TranSending tells the story of Erin Parisi, a transgender woman training to conquer the Seven Summits. Through this pilgrimage of self-discovery and rebirth, she aims to create awareness and visibility for the trans community.
Creative production studio Stept partnered with hiking and outdoors brand Merrell to make the film, championed by executive producer Lindsey Hagen who worked with Parisi for over two years in order to find the perfect team to translate her heroic tale to the screen. Said Hagen, “When I first met Erin I was struck by her vulnerability and unbelievable courage. On this incredible journey, she carries not only her own story, but also that of the trans community as a whole. Her quest transcends the sphere of gender, bringing to light a broader conversation about identity and integrity.”
The Seven Summits is the ultimate mountaineering feat that only a little over 400 climbers have accomplished. Reaching the highest summit on each continent has taken some trekkers as little as 119 days and several decades for others. While the climbers hail from dozens of countries and span more than 60 years in age difference, Parisi will be the first transgender person to attain the lofty goal. She has already climbed the highest peaks in Australia, Africa, Russia, and South America in under one year. The remaining three–Everest, Denali, and Vinson Massif–will be the most challenging.
For Parisi, climbing the Seven Summits is a platform to promote transgender inclusion and education. In 2018 she founded TranSending7, a 501(c)(3) dedicated to improving transgender outcomes by expanding athletic opportunities and creating safe spaces in sports where trans people can gain vital life skills. Said Parisi, “Having spent my life relegated to shadows, I now see these summits as the only places where no shadows exist. These places represent the highest points where I can stand unashamed, strong, and confidant in who I am.”
For this film the Stept team felt particularly strong about the need for proper representation behind the lens. They partnered with director Marin Hart on the project. Hart said, “I first learned about Erin’s goal from an article in Outside Magazine. Being a female director in the queer community, my intention is to give a voice to people with outstanding ambitions that can teach a universal lesson to all. Erin didn’t necessarily want to be visible, but the trans community needs a role model like her. I am honored to be a part of telling her story.”
The film has been accepted into the Mountainfilm Festival in Telluride, Colorado and the 5 Point Adventure Film Festival in Carbondale, Colorado.
Brand Merrell Production Company Stept Studios Marin Hart, director; Lindsey Hagen, exec producer; Chris Naum, DP/editor
Vanish, BETC Havas and LOBO Reveal The Invisible Stains Of Bullying
Stain remover Vanish presents this emotional short film--created by BETC Havas, Sao Paulo, and produced by LOBO--that explores the profound consequences of bullying and highlights the importance of open conversations between parents and children. Titled The Bully Monster, the animated film premiered at the Maquinaria Festival in Rio de Janeiro on February 15 in a special edition featuring family-focused programming.
The film’s protagonist is a boy who experiences bullying at school but keeps silent about his suffering. Isolation turns sadness into insecurity, creating invisible emotional scars that only grow in the absence of dialogue. When his mother notices stains on his uniform, these marks become the starting point for a revealing conversation. As words find space to make themselves heard, the stains begin to fade.
This initiative aligns with the Vanish Saves Your Uniform campaign, which, for the past three years during the back-to-school season, has engaged with parents by positioning the brand as a trusted partner in preserving school uniforms. This year, Vanish decided to broaden the conversation, bringing bullying into the debate as the real stain that can impact a child’s life.
The Bully Monster is being screened as preshow material in movie theaters starting February 20 and will also be available on streaming platforms and digital channels. In addition to the film, the campaign will include out-of-home activations and school initiatives through a partnership with Abrace – Preventive Programs, the founding organization of the “Bullying-Free Schools” program, which has been equipping institutions with resources to combat school violence for 12 years.
“Research indicates that stains on a uniform can... Read More