Jake Graf

Jake Graf, born in London, is a transgender actor, writer, and director. Currently living in the United Kingdom, Graf studied Media Studies and Film at the University of Westminster. Graf later went on to study at the London School of Dramatic Art as well as Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle.

Early career

Graf got into film as he found himself living in his imagination. That he loved how film opened up another world as a welcoming outlet. He was a fan of the James Bond and Star Wars, and liked the works of actors Clint Eastwood and Ben Affleck.^[1] Graf's first work within the industry was a screenplay dealing with his experiences^[2] in making a female to male transition. Short films such as X-WHY (2011), Brace (2015), and Chance (2015) has given the film director a way to open up about his sexual identity through explaining what it was like to go through the process of being a trans gendered individual.

Short films

X-WHY (2011)

X-WHY, directed and produced by Graf in 2011, is about the natural changes that a young trans man goes through during his transition. The main character Sam, played by Graf, goes through emotional and physical changes as a result of his sex reassignment surgery.^[1] Although the film maintains an honest and humorous tone, X-WHY reflects the trials and hardships of trans people. The film selected to be shown at the 26th BFI London Film Festival in 2012 and was shortlisted for the Iris Award in the same year.

Brace (2015)

Brace is a short trans-themed film written by Graf. The film is about the relationship between Adam, played by Graff, and Rocky. As the film progresses, the two men fall in love with each other. Throughout the film, Adam has a secret that he does not know if his partner will ever accept. The film makes it clear that both characters want to be accepted within the society which, to do so, they must accept themselves. The film was described as “a queer film festival favourite…” due to its subject matter.^[3]

Chance (2015)

Dealing with the main character named Trevor, his wife dies; he starts to feel as his life has no more meaning. He begins to feel very lonely within his everyday living until he meets up with someone who is going through the same emotions. Both of them share this similarity; they both start to relive their lives. Chance was directed and produced by Graf and was screened within 35 different film festivals.^[4]

Achievements

Graf became the first transgender film director to appear on four magazine covers, including QX. He also wrote an article for Cosmopolitan titled, "17 things you should never say to a trans person," and after a few of his short films, he is in the process of making another one called Dawn.^[4] In 2015, Graf was invited to visit the White House to take part in a Q&A with president Barack Obama.^[4] In 2016, Graf has been featured in G Zone magazine, Turkey and the middle East's LGBT Magazine, and is one of the official faces of the FTM Magazine.

References