By Matt Grobar Deadline, Film Reporter
EXCLUSIVE: Freestyle Digital Media has acquired North American rights to the transgender-themed documentary This Is Jessica directed and produced by Andrea Meyerson, slating it for release on VOD on December 13.
The film exec produced by Marsha Naify documents the story of Jessica Bair — assigned male at birth and named Jonathan, while at the same time knowing she was a girl. Being born and raised in the Mormon church, Jessica also knew that saying so out loud could cause her to lose everything. In the quest to find herself, she had to be prepared to lose her family, her faith, her job—and nearly her life. Pic is billed as the story of a woman faced with an impossible choice between the life into which she was born, and the one she was born to live.
This Is Jessica‘s acquisition was negotiated between Freestyle Digital Media and Tiffany Boyle of Ramo Law. Watch the trailer for the Outfest Audience Award winner below.
FREESTYLE DIGITAL MEDIA ACQUIRES
“THIS IS JESSICA” FOR DECEMBER RELEASE
Poignant Transgender-Themed Documentary Sets Digital Debut for
North American VOD Platforms on December 13, 2022
Los Angeles, CA – Freestyle Digital Media, the digital film distribution division of Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group, has acquired North American VOD rights to the poignant and inspiring transgender-themed documentary THIS IS JESSICA. THIS IS JESSICA will be available to rent and own on North American global digital HD internet and satellite platforms on December 13, 2022, through Freestyle Digital Media.
THIS IS JESSICA documents the story of Jessica Bair – assigned male at birth and named Jonathan, while at the same time knowing she was a girl. Being born and raised in the Mormon church, Jessica/Jonathan also knew that saying so out loud could cause her to lose everything. In the quest to find herself, Jessica Bair had to be prepared to lose her family, her faith, her job—and nearly her life.
Terrified to reveal her true self, young Jessica/Jonathan instead set about creating the perfect life of a young Mormon man, becoming a missionary, marrying young and starting a family. Serving in the Army, hiding from the ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’ policy even as she enforced it as a military policeman and special agent, Jessica/Jonathan grew despondent about the chasm between who she was and who she was merely pretending to be. THIS IS JESSICA paints an intimate, emotional portrait of a woman forced to make a heart-wrenching decision in order to save herself. This is the story of a woman faced with an impossible choice between the life into which she was born, and the one she was born to live.
THIS IS JESSICA has won many awards, including the Outfest Los Angeles Film Festival “Audience Award – Best Documentary Feature,” the Cinema Diverse Film Festival “Festival Favorite Award” and “Director’s Award,” and the Through Women’s Eyes Film Festival “Team Choice Award,” their top honor.
THIS IS JESSICA was produced and directed by Andrea Meyerson. Marsha Naify served as Executive Producer. Cinematography and editing by Adriana Torres. Original score by Carla Patulla. Post Production Sound was supervised by Marla McGuire. Christopher Dawes served as Post Production Supervisor.
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT:
“I first met Jessica Bair in 2008 while she was volunteering for the Human Rights Campaign Gala. Her kindness, dedication, and quiet strength moved me greatly,” said filmmaker Andrea Meyerson. “We became friends and I learned she was raised in a conversative Mormon upbringing in Utah. I couldn’t help but wonder how this passionate lesbian activist navigated her journey to live as her true authentic self. Like any good documentary filmmaker, I asked Jessica if I could tell her story on film. At the time, she was not ready to be in the public eye and graciously declined. Several years later we saw each other at a fundraising event. The next morning, I received a text from her: she was ready to go public with her story if I was still interested. I was. Jessica and I both hope this film will create a better understanding for everyone and help others in the LGBTQ community with their journey to love and self-acceptance.”
Freestyle Digital Media negotiated the deal to acquire THIS IS JESSICA directly with Tiffany Boyle of Ramo Law.
THIS IS JESSICA website: www.thisisjessica.com
THIS IS JESSICA trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=GawXL3S52XI
About Freestyle Digital Media
The digital distribution unit of Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group, Freestyle Digital Media, is a premiere multi-platform distributor with direct partnerships across all major cable, digital and streaming platforms. Capitalizing on a robust infrastructure, proven track record and a veteran sales team, Freestyle Digital Media is a true home for independent films. Recent releases include BEST SUMMER EVER the teen musical featuring a fully integrated cast and crew of people with and without disabilities, produced by Jamie Lee Curtis, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Mary Steenburgen and Ted Danson, THE WEDDING YEAR starring Sarah Hyland and Anna Camp, THE LAST PHOTOGRAPH starring Danny Houston, BERSERK starring Nick Cannon, UNTOGETHER starring Jamie Doran, Jemima Kirke, Ben Mendelsohn, Alice Eve and Billy Crystal. Other Freestyle titles include the action-comedy BETTER START RUNNING starring Academy Award-winner Jeremy Irons and Maria Bello, THE BACHELORS starring Academy Award-winner J.K. Simmons, Julie Delpy and Odeya Rush, the award-winning documentary HONDROS produced by Jamie Lee Curtis and Jake Gyllenhaal, horror documentary DEMON HOUSE starring Zak Bagans, host of Travel Channel’s highest rated show Ghost Adventures, sci-fi thriller THE RECALL starring Wesley Snipes, MILES starring Molly Shannon and Paul Reiser and the animated feature HELL & BACK starring Nick Swardson, Mila Kunis and Bob Odenkirk.
For more information, visit:
www.entertainmentstudios.com
www.freestyledigitalmedia.tv