prestigious outlets in the hopes that you will get to talk about your work. So in other words… pouring yourself into a passion project like Monica is only half of the battle,” Lysette explained on her GoFundMe page.

She added, “A good publicist will cost you $5 to $6k per month. And most have a minimum commitment of a certain number of months. It’s been recommended to me to try and secure six months. I am shooting for four. I can cover two myself and ask friends and supporters to match me and help me secure the other two months so that this film, this trans story, and our work can have a fair shot.”

We love Trace Lysette and can’t wait for Monica to have a wider release. We hope LGBTQ+ fans watch the film and promote the incredible amount of work that this trans legend is putting into her craft!

You can help Trace Lysette raise publicity funds for Monica through her GoFundMe page.