Just a couple years after receiving a non-dilutive grant from Georgia State University’s Main Street Entrepreneurs Seed Fund, Emily Wilson (B.A. ’21), founder of EKAT Productions, has teamed up with Didi Paulini of Didi Productions and Jennifer Spell of Spellbound Pictures to produce two feature length documentaries. The projects, titled “Transcendence” and “ALFA Rising,” focus on the LGBTQ+ communities in Atlanta.
EKAT joined the production team for “Transcendence” in the fall of 2023 just days before shooting interviews began. Together, the filmmaking trio filmed and interviewed seven transgender people from Atlanta. “Transcendence” was officially selected for the 2024 Out On Film Festival and premiered in Atlanta on October 6.
“Our goal for this project is to shine a light on these stories that are usually overlooked. We found people who just recently transitioned, people who have been transitioned for years, people who work in corporate, people who work in film, a pastor, and just a really diverse group to show the intersectionality of the transgender community.” – Emily Wilson
Production on the second documentary, “ALFA Rising,” began earlier this year. EKAT Productions joined the project to assist with both production and editing the concept trailer. The team used the trailer to promote the film and raise funds to continue production this summer. After a successful crowdfunding campaign, the filmmaking trio traveled to Washington, D.C., New York, and Germany to interview former members of the Atlanta Lesbian Feminist Alliance (ALFA).
“It has been truly inspiring to listen to the ALFA members talk about their lives. In the 1970s to 1990s, ALFA had a huge impact on the progression of the LGBTQ+ and feminist movements. In a lot of ways, Atlanta is the way it is because of the work of these women and other activists of their time. ” – Emily Wilson
Since the initial shoot, the trio, along with ALFA Co-Founder, Lorraine Fontana, have been working to secure additional funds through grants and crowdfunding to support the remaining production, post-production, and distribution efforts. They plan to continue production in the fall and release the documentary in 2025.
Emily credits much of EKAT’s continued success to her time in the Main Street accelerator. Through the program, she received valuable support through funding and mentorship, which enabled her to upgrade equipment, grow her online presence, and increase her client base.
“I learned so much from my work with ENI and Main Street. I am the video editor and producer I am today because of the support from the ENI team and community. I am so grateful for having had the opportunity to be a MSESF recipient and it’s so exciting to see ENI continue to uplift young entrepreneurs today.” – Emily Wilson
NOTABLE TRAILERS:
Out On Film Festival “Transcendence”
PHOTO BELOW: Transcendence behind the scenes with (from left to right) Andrea Varela, Timothée Allison, Jay Dinh, Didi Paulini, Emily Wilson, and Jennifer Spell (front).
