10 important trans movies that have played at the Sundance Film Festival

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10 important trans movies that have played at the Sundance Film Festival

10 important trans movies that have played at the Sundance Film FestivalPrime Video; Magnolia Pictures; Strand Releasing

The history of trans stories on screen has been a fraught one, but thanks to festivals like Sundance, there’s been a home for movies centering trans stories for decades.

As the 2024 Sundance Film Festival begins, here’s a look at just ten of the many trans films that have played at the festival.

Boys Don't Cry - 1999

Hilary Swank won an Oscar for playing real-life trans man Brandon Teena, who was murdered in a brutal hate crime, in this 1999 drama.

Soldier's Girl - 2003

Based on the relationship between trans woman Calpernia Addams and soldier Barry Winchell, this biographical drama is about a soldier who falls in love with a trans woman (Lee Pace), and is ultimately murdered for it.

Gun Hill Road - 2011

Harmony Santana shines in this coming-of-age drama about a trans girl and her father trying to build a relationship after her father gets out of prison.

Drunktown's Finest - 2014

This underseen gem comes from director Sydney Freeland (Reservation Dogs, Echo)and follows three young Navajo people, including a trans woman named Felixia (Carmen Moore), who tries out for a spot in the Women of the Tribe calendar.

Tangerine - 2015

Sean Baker’s breakthrough film was shot on an iPhone 5S and starred Kitana Kiki Rodriguez and Mya Taylor as two trans sex workers and best friends living in Los Angeles.

Assassination Nation - 2018

From Euphoria’s Sam Levinson comes this 2018 black comedy starring Hari Nef along with other young actors like Odessa Young and Suki Waterhouse. It takes place in the fictional town of Salem, where rumors and exposed secrets make the people erupt into violent chaos.

A Kid Like Jake - 2018

Trans director Silas Howard directed this film starring Claire Danes and Jim Parsons as the parents of a four-year-old who is questioning their gender.

Adam - 2019

Trans director Rhys Ernst directed this underrated coming-of-age film about a cis boy who pretends to be a trans man in order to date a queer girl that he has a connection with.

Framing Agnes - 2022

This unconventional documentary includes Angelica Ross, Jen Richards, Zackary Drucker, Max Wolf Valerio, and other trans actors doing recreations of clips from archival interviews with real trans people.