Light Up, the award-winning documentary from director Ryan Ashley Lowery, is now streaming on Apple TV, Prime Video, and Tubi, bringing its powerful message of identity, courage, and self-acceptance to a global audience.
The film, which centers on the stories of same-gender-loving Black men and a transgender woman, arrives after an acclaimed festival circuit run where it earned multiple honors.
Light Up explores what it means to step fully into one’s truth and to “live in the light,” even when doing so comes at a personal cost. Through intimate interviews and cinematography, the film follows its subjects as they confront shame, find freedom, and claim their power.
Director Lowery brings a deeply personal drive to the project. Once a Florida State basketball player and later a Wall Street investment banker, Lowery now leads Ryan Ashley Productions and is committed to uplifting marginalized stories.
“Light Up is more than a film. It’s a movement to encourage people everywhere to embrace their truth and live fully in their light,” Lowery says.
The film features a cast of cultural contributors across television, ballroom, activism, faith spaces, and fashion, including Derek Jae, Simone Tisci, Obio O. Jones, Octavius Terry, and Benjamin Carlton.
Light Up premiered at the BronzeLens Film Festival in August 2024 and has since earned awards, including Festival Favorite and Director’s Choice at the Cinema Diverse Palm Springs LGBTQ+ Film Festival, along with Audience Award Runner-Up at Out on Film.
Check out the trailer.
