Heightened Scrutiny

West Coast Premiere!

Co-presented by TransUP (Transgender UCLA Pride) and the UCLA Film & Television Archive.

Democracy, truth, and justice hang in the balance in this riveting documentary that follows the battle against anti-trans legislation to the highest court in the land. The spotlight falls on ACLU attorney Chase Strangio as he becomes the first openly transgender person to argue before the U.S. Supreme Court. The case's outcome will have far-reaching implications for bodily autonomy in areas including contraception, abortion, and reproductive healthcare.

A powerful supporting cast features veteran journalists Gina Chua, Jelani Cobb, and Lydia Polgreen, alongside activist and actress Laverne Cox, as they systematically expose and counter anti-trans disinformation campaigns in mainstream media. Followed by a Q&A with director Sam Feder, producer Amy Scholder, and journalist, critic, editor, and podcaster Tre'vell Anderson.

2025, dir: Sam Feder. DCP, color, 85 min.