Documentary QUEER ELDERS PROJECT from GAY AGENDA Enters Post-Production Following Year-Long Shoot
TORONTO (February 24, 2026) – A deeply personal and visually rich exploration of aging within the 2SLGBTQ+ community, groundbreaking documentary Queer Elders Project (working title) has completed a year-long production across Canada and the United States and is now in post-production. Produced by GAY AGENDA and led by TVO as the first window broadcaster, with Knowledge Network taking a second window, the film is directed by Maya Bastian (Tigress) and produced by Hannah Donegan (The Loneliest Race), with Michelle Mama (Summer Qamp) serving as executive producer.
Filmed over four seasons in Charlottesville, VA, Fargo, ND, and Toronto and Thunder Bay, ON., the documentary will premiere on TVO in spring 2027 following a 2026 festival run.
Production still from Queer Elders Project (Image credit: Monica Guddat)
“Our queer elders have lived through generations of change, from societal rejection to hard-won rights, yet their stories remain underrepresented” said executive producer Michelle Mama. “Queer people age with different challenges. In creating this documentary, we are honouring their experiences, struggles, and joys while amplifying their voices for future generations.”
Spanning the course of a year, the documentary will intimately follow four remarkable working-class queer and trans seniors from diverse backgrounds across North America. Navigating the challenges of health, personal expression, and affordability, they find balance in the joy of community, resilient spirits, and the hope that even in life's final act, there's always something to look forward to.
“At its core, Queer Elders Project is about the importance of connection – across generations, geographies, and personal histories,” said producer Hannah Donegan. “Despite the adversity they’ve faced, our subjects remind us that life doesn’t stop surprising you, and that new experiences, relationships, and moments of joy can emerge at any stage of life.”
Director Maya Bastian added, “This film is an opportunity to challenge stereotypes about aging, particularly within the 2SLGBTQ+ community. These are powerful, beautiful stories of survival and joy that deserve to be told.”
Queer Elders Project is directed by Maya Bastian, with Hannah Donegan serving as producer and Michelle Mama as executive producer for GAY AGENDA. Donegan joined the project in early production, bringing a new creative perspective to GAY AGENDA’s slate. The film was produced with the support of TVO, Knowledge Network, and the Canada Media Fund.
About GAY AGENDA
GAY AGENDA is a queer-owned production company dedicated to amplifying authentic 2SLGBTQ+ voices. Founded by Michelle Mama, the company was created to provide a home for artists and creators to tell their stories with honesty and integrity. Understanding the critical importance of lived experience, GAY AGENDA ensures that queer and intersectional narratives are told by those who understand them best. The company is committed to mentorship, fostering emerging talent, and ensuring that 2SLGBTQ+ stories are presented with depth, authenticity, and respect. The company’s upcoming feature documentary AntiDiva: The Carole Pope Confessions, directed by Michelle Mama, is set to debut in 2026 following anticipated festival premieres. By collaborating with creative and industry partners who share its values, GAY AGENDA continues to break barriers in the film and television industry, producing content that challenges stereotypes and celebrates queer joy. GAY-AGENDA.CA
About Maya Bastian
Maya Bastian is an award-winning filmmaker with roots in conflict journalism. Her work has been supported by HBO, Netflix, UN IOM, CBC and the Canadian Film Centre. Her short drama AIR SHOW received national press for its look at refugee reactions to militarized air shows. Her film TIGRESS was produced by India’s JAR PICTURES and participated at CANNES COURT METRAGE 2021. She has created short documentaries for the Mosaic Institute, Parkdale Land Trust, Interval House, the Law Society of Ontario, Caritas Cambodia, CORD Sri Lanka and Survivors Associated. She is an alumni of TIFF SERIES ACCELERATOR, the 1497 Features Lab, FNC New Market Pitch, Breaking Through the Lens cohort at Cannes, RIFF Talent Lab, JETS Initiative Berlinale and many more. Her work frequently explores the trauma related to displacement and migration. Previously, she was the Interim Executive Director of DOC Canada, the country's largest documentary organization.
About TVO Media Education Group
TVO Media Education Group inspires learning that changes lives and enriches communities. Founded in 1970, we are a globally recognized digital learning organization that engages Ontarians of all ages with inclusive experiences and diverse perspectives. Through our brands TVO Today, TVO Learn, TVO ILC and TVOkids, we’re investing in the transformative potential of education for everyone. TVO is a registered charity funded in part by the Province of Ontario and supported by thousands of sponsors and donors. Visit TVO.me for more information.
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