THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

Starting Nov. 16-18, in conjunction with the Human Rights Campaign, the film will be available to stream free nationwide followed by a panel discussion on Nov. 18 with director Luchina Fisher and star Gloria Allen. On Nov. 20, Transgender Day of Remembrance, the film will return to Chicago, where it made its successful world premiere at the 56th Chicago International Film Festival, to begin an open-ended theatrical run at the Gene Siskel Film Center. And on Nov. 21, Fisher and Allen will speak after a screening of the film at the Teaneck International Film Festival in New Jersey.

For more details on the screenings, please visit: www.mamagloriafilm.com .

Mama Gloria tells the story of Chicago's Black transgender icon Gloria Allen, now in her 70s, who blazed a trail for trans people like few others before her. Emerging from Chicago's South Side drag ball culture in the 1960s, Gloria overcame traumatic violence to become a proud leader in her community. Most famously, she pioneered a charm school for young transgender people that served as inspiration for the hit play Charm. Luchina Fisher's empathic and engaging documentary is not only a portrait of a groundbreaking legend, but also a celebration of unconditional love, the love Gloria received from her own mother and that she now gives to her chosen children. And it is driven by the love that Luchina has for her teenage transgender daughter, Gia.

The film features an original song by trans activist and singer Shea Diamond and pop singer/songwriter Justin Tranter, who has penned hits for Lady Gaga, Dua Lipa, and Justin Bieber. MAMA GLORIA is the directorial debut of director/writer Luchina Fisher (Birthright: A War Story). It is produced by acclaimed filmmaker Yvonne Welbon (Living with Pride: Ruth Ellis @100) and Zainab Ali.

RogerEbert.com calls MAMA GLORIA a "fascinating look" at an icon in the transgender community, and the Chicago Reader writes, "At a time when the trans community is maligned, often to violent ends, it's refreshing to watch something about love within this community—especially Allen's love for herself."

About Luchina Fisher

Luchina Fisher is an award-winning writer and filmmaker. Her most recent film, the critically acclaimed feature documentary Birthright: A War Story, which she co-executive produced and co-wrote, appeared in more than 70 theaters nationwide, qualified for Oscar consideration and is streaming on Amazon Prime. She is the director of two short films, including Danger Word, which was nominated for best narrative short by the Pan African and BronzeLens film festivals and has appeared on the Aspire network. Additionally, Luchina has written and produced several nationally broadcast documentaries as well as numerous segments for television. She began her career as a journalist and has written for People, the Miami Herald, The New York Times, O, The Oprah Magazine and ABCNews.com . She is a Sisters in Cinema Documentary Fellow, and Mama Gloria is her feature directorial debut.