henry hanson
CURATOR & PROGRAMS MANAGER
Henry Hanson is a Chicago-based filmmaker and programmer working in the tradition of the queer underground. His self-produced, self-distributed debut short “Bros Before” (2022) screened at dozens of venues internationally while gaining notoriety as an online cult hit. His first feature “Dog Movie” (2024) premiered to a sold-out crowd at the Gene Siskel Film Center and went on to take home the Best Achievement in Filmmaking award from Kansas City Underground Film Festival and the Audience Choice Award from the Trans Image/Trans Experience Film Festival in Dublin. “Dog Movie” is currently being distributed by NYC-based label Muscle Distribution, who have also picked up the rights to Henry’s upcoming feature film “Puppygirl.”
Henry also programs shorts, features, and expanded cinema in collaboration with a wide variety of venues and community partners. He loves arthouse theaters, microcinemas, and DIY venues equally and is always looking for ways to bring film events into conversation with politics, subculture, and other artforms. He is an active community member in the global network of trans filmmakers and film exhibitors.
As the Curator & Exhibitions Manager for Full Spectrum Features, his goals are to legitimize short films as a serious art form with viable commercial potential, make media accessible for diverse audiences, and re-imagine equitable compensation structures for filmmakers.