17 Incredibly Short Transgender Short Films
Is that ****ing Batwoman?!
Hi, I’m Stephenie Magister ✨, and below I’ll take you through 17 incredibly short trans and genderfluid short films from around the world.
Note: this article has been expanded into a free video
海上良宵/Blooming Night (Independent Production) — 9 minutes
Mesmerized by a pair of red heels, a lonely street guy in Shanghai follows its owner into a forbidden club. There, he discovers something that challenges, yet awakens his mind. This short is inspired by the real underground elder LGBTQ community in Shanghai.
Official Selection:
- 2017 Outfest Los Angeles LGBT Film Festival
- 2017 Shanghai International Film Festival
- 2017 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival
- 2017 Sao Paulo International Short Film Festival
- 2017 NewFest New York’s LGBT Film Festival
- 2017 Shanghai Queer Film Festival — Winner: Special Award
- 2017 Cinema Queer International Film Festival
- 2017 Sehsüchte International Student Film Festival
Stream here (Vimeo)
For Nonna Anna (Hands Up Films) — 13 minutes
Directed by first-time writer/director Luis De Filippis and co-produced by Rosenberg-Lee, the film follows Chris (Maya Henry), a young trans woman who is left home alone to care for her ailing Italian grandmother (Jacqueline Tarne).
Though not about transitioning from one gender identity to another, the film still has transition in a broader sense at its heart. Chris is still in the coming-of-age demographic, not entirely confident yet as a woman, while her grandmother’s body is failing her. A move to elder care seems inevitable.
De Filippis and cinematographer Kelly Jeffrey tell the story through intimate details, relying on glances, cutaways to religious objects and other decor, and tight framing of the cramped home to capture the empathy and awkwardness between two relatives in different life stages.
Sundance-Bound Short For Nonna Anna Deepens The Trans Narrative (Now Toronto)
Stream here (Vimeo)
Break Free (Rubix Cube Productions) — 5 minutes
In Break Free, Ruby Rose explores the fluidity of gender, and how the only person who can define your identity is you.
Ruby Rose (she/they), a genderfluid lesbian, has on occasion stated that if given a choice, they would have chosen to be born a male. They are grateful, however, that they were born with the reproductive parts that will allow them to perhaps one day give birth.
Ruby Rose on gender, bullying and breaking free: ‘I had a problem with authority’ (The Guardian)
Stream here (YouTube)
Dusk (Up+Up Productions) — 15 minutes
Starring trans actors in both cis and trans roles, Dusk is the award winning trans short that stormed the festival circuit in 2017 and 2018, screening at 87 festivals internationally.
Dusk is about the life of a trans man from age two to 70, starting in 1950s England. Unable to transition due to lack of medical help and information, “Chris” lives his life as a lesbian, in what most perceive to be a same-sex relationship, and the film examines how his choices affect the outcome of his life.
Speaking to Curve Mag, the director said, “The inspiration for the film came last year when I received an email from a festival programmer in Canada… Now aged 70, they told me that they were basically happy, but had simply needed someone to know who they really were. The email stayed with me, and made me start to think of all the thousands, if not millions of trans folk who had never had the chance to live as themselves, and how devastating that must have been.”
Awards and selections include:
- Premiered at Outshine Miami, winner Best Short Film
- Winner of 30 awards including Best Short film at SOMA Film Festival (New York), Best Screenwriter at CFIFF, Best Short Film at GayWise Festival (London), Best LGBT film at MACON Film Festival (Georgia), Best Short Film at SENE Film Festival (New England)
- Selected for Tribeca’s United Airlines online film package
Stream here (YouTube)
De La Terreur, Mes Sœurs!/Terror, Sisters! (Les Films du Bélier, Altered Innocence) — 25 minutes
Aujourd’hui, c’est une journée comme les autres pour Kalthoum et ses copines. Elles sirotent des cocktails, cherchent l’amour sur internet et essuient, une fois de plus, les insultes transphobes d’inconnus. Oui mais voilà, aujourd’hui ça ne va pas se passer comme ça. Entre un cosmo et un chardo, les quatre amies transgenres vont imaginer leur vengeance…
English translation: Today is a day like any other for Kalthoum and her girlfriends. They sip cocktails, look for sex on the Internet, impatiently wait for love and once again, endure the transphobic insults of strangers. But today it’s not going to be like that: the four transgender friends will imagine their revenge.
