Donna came out as transgender at the age of 60. Having left her Christian family behind in San Jose at the age of 19, Donna moved to San Francisco where she feels like she can do anything she wants.
Personna, who’s been a San Francisco fixture for decades, first hit the stage as a performer with the Cockettes. Her political activism includes serving on the boards of events that commemorate and raise awareness of trans lives and issues.
Now in her seventies, Donna wants to show her estranged siblings, who only know her as Gustavo, the person she has become later in life.
After winning Best British Short at the Irisis Prize in 2013 for his short film My Mother – which also focuses on Personna, Welsh filmmaker Jay Bedwani makes his debut feature length documentary with this character led piece that features his trademark style of quiet observation.
Donna follows Personna as she is invited to co-write a play based on the Compton’s Cafeteria Riot where transgender women stood up against police harrassment. After success from her writing, she embarks on a journey to reunite with her family, and proves to her audience that it’s never too late to be your true self.
Release date: 22nd July