A few reasons why She's a Boy I Knew is unique.

1) Self-representation = self-empowerment. She's a Boy I Knew is currently one of the only feature films about transsexuality in which the filmmaker herself is transsexual.

2) Far more than a gender transition story, the film is a proactive and uplifting look at a family overcoming preconceptions of gender and sexuality.

3) She's a Boy I Knew does not dwell on discrimination and victimization, but looks towards self-advocacy and empowerment. Equating the ability to convey vulnerability with strength, the film promotes actions motivated by love rather than by fear, and breaks free of the damaging representations that show marginalized communities as little more than disempowered victims of society.

4) She's a Boy I Knew is made specifically for family and friends of the LGBT community.

5) As a self-funded D.I.Y. grassroots film in which the filmmaker has incurred $90,000 in debt, this film is not just a labour of love, but a passionate plea for mutual compassion and empathy for one another, made at great personal expense.

6) As an autobiography, the filmmaker has unique access to the thoughts and feelings of her parents, sisters, wife, and best friend. Told primarily through their voices, the film provides an unparalleled intimate look at a family's journey through this process.

7) Breaking the mold of transsexual representations in the media, She's a Boy I Knew shows a real life depiction of a transsexual woman who is self-empowered, out and proud, romantically involved, community involved, employed, a humanitarian and activist, in touch with both her femininity & masculinity, and a queer woman who continues to challenge the presumption of hetero-normativity after transitioning.

8) She's a Boy I Knew is about creative activism and self-advocacy. Intentionally made with consumer grade equipment and no external funding, the film is a call to other creative folk from marginalized communities to pick up accessible video cameras and begin documenting their own stories. Although diversity is growing in front of the camera, women and under-privilged folk are still significantly under-represented in the director's chair. It's time we began hearing these exceptional stories as told by the beautiful people who live them!

Director and her mom.