Anastasis
An LGBTQ Sci-Fi Short film
After crash-landing on a hostile alien planet, a spirited young trans woman and her well-meaning father must learn to better understand each other and repair their ship if they want to leave the planet alive.
Our hope with ANASTASIS is that it will inspire connection and foster understanding while also reinforcing the need for more female sci-fi movies and highlighting the importance of films with transgender characters.
Status: Post-Production
THE DIRECTOR
Josie Maye Hurtley is a filmmaker from Salt Lake City with a passion for uplifting trans and queer stories through the magic of sci-fi.
Drawing on her background in acting, design, prop making, and even military aviation, she blends traditional techniques like miniatures with cutting-edge tech to create spectacular, personal worlds.
Josie tells deeply human stories of love, resilience, and hope—like ANASTASIS, a sci-fi short that explores the trans experience through intimate storytelling and retro effects, showing that even fractured relationships can heal amidst rising anti-trans hostility.
THE CREATIVE TEAM
-
![]()
JOSIE HURTLEY
WRITER | DIRECTOR | PRODUCTION DESIGNER
SHE/HER - TRANSGENDER WOMAN
-
![]()
CAYDEN TURNBOW
PRODUCER
HE/HIM
-
![]()
AUGUST FARMER
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
SHE/HER - TRANSGENDER WOMAN
-
![]()
Mae Hinton-Godfrey
ART DIRECTOR | COSTUME COORDINATOR | MAKEUP ARTIST
SHE/THEY - NONBINARY
-
![]()
Solstice Harris
1st ASSISTANT CAMERA
SHE/HER - TRANSGENDER WOMAN
-
![]()
Kohl Bybee
2nd ASSISTANT CAMERA
HE/HIM
-
![]()
Jasmine Xanthos
SOUND MIXER
SHE/HER
-
![]()
SOPHIE WHITE
SOUND MIXER
SHE/THEY/HE - NONBINARY
-
![]()
SYDNEY OSTENDORF
MARKETING MANAGER
SHE/HER - BISEXUAL WOMAN
-
![]()
YEIN JI
LEAD EDITOR
SHE/HER
support the film
The heart of ANASTASIS has been filmed, but now we need your help to complete the mission.
Your contributions will go towards:
Creating an original score
Hiring a VFX artist
Sound design and color grading
Payback crew members
Cover festival submission fees
Every donation brings us closer to our goal of sharing this story on the festival circuit and beyond. If you believe in the power of independent film and want to see fresh voices in the industry, we’d love for you to join us in completing ANASTASIS!
Behind the Scenes
DIVERSITY COMMITMENT
ANASTASIS is both a story by and for the queer community. Led by writer and director Josie Maye Hurtley, a trans woman, the production intentionally prioritizes trans and queer representation within its creative team.
The team includes Director of Photography August Farmer (she/her), a trans woman whose expertise will shape the film’s visual storytelling, supported by First AC Solstice Harris (she/her), a trans woman with extensive film experience.
The film’s leads are also under the trans umbrella: Dakota Hommes, a trans actress known for her work on TikTok, stars as Anastasia, with Alexis Baigue (he/she/they/it), a nonbinary actor, playing Grady. ANASTASIS aims to create an inclusive environment that reflects the values at the heart of its story.
