State of Firsts Is in Theaters Now

By The Backlot

@backlotfriends

A scene from State of Firsts (2026), the documentary about Sarah McBride's first year in Congress directed by Chase Joynt

State of Firsts is in select theaters now and expanding. Chase Joynt follows Sarah McBride through her first year in Congress as the first openly transgender person elected to the United States legislature.

Republicans banned her from restrooms. They misgendered her at every opportunity. She kept working. That is the whole film.

For anyone who watched the 2024 Delaware congressional race and wondered what came next. Or anyone who wants to know what it actually looks like inside that building when history is being made under pressure.

Watch Framing Agnes first if you are new to Chase Joynt. Or go in knowing nothing. Either way this one lands.

The kind of political documentary where you leave knowing you watched something real.

Quick Facts

DirectorChase Joynt

CastSarah McBride, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

GenreDocumentary

Release2026-06-12

Runtime93 min

Rated7.0/10

Instagram caption

State of Firsts is in theaters now. Chase Joynt spent a year inside Congress with Sarah McBride. This is what he found. #StateOfFirsts #Backlot

X caption

State of Firsts is in select theaters now. Sarah McBride's first year in Congress, on film. Chase Joynt directed. Republicans tried to make her the story. She made them the story instead.

Republicans banned her from restrooms. They misgendered her at every opportunity. She kept working. That is the whole film.

Watch Framing Agnes first if you are new to Chase Joynt. Or go in knowing nothing. Either way this one lands.

The kind of political documentary where you leave knowing you watched something real.