After 3 ½ years of planning, filming, and editing, the documentary REAL BOY is almost complete. The coming-of-age story follows Bennett Wallace, a transgender teenager on his journey to finding his voice as a musician, a friend, a son, and a man. The film follows Bennett over his first years of transition, and highlights the connections he encounters along the way. This includes a powerful friendship with Joe Stevens, a musician and a transgender man who transitoned many years ago. The film also focuses on Bennett's continuing sobriety, and his relationship with mother, who struggles to accept and understand his transition.

At its heart, REAL BOY is a story about growing up. It's a story about given and chosen family, and how our own search for identity involves those closest to us. REAL BOY is also unique in that it is about the friendship between Bennett and Joe. For many transgender people, the support of friends and mentors who transitioned before us are an important part our lives, but something rarely portrayed in the media. The film also included queer and trans people throughout the filmmaking process.

Although the film is almost complete, the filmmakers are now reaching out for help in seeing the project through to completion. The film needs a minimum of $50,000 to finish post-production, distribution, community screenings, and prepare for its public television premiere.

To learn more about the documentary, watch the trailer and consider donating here.