We’re so excited to see a new category of Shorts at the New York International Children’s Film Festival this year: Becoming Ourselves: Breaking the Binary.
Becoming Ourselves: Breaking the Binary
The Short “Self Story,” included in this 60-minute set of films, is the inspiration for Becoming Ourselves: Breaking the Binary. It was screened at NYICFF 2020, Lou is back navigating the-ever challenging terrain of gender.
These films explore identity beyond gender binaries, as queer kids shape their own ideas of who they are, finding possibilities of joy and community along the way. Discover powerful connections to the past when long-hidden histories are revealed in the Oscar-shortlisted Kapaemahu. Or breakthrough distance and discomfort in The Name of the Son to find unexpected closeness to family. Create new relationships with yourself, your body, and others through sports in the short doc Joy Run. The films highlight the joy and challenges of youth who are acknowledging their gender identity.
The addition of the Becoming Ourselves: Breaking the Binary to NYICFF supports their mission of the creation and dissemination of thoughtful, provocative, and intelligent film for children and teens ages 3–18.
The Festival experience cultivates an appreciation for the arts, encourages active, discerning viewing, and stimulates lively discussion among peers, families, and the film community.
“We’re taught that there’s only one way, and that’s where the hate starts,” said In the Name of the Son director Martina Matzkin.
Shorts: Becoming Ourselves: Breaking the Binary – Review
Becoming Ourselves: Breaking the Binary allows the audience to explore LGBTQ+ themes through the powerful medium of film and share diverse stories, in a range of styles and genres, that spark shared dialogue and mutual understanding.
These shorts center around the experiences of transgender and non-binary youth. We’re overjoyed at this inclusion and representation value put forth in creating and submitting these films.
The Name of the Son – Review
The standout of the Becoming Ourselves: Breaking the Binary shorts section is In the Name of the Son, directed by Argentinian Martina Matzkin. This award-winning live-action short about a transgender boy’s relationship with his father and his younger sister is well written, excellently acted, and deeply emotional.
About The Name of the Son
Argentina | New York Premiere
Live Action, Martina Matzkin, 2020, 13 min.
In Spanish, with English subtitles
Like many teens, 13-year-old Lucho is uncomfortable with himself and distanced from those around him. Yet when he vacations with his father and sister, he discovers a new understanding.
Kapaemahu – Review
Kapaemahu is an Oscar-shortlisted animated short about the beauty of the transgender community. In this Hawaiian breakthrough short film, the four Mahu heroes of the monument signifying that the transgender community should not only be respected and accepted but they have always been there and will remain here for a long time.
About Kapaemahu
United States
Animation, Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Dean Hamer, and Joe Wilson, 2020, 9 min.
In Hawaiian, with English subtitles
This Oscar-shortlisted film uncovers the healing power of the past when the long-hidden histories of four stones and the legendary spirits in them are revealed.
If you missed Kapaemahu at NYICFF, you can watch it on Vimeo.
Self Story – Review
About Self Story
Belgium
Animation, Documentary, Géraldine Charpentier, 2018, 5 min.
In French, with English subtitles
The inspiration for Becoming Ourselves: Breaking the Binary and screened at NYICFF 2020, Lou is back navigating the ever-challenging terrain of gender. But with inspiration from acclaimed filmmaker Céline Sciamma, they come into their own.
Joy Run
This documentary explores the transgender and non-binary community in sports. Learn about their love of sports, connections, and need for solidarity in this vibrant film.
About Joy Run
United States
Documentary, Tourmaline, 2020, 4 min.
In English
Reimagining athletics as an inclusive space for all, this colorful and lively short doc revels in the joyful connections we make to ourselves and others every day.
About Devenir
Belgium
Animation, Géraldine Charpentier, 2017, 2 min.
In French, with English subtitles
What if becoming doesn’t lead to an end, but instead is a process of being?
About Joychild
United States | New York Premiere
Documentary, Live Action, Aurora Brachman, 2020, 6 min.
In English
Soft-spoken yet resolute, a young child remembers the joys and fears that go hand-in-hand with coming out, shot in beautifully evocative black and white 16mm film.
About Purpleboy
Belgium, France, Portugal | New York Premiere
Animation, Alexandre Siqueira, 2019, 14 min.
In English
When Oscar pops up out of the ground in a strange yet parallel world, he must remain steadfast to his budding identity as others try to tear him down.
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