“Yes, Terror, Sisters! is silly and dumb and occasionally cringe, but isn’t that what being queer and extremely online is all about? Langlois’ short is such a delightful time because of how deftly it navigates the humor and flat-out anger of being trans in a cis world. Though grounded in a cafe where four trans women voice their frustrations with the world, the short leaves reality to dive into each woman’s fantasy about how she would deal with cisnormative society. Terror, Sisters! rages against everything from expectations of passability to being forced to sit through “trans films” created by and starring cis people who perform vague approximations of us. Reclamation is hard and messy, but at least it can also be a great time.” — them review
Stream here (Mubi)
Dawn (Up+Up Productions) — 13 minutes
As dawn creeps across London, two lost outcasts meet in the darkness, more afraid of themselves than each other. As the sun begins to rise, and the veil of night is lifted, the pair are forced to look at themselves and face the harsh reality that life is sometimes what you make it, and that in the cold light of day, it takes more than the eyes to see inside a soul.
The award winning short film premiered at BFI Flare in London, and was nominated at the Iris Prize Film Festival in both Best British and Best International categories.
Winner of 19 awards including:
- Best Director at Toronto Queer West Festival (Toronto)
- Best Short at SENE Film festival (New England) Grand Prix du Jury at Image+ Nation (Montreal)
- Best Composer at Underwire Film Festival Best Cinematography at FM Festival (Minnesota)
“When he said “You’re the first girl I’ve touched in ages”, and she burst into tears, I felt that. No words or exposition were necessary to convey what she felt.” — YouTube Review
Stream here (YouTube)
Masked (Momentum Studios) — 15 minutes
Masked follows the story of Zoe, a high schooler struggling to come out as a trans man. After knowing who they truly are for a while, Zoe finds themselves fatigued by their fear of whether others will accept them or not.
Masked was created in conjunction with the 15–18 year old’s from the Knox ‘Free To Be Me’ LGBTQIA Youth group. The project is proudly supported & funded by Knox City Council, YAC Vic & the Victorian State Government.
Stream here (YouTube)
Masked 2: Still Me (Momentum Studios) — 13 minutes
From the filmmakers of Masked, Still Me follows the story of a non-binary teenager (Bailey). After coming to terms with their identity it’s time for them to come out at school and navigate what this means for their social life. However, this proves harder than they anticipate and Bailey is faced with a choice between social ridicule or the closet. Luckily, Bailey makes a new friend named Zach.
Still Me was created in conjunction with the Knox Rainbow Youth Action Group. The project is proudly supported & funded by Knox City Council, YACVic & the Victorian State Government.
Stream here (YouTube)
Get Off My Turf! (My Genderation) — 9 minutes
Get Off My Turf! is a short film about a transgender woman who finds out that her neighbour is transphobic. The film delves into some of the modern depictions of transphobia and explores friendship, solidarity and conflict between two very different women.
Created by an entirely trans cast and crew!! My Genderation is an ongoing film project focusing on trans lives and trans experiences. All our content is created by trans people, about trans people, for a much wider audience. Currently run by Fox Fisher and Owl Fisher.
Stream here (YouTube)
The Change Up (Silent Coyote Productions) — 15 minutes
Tatum and Harley go out for drinks, and Tatum becomes distracted by his past.
“Really beautiful narrative. It hit some of the core pains in many FTMs lives. The film also highlighted the beauty that some FTMs may experience with CisWomen who can see the beauty we hold and the Men we are. Thanks for sharing your art with us!” — YouTube review
“My names Jordan Robinson i loved this film because it showed so much of what i had to go through just to hide it away for my parents and so i dont get bullied. When i got older i figured out i dont wanna live in misery. I’m trangender Ftm and it’s hard to grow up when everyone expects you to be normal and i loved every min of this film. Thank you so much.” — YouTube Review
“I seen a trailer for this on tiktok. I thought it was going to be a full length movie so I was surprised when I seen it was a short film. It was amazing! I would love to see a full length film with your story. My partner recently told me he was trans. I’ll admit it was hard at first but I couldn’t imagine my life with any other person. This did truly hit home for me. Thank you for sharing your story. Much love!” — YouTube Review
Stream here (YouTube)
Like You (Lucky Tooth Films) — 7 minutes
Like You is a trans themed short film, created by an all trans cast production team.
On remote northern Iceland two strangers connect and realise they have a lot more in common than previously assumed.
Filmed in Iceland in 2016, made in under 48 hours. Language: Icelandic (subtitles in English) and English.
Stream here (YouTube)
A Trans With a Movie Camera (Frances Damian Arpaia) — 13 minutes
A non-narrative cine-essay that collaboratively explores the potentials for trans-feminine representation in film.
“There shouldn’t be something revolutionary about seeing trans people existing on screen, whether it’s watching them kiss or shave or hang out at the beach. And, yet, a film like A Trans With a Movie Camera feels radical simply because of how scant such cinematic offerings are. Billed as “a cine-essay” and explicitly citing and playing off of Dziga Vertov’s silent classic Man with a Movie Camera, Arpaia offers an experimental and poetic glimpse into the beauty and rage of being trans.” — them review
Stream here (Vimeo)
Slingshot Prince (Dandelion Lin Pictures) — 20 minutes
It’s 1995 in a small town in the south of China. A 12-year-old trans girl is bullied and tortured, but with her slingshot close by, revenge may be at hand.
