ABOUT THE PROJECT

LOGLINE
Three decorated transgender service members exemplify the true meaning of honor as they battle a politicized military ban, exposing what’s at stake for our democracy and national security.

SYNOPSIS
Commander Emily "Hawking" Shilling embodies courage and commitment. With over 60 combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan and a top-ranking graduation from Test Pilot School, her work inspired TOP GUN: MAVERICK. As the highest-ranking openly transgender line officer in the U.S. Navy, she now leads SPARTA—a key nonprofit for trans military members—fighting for the right to serve openly. A Trump supporter in 2016, Emily now opposes the very administration she once believed in, after it enacted a ban on trans military service.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Paulo Batista represents resilience and hope. After transitioning, he joined the Navy, fulfilling a lifelong dream and his father’s dying wish. He now supports global intelligence operations, earns commendations, powerlifts competitively, and leads the San Diego Padres’ Color Guard. His story highlights the talent often sidelined due to discriminatory policies.

Chief Warrant Officer Jo Ellis is a Black Hawk pilot in the Virginia Army National Guard. Deployed in Iraq and Kuwait, she grew up in a conservative household on the set of Pat Robertson’s 700 Club. A gun owner who races cars and skateboards, Jo was falsely accused of causing a helicopter crash in 2025, following Trump’s baseless claims linking the accident to “diversity hires.” After facing death threats, she now uses stand-up comedy to bridge political divides.

In the first days of his presidency, Donald Trump signed an executive order barring transgender people—people like Emily, Paulo, and Jo—from enlisting and serving openly in the military, stating that being trans “conflicts with a soldier’s commitment to an honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle” and “is not consistent with the humility and selflessness required of a service member.”

FIGHTING FORWARD plunges into the lives of Emily, Paulo, and Jo as they navigate career jeopardy, legal battles, and the rising emotional toll on themselves and their families. We’re filming at the front lines of history: inside courtrooms, with senior military leadership, and alongside national legal teams as lawsuits climb toward the Supreme Court.

PROJECT TYPE Documentary Feature

DIRECTOR Jen Rainin & Rivkah Beth Medow
PRODUCER Rivkah Beth Medow & Jen Rainin
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Zackary Drucker