Tatiana Navarette (she/her) knew from her first film at age 16, that telling stories through film was her passion; "I knew that telling stories about marginalized & outcasted groups of people was my calling." We talk to Tatiana about her latest project, advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights, and her favorite pieces from our Collection.

Surely a star in the making, Tatiana's interview is a must-read.

Hey I’m Tati (she/her) As an LGBTQ+ filmmaker, I want to use my creative abilities to shed light on topics that inspire positive change. With an unwavering commitment to inclusivity and acceptance, I aim to fearlessly amplify the voices of the marginalized through filmmaking.

My love for filmmaking was sparked when I was very little. I remember watching behind-the-scenes footage of my favorite movies, and this ignited a deep curiosity within me. At 16 I entered my first film, "When I Heard in Color", into the Cherry Hill Film Fest and took home first place. It was at that moment I knew that telling stories about marginalized & outcasted groups of people was my calling. I let go of 4 years of mechanical engineering training to commit my life to the art of filmmaking.

Hands down the film I directed that I’m most proud of is my newest short film, “Born This Way”, starring Mattie Westbrouck. I currently am in month 10 of pushing this project to its potential & wow what a journey. This one is based on my true story of being an LGBTQ Camp Coordinator at a Christian Summer Camp. I'm grateful that I had the opportunity to tell this story as I know it’s one that will help a lot of LGBTQIA+ members and... well I can’t wait to share it with the world! 

It makes me sad, there is this part of me that sees the news and feel completely defeated. However, I have decided to change my perspective over the last 4 years. As someone who is passionate about advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, I try to use my anger as fuel. I believe we can let the pain crush us if we let it but we have the power to shift the narrative. We can use it to rise & create the change we want to see. 

I’m OBSESSED with the Rainbow Stripe set! Since I was a kid I have always loved rainbows, and well… surprise I still love rainbows. I have never been more comfortable and confident wearing a bathing suit. As someone who wakes up feeing masculine some days and feminine other days my insecurity of having a chest really gets in the way of my comfort. When I wear Humankind I feel that I can let go of my insecurities and expressing myself exactly as I am.