10 important trans movies that have played at the Sundance Film FestivalPrime Video; Magnolia Pictures; Strand ReleasingThe 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.
Mutt - 2023
Trans actor Lío Mehiel starred as a trans man named Feña who is rekindling his relationships with his father, straight ex-boyfriend, and half sister.
