Real Boy

The tricky passage from teenager to adulthood is difficult enough to navigate without the additional challenges facing Bennett Wallace, a trans teen who urgently wants to make the leap in all aspects of his life. In Shaleece Haas's intimate and deeply moving debut documentary, Bennett, a gifted songwriter and musician, invites viewers to join him on his journey as he strives to become the man and the artist that he has dreamed of. As Bennett begins college and saves up for his impending surgery, he makes an important friend in Joe, a fellow trans musician. After years of heartache, Bennett's dreams are just within reach but he still must work to gain the support of his mother, who has deep misgivings about her child's transition. Featuring a number of Bennett's original songs, REAL BOY is a vibrant and joyful film that won the Audience Award at Frameline and will inspire viewers to listen to songs of their own inner voices. (Chicago Reeling Film Fest)