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“Coming Home" is a short film that centers on Alex Showerman, a lifelong Vermonter and professional mountain biker who came out as a queer trans woman in 2020.

After a brilliant debut in which it won the award for “Most Inspiring” at No Man’s Land Film Festival in Denver, and became an Official Selection for Mountain Film in Telluride, the teaser trailer is now live to the public online.

The film explores Alex’s journey to find a sense of belonging in the unexpected world of women’s freeride, and her complex relationship with the sport of mountain biking, viewed through the lens of current events surrounding the LGBTQ+ community and the fight for equality in women’s sports.

The project also celebrates those who have supported Alex, including professional athletes Brooklyn Bell and Hannah Bergemann. The film culminates in showcasing what a community looks like when people set aside their differences and uplift each other, broadening the definition of who can call themselves a mountain biker.

Alex Showerman, Brooklyn Bell and Hannah Bergemann know there's only one thing better than mountain biking: eating a Vermont creemee after mountain biking.

Alex Showerman, Brooklyn Bell and Hannah Bergemann know there's only one thing better than mountain biking: eating a Vermont creemee after mountain biking.

“Growing up, I was obsessed with action sports, but for so many reasons I never fully felt connected with it,” Alex tells Bike Magazine. “I never saw women featured in action sports and, as an east coast kid, it always felt like action sports happened out west. With ‘Coming Home’, I wanted to share the incredible community I found in women’s freeride out west and bring it home to Vermont.”

“It was so cool to have so many other women comment while making the film that they, too, had been looking for a space like this. I’m so grateful to Hannah and Brooklyn for joining me on this journey home, and I can’t wait to share this film with the world throughout the summer!”

Alex Showerman hosts one heck of a party train at Killington bike park.

Alex Showerman hosts one heck of a party train at Killington bike park.

Award-winning filmmaker and photographer Katie Lozancich co-directed the film with Alex. “Given the extremely polarizing and divisive world we live in, we wanted to show the good that can happen when we understand each other’s stories and lift each other up,” Katie shares with Bike Magazine. “Ultimately, we hope this film resonates as a human story, as we all know what’s it’s like searching for belonging and community to accept us as who we are”

“We were excited to film in Alex’s home state of Vermont. New England isn’t the first place most people think of when they think of adventure films, but as an adopted New Englander, I’ve been blown away by the passionate cycling and outdoor culture here in the northeast! The mountain biking is incredible, and it doesn’t quite get the credit it deserves. I think it’s important for the outdoor community to recognize communities like this, and to know that you don't have to live in a stereotypical mountain town to find adventure and action sports. The more we highlight unique and different spots across the country, the more we’ll open the door for people to get involved with sports like mountain biking.”

“The community behind mountain biking has made a significant impact in my life, and that’s something we wanted to highlight within this project: the power of two wheels is something to behold. It brings people together, breaks down barriers, and fosters the most amazing relationships. I think that’s evident through the course of Alex’s journey in the film.”

Alex and Katie worked with production powerhouses Charlotte Percle and Austin Hopkins to bring the film to life, which was sponsored by the Vermont Mountain Bike Association (VMBA), Vermont Tourism, Lawson's Finest, Smartwool, Skida and Pivot Cycles.

To find or host a screening of “Coming Home,” head to the film’s website.