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Grist

A genderqueer musician finds home in an underground community of healers in the aftermath of assault.

  • Taylor Dominique Mason
    Director
    Santé
  • Taylor Dominique Mason
    Writer
  • Taylor Dominique Mason
    Producer
  • Aneisa Hicks
    Key Cast
    "Ryan"
  • Brianna Buckley
    Key Cast
    "Jian"
  • Angel Paige Smigielski
    Key Cast
    "Mel"
  • Davian Thomas
    Key Cast
    "Moody"
  • Sydney Swanson
    Key Cast
    "Jazz"
  • Gilber Domally
    Key Cast
    "Trey"
  • Nia Wright
    Key Cast
    "Young Ryan"
  • Carla Uter
    Key Cast
    "Mom"
  • Melissa Pratt
    Cinematographer
    Paper Girls, The Bear, The Chi, Chicago Med
  • Bryan Evans
    Composer
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama
  • Runtime:
    17 minutes 24 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    July 31, 2023
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital 4K
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2:39:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Black Harvest Film Festival
    Chicago, IL
    United States
    November 9, 2023
    World Premier
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Taylor Dominique Mason

Taylor Dominique Mason (they/them) is a writer, filmmaker, and healing arts practitioner based in Chicago.

A graduate of Columbia College Chicago, Taylor’s first film 'Sante' premiered at the 28th Annual Black Harvest Film Festival in 2022, and was recognized by The Caucus Foundation and the Albert P. Weisman Award at Columbia College Chicago.

Taylor is driven to tell stories that center femmes and families of color, and the ways in which marginalized communities strive for bodily autonomy and intergenerational healing through nature, ritual, and ancestral connection.

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Director Statement

‘Grist’ is inspired by the resilience and creativity of Black, Brown, queer, and trans communities and the ways that they have historically taken healing and survival into their own hands in the midst of violence and the absence of institutional support.

As our society grapples with rampant violence against women, femmes, and queer and trans people, 'Grist' leverages magical realism to re-imagine what it looks like for survivors to take matters of healing and safety in their own hands.

Filmed in my home in Chicago with the support of local vendors and community, 'Grist' is my second film to date. Our cast and crew reflects the ethos of the project. The film’s team is largely led by women, femme, and gender non-forming people of color, with 21 out of 28 of the cast and crew identifying as women and femmes across the gender spectrum. Sixty percent of our team members identify as femmes of color, and 44% openly identify as Black queer and trans people.