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PHOEBE

"PHOEBE" is a feature length bio-documentary about an accidental activist, author and self-identified "transsexual pioneer." Throughout the 1950s and 60s, Phoebe Smith (1939 - 2025) petitioned for fair treatment, but could not receive GRS (gender affirming surgery) legally in Georgia. After almost two decades of pleading for answers, in January of 1969 Phoebe flew across the country and walked across the border (into Mexico) hoping to finally make her transition.

Realizing others might benefit from her experience, Phoebe wrote two well-received autobiographies ("Phoebe", 1979 and "From Sharecropper’s Son to Who’s Who in American Women", 2014) and self-published an almost 15 year run of the invaluable, worldwide newsletter, "The Transexual Voice" (TV, circa 1980 to 1994).

Captured during her 80th year, and featuring testimonials from Jamison Green, Ph.D. and Dallas Denny, Phoebe’s retrospective catalogs her journey, impact and integral role in 20th century Trans American history.

  • Katie Leaman
    Director
  • Robert Palsgaard-Anglin
    Producer
  • Phoebe Smith
    Key Cast
  • Hannah Patterson
    DP / Editor
  • Ly Bolia
    Producer / Lead Editor
  • Katie Leaman
    Executive Producer
    Saffron Kingdom
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Feature, Short
  • Runtime:
    46 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    March 23, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    15,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
Director Biography - Katie Leaman

A Georgia native, Katie brings their diverse portfolio and experience to the project as a an Emmy nominated sound designer and award-winning producer, screenwriter and director. Leaman believes in the magic of storytelling. Their enthusiasm for sound, cinema, and justice is infectious, and has brought her work to festivals around the country and internationally (ARFF, ATLFF, Canada Diversity Film Festival, BUEIFF, NOFF, Sundance, Sidewalk, and more).

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