Cheryl Dunye Is Taking Her “Sci-Fi Trans Erotic Thriller,” ‘Black Is Blue,’ to Europe to Escape U.S. Gatekeepers
Thirteen years after Mummy Is Coming, filmmaker Cheryl Dunye is moving forward with a new feature film, Black Is Blue. Based on her 2014 short film of the same name, the project is being developed under her production company, Jingletown Films. It has been selected for CineMart at the International Film Festival Rotterdam, where Dunye is looking for international co-producers.
She came up with the idea for this ‘sci-fi trans erotic thriller‘ during the pandemic while rewatching classic films. Her love for noir, especially Billy Wilder’s ‘Sunset Boulevard,’ played a big role in shaping the story. The film follows a Black trans couple brought together by AI: Blue, a former tech executive in her 40s, and Black, a struggling AI programmer in his 30s.
Dunye first explored these themes when she moved from L.A. to the Bay Area. She saw how many people, especially those from marginalized communities, were left out of the tech industry.
When she released the short film, many asked if a full-length version was coming. The idea sat for a while, but the rise of AI and ongoing discussions about diversity made it feel more relevant than ever.
She initially tried pitching Black Is Blue to U.S. indie studios, including A24, but got no traction. Many dismissed the idea of ‘trans tech‘ outright. Since then, she has focused on directing episodic work like Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy and ‘Bridgerton.
Frustrated by the lack of support in Hollywood, she turned to Europe, where she believes there is a better chance to get this film made. At CineMart, she hopes to find partners in France and Greece, particularly for post-production and visual effects.
She also has long-standing connections in Berlin and the Netherlands, where she won the Teddy Award 30 years ago. One key ally is Marten Rabarts, now head of IFFR Pro, whom she worked with at Amsterdam’s Binger Filmlab.
Black Is Blue is expected to enter pre-production in early 2026. Meanwhile, Dunye is also working on a new project with Christine Vachon of Killer Films, something she has dreamed about since before making The Watermelon Woman. She is keeping details under wraps for now.
‘Black Is Blue’ is a co-production with Jürgen Brüning Filmproduktion, Sima Films, Pinch Me Films, and Chrysalis Productions.
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