It’s the human condition, and for trans folk, it’s a heroic act by definition. Here are 10 stories about us from the perspective of the quest for human happiness. Curated by Diane Griffin.

This event is proud to be co-presented by: Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC) , Queer Scouts Boston

Bros Before

Elijah and Billy are two trans bros who just happen to enjoy jerking off together — in a straight way! But when Billy starts dating a woman, Elijah must come to terms with his feelings for Billy and his own burgeoning homosexuality.
Directed by Harley Foos • 20 m • English • USA • Comedy

Sed Saepe Cadendo

Home alone on a sunny afternoon, a perfect time for frolics in the garden.
Directed by Gina Kamentsky 3 m Silent USA Comedy

Karina’s Suit

Muete, an armed group deserter, travels to the city to visit his cousin Karina, a transgender woman that does sex work. Muete tries to convince her to return to their town because her mother is very ill. The only condition: she has to go as Leonardo, her former identity.
Directed by Frank Benitez Peña • 20 m • Spanish • Colombia • Drama, Foreign

Birthday Boy

A transgender boy celebrates his birthday in online games, away from the bullying he faces at an all girls school. A film by an LGBTQ+ crew.
Directed by Leo Lebeau • 21 m • English • USA • Drama

Long After Us

LONG AFTER US is an attempt to shine light on the beauty and complexities of the human experience through motifs of memory, death and transgender identity. In post-apocalyptic earth, a small creature uses the previous belongings of humans to briefly peer into their life. This story follows the encounter of a long abandoned cellphone once owned by a human named Ash. Every life holds a rapid catalog of experiences, but what does the creature see in Ash’s?
Directed by Eden Potter • 5 m • English • Canada

My Own

My Own tells the story of Bianca, a nonbinary person, struggling to find the place for gender fluidity within the rigid world of ballet. Bianca finds their own voice, in this dance-filled rumination on coming out, not as one thing or another, but as something in between.
Directed by Courtney Hope Therond • 12 m • English • USA • Drama

River Fork

A trans man recuperating from top surgery spots a painting in his hotel bathroom which takes him back to a different time.
Directed by Vuk LK • 11 m • English • USA • Drama

Transformations

Transformations is an experimental short film that was shot on Super 8 film as well as an iPhone 12. These two mediums were used to capture the subject’s not only physical transformation, but emotional over the course of a year. The intention of the filmmaker in filming partially on color film and partially on an iPhone in black and white was to engage the audience in viewing the subject from different lenses.
Directed by Sophie Bennett • 3 m • Silent • USA

How Not To Date While Trans

“How Not To Date While Trans” is a break-the-fourth-wall, dark comedy that follows the dating life of a black trans woman and the problematic men she meets along the way. Andie searches for romance and self-love but ends with heartbreak.
Directed by Nyala Moon • 13 m • English • USA • Comedy