SYNOPSIS
When Anna struggles to navigate life as a young trans woman, she meets Chloe and finds in her the community and support she has been missing. After many memorable hikes together, Anna is devastated to learn that Chloe is moving away.
As they go on one last hike among the redwoods, Anna can’t bear to say goodbye. Set against a backdrop of rising anti-trans legislation across the country, Memories of Redwoods is a quiet, emotionally intimate story about trans friendship, chosen family, and hope for the future.
INSPIRED BY FRIENDSHIP
This film honors my friend Sarah and was inspired by a series of hikes through Muir Woods and The Bay Area during the early days of my gender transition.
During a time when I struggled immensely with mental health and gender dysphoria, walking among the redwoods helped me survive some of my darkest moments.
Even as my trans friends have moved away due to a rise in anti-trans legislation across the US and around the world, I felt compelled to tell a personal, intimate story of hope.
At the heart of the film is a simple idea that Chloe shares with Anna: “Keep doing the little things that make you smile.”
Filmed in VRCHAT
Memories of Redwoods was filmed in VRChat, a social virtual reality platform, using a hybrid process that combines traditional filmmaking, 3D animation, and VR motion capture.
The team worked remotely inside shared VRChat worlds, where actors used VR headsets and body trackers to map their physical movements onto animated avatars, while a virtual camera captured the performances directly inside VRChat. Learn more.
TEAM
Eliza Zhang
Writer, Director, Producer, Composer
Eliza is a Chinese American, trans filmmaker, film composer, and product manager based in San Francisco, CA. Memories of Redwoods marks her directorial debut and combines intimate storytelling with 3D animation and VR motion capture technology.
At Studio Penrose, Eliza previously scored the short film Our Precious Autumn, which premiered at Raindance Immersive, part of the Raindance Film Festival. Eliza also leads the Research Team at the Alliance for Women Film Composers.
Donavan Garza | Cinematographer, Editor
Dymond Billins | Writer
HoneyOni | Voice Actor (Anna)
Laina Oxton | Voice Actor (Chloe)
Gage Triolo | Mocap Actor (Anna)
Edwin Han | Mocap Actor (Chloe)
Avatar Developers
Jennifer Chan, Edwin Han, Eliza Zhang, Kadeko, Khang Lu
Shelly M. Meshulam | Sound and Foley
Natalie Ava McMullen | Original Song "Below the Waves"
Lael Swart | Original Song "Maybe If You"
Gallery
UPCOMING SCREENINGS
PREVIOUS SCREENINGS
Out On Film, Atlanta's LGBTQ Film Festival
Tuesday, September 29th 5pm EDT
Landmark Midtown Art Cinema