Stream here (YouTube)
假若我有靈魂/Kaspar X: If I Had A Soul (Kaspar X Film) — 24 minutes
This intimate Cantonese-language documentary is set in Hong Kong and follows a transgender boy, Kasper, “as he struggles to realign his body with his soul.”
Awards and selections include:
- Austin Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival 2015
- Best Documentary Feature and Jury Award, ShanghaiPRIDE Film Festival 2016
- Audience Choice, Hong Kong Lesbian and Gay Film Festival 2015
Stream here (GagaOOLala)
Frankie (Reed Seed Films) — 10 minutes
Frankie is a LGBTQ, live-action short film about a nonbinary, transgender person who crashes their ex-partner’s men-only 12 step meeting, determined to be heard… no matter the cost.
Speaking to Film Shortage, the director said, “A few years ago, I entered into a men’s codependency group. It was honestly the first time in my life I’d ever been in a space where cisgender men were so openly vulnerable. A common theme amongst all of us in the room was this idea that we’d denied our true selves in an effort to ‘stay safe’ in the face of someone else’s addictions and fears. My spouse Morgan, who is a Producer on Frankie and plays Frankie, was coming out as trans, non-binary at the time, and they were having so many similar revelations about their own experience. The commonality of that human need: to be seen and recognized despite someone else’s fear — that was the seed of Frankie.”
“This short, but vital film is nothing short of a masterpiece. The complexities of this un-story are captured so eloquently, bring to life a narrative we never get to see in our media. There are so many conversations to have after watching Frankie. Although the story specifically explores the intersections of gender, masculinity and recovery there is a universal impact here as we watch Frankie stand up for their truth and demand to be heard. We can all learn a lot from Frankie. As a transgender person myself watching Frankie brought up a lot of my own complex emotions about my own need to be heard, respected, understood, affirmed, appreciated and loved. Morgan O’Sullivan (Frankie) is a tour de force in this short film. They bring an urgency and immense strength to the role that brings you to the edge of your seat. Their performance is a triumph for transgender and non-binary representation. I’ll be keeping a close eye on Red Seed Films, James Kautz, Morgan and the entire team that made this film. THIS is storytelling at its finest. THIS is why I watch films.” — YouTube Review
Filmmakers on LGBTQ Short Film ‘Frankie’ (Out Front Magazine)
Stream here (YouTube)
Pronouns in Bio (Frankie Films) — 1 hour 10 minutes
Through a collection of video diary entries shot over two years, Frankie, a recently “out” transgender, autistic person reflects on her past mental health struggles as a teenager with gender dysphoria.
Frankie utilizes direct-to-camera monologues, mixed with an original soundtrack written and performed by herself to create an intimate portrait of what it is like to discover your authentic identity and fight for the right for legal recognition.Frankie discusses a range of topics, from the gatekeeping and seemingly endless waiting lists for Trans Healthcare in Britain, to the joy and happiness of living as a proud, autistic woman and ally to the LGBTQIA+ community.
“This was so heartfelt and poignant. I’m so proud of you for putting yourself out there so much and offering a window into countless of other people in the UK and around the world into your life and offering them solace in that no matter where they’ve been it’ll be ok in the end. I hope like you they’ll find peace in who they are soon. Just incredible work Frankie. Worth the wait in every sense and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed seeing you become yourself and get your story into the world.” — YouTube Review
Stream here (YouTube)
Boy (Station Next) — 16 minutes
Emilie has begun binding and wearing masculine clothes. Their mother is pressuring them to wear a dress at a holiday gathering. The arguments get uglier as the event draws nearer. Danish with English subtitles.
Awards and selections include:
- Winner of the Jury Prize at Seoul International Youth Film Festival
- Winner of the Audience Award and Jury Award at The Next Film Festival
- Winner of the Audience Choice Award at Melbourne Queer Film Festival for Best International Short
- Winner of Best International Short Film at Fresh Film Festival
- Winner of 3rd Prize for Best Film at Josiah Media Festival
- Official Selection: Inside Out LGBT Film Festival Toronto
- Official Selection: BFI Flare: London LGBT London Film Festival
- Official Selection: National Film Festival of Talented Youth
- Official Selection: Rio Festival Gay de Cinema
- Official Selection: Iris Prize Festival
Stream here (YouTube)
Former streaming suggestions
| 5 Free Trans Movies Better Than Anything On Netflix | Trans Men: 7 Documentaries, 2 Movies, 1 Comedy Special, All Free | 10 Extremely Trans Xmas Streaming Selections | Now THAT’S Trans Xmas Music! Volume 1 | 13 More Free Streaming Trans Movies | Two Cool Trans Mini-Series On YouTube Better Than Anything On Netflix | 8 Foreign Films About Trans Women |
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