Award-Winning Short Film Spotlights Transgender Narrative

AUSTIN, TX— The Dougherty Arts Center invites Austin audiences to a virtual screening and discussion in celebration of diversity and social progress. Femenina: A Virtual Screening & Discussion with Director Ilana Garcia-Mittleman and aGLIFF Artistic Director Bears Rebecca Fonte will offer insight about the award-winning short film that follows follows Nick, a boxer who lives his life in the ring, and Nina, the newest member to join the boxing gym. As they forge a relationship, Nick's perception of his own sexuality is called into question when he realizes that Nina is transgender.

“Femenina is the love story I hope to have for myself,” Garcia-Mittleman writes. “It is the the film that embodies the future I see for transgender women. One where we are loved and valued for who we are and not what we are. This film is the love story I have never had or seen, but always needed.”

Garcia-Mittleman is a transgender writer an director, and graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, where she received a bachelors degree in Radio, Television, and Film. While at UT, she wrote and directed four short film focusing on the transgender narratives. Fonté is a transgender filmmaker, festival programmer and journalist. She received her BA from Carleton College in British Studies and Theatre Studies, and a MFA in Directing from Indiana University, and has directed over forty plays during her illustrious career.

The virtual screening and discussion takes place Thursday, March 18 at 7 p.m., and audiences may register via Eventbrite to receive the unique web page and Zoom link. For more information, click HERE.