SEAT 31: ZOOEY ZEPHYR delves into a pivotal and deeply personal moment in the life of Montana state representative Zooey Zephyr, a transgender woman who was expelled from the Montana House of Representatives in April 2023. The expulsion came after Zephyr vocally opposed a bill aimed at restricting transgender rights.

Though Zephyr was permitted to vote for the remainder of the legislative session, she was relegated to watching the proceedings remotely, outside the chamber, transforming a bench in this area into her makeshift “office” with a simple post-it note reading “Seat 31.”

At its core, the film addresses the challenges, hostility and discrimination faced by the transgender community, particularly in conservative states like Montana, but it’s also a true celebration of trans and queer identities.

Directed and produced by the award-winning trans filmmaker Kimberly Reed and shot over one week with a small crew, the team, including queer editing duo Michael Palmieri and Donal Mosher (GOSPEL OF EUREKA), shines a light on Zooey’s strength and resilience, allowing viewers to experience the joy that trans characters in film are rarely allowed to feel.