This Short Film Captures the Microaggressions Trans People Face IRL

We know microaggressions happen every single day to many people of marginalized identities and communities, and thanks to a new, stylish short film from director Braden Summers, we're confronted with that reality and what it looks like for transgender people. 

Shot in a single frame, Frame of Mind: Elevate does a good job of showing audiences all the unnecessary and unwanted social interactions that happen to trans people who are just minding their business and going about their day-to-day lives.

"People of the Trans Community can experience both wide systemic injustices, as well as social microaggressions while expressing their gender identity. This devaluation of their humanity is bigoted and must be eradicated," reads the film's official description. "The goal of this film is to explore a spectrum of behavior that trans people may experience while in a familiar setting, where actions often speak louder than words."

In Elevate, an unnamed trans heroine (played by Aus Wang) takes a mundane, regular elevator ride in her New York City apartment building. As the elevator starts to get more and more crowded, we see how different people react to her. Some people offer a kind smile. Some people are indifferent. Some people give her strange looks. And some people even snicker at her and take pictures of her behind her back.

"Through the casts’ variety, we may see ourselves and experience a reflection of our actions, helping us better confront our own biases, diminish ignorance and champion our ability to treat others equally for the betterment of all," Summers said in a statement about the short. "This understanding may spark inspiration to help change hearts and minds for an equal and beautiful experience of social justice."

Watch Frame of Mind: Elevate below, and for more information on the film visit the official website here!