Marja-Sisko

Director: Reetta Aalto
Release Year: 2010

In 2010, Finnish filmmaker Reetta Aalto released Marja-Sisko, a powerful and deeply personal documentary chronicling the extraordinary journey of Marja-Sisko Aalto, the first openly transgender Lutheran pastor in Finland. Through intimate storytelling, archival footage, and candid interviews, the documentary does more than tell the story of one individual’s transition; it confronts the intersection of faith, gender, tradition, and personal truth in a society that was still learning to grapple with these complexities. Marja-Sisko Aalto, born Olli-Veikko Aalto on July 29, 1954, in Lappeenranta, had served as the vicar of the Evangelical Lutheran parish of Imatra from 1986 until 2010. Her life took a dramatic turn in November 2008 when she publicly came out as a transgender woman while still holding her position in the church. In doing so, she not only broke ground as the first openly transgender pastor in the country, but also ignited a national conversation about identity, acceptance, and the role of religion in personal transformation.

Unfightable

Director: Marc Perez
Release Year: 2024

In Unfightable (2024), Emmy-winning director Marc J. Perez trades punches for poignancy in this gripping new documentary about Alana McLaughlin, a transgender woman, former U.S. Army Special Forces sergeant, and professional MMA fighter. The film dives headfirst into the cage, but not just the physical one. This is a story of blood, courage, and visibility, where the real fight takes place far outside the ring. Alana’s journey is nothing short of a battleground. Raised in a conservative South Carolina household that forced her into conversion therapy, barred her from sports, and tried to hammer out any sign of femininity, she endured more hardship before adulthood than most do in a lifetime. But the girl they tried to erase grew into a woman who would become one of the most controversial, and inspiring, figures in combat sports today.

Freier Fall: Johanna K.

Director: Klaus Wildenhahn
Release Year: 1993

In Freier Fall: Johanna K., the legendary documentary filmmaker Klaus Wildenhahn offers not just a portrait, but a raw, unvarnished glimpse into a life on the edge of identity, society, and survival. 

Brianna: A Mother's Story

Director: Iwan Roberts
Release Year: 2025

Some stories linger in the heart long after the credits roll, leaving behind a sense of urgency, sorrow, and hope. Brianna: A Mother’s Story is one such documentary, a profoundly moving tribute to Brianna Ghey, a vibrant 16-year-old girl whose life was tragically cut short in 2023. More than just a retelling of events, the film is a deeply personal exploration of grief, resilience, and the fight for a safer world in her memory. Brianna was a bright and spirited young woman who touched the lives of those around her with her warmth and humor. But behind her infectious smile was a teenager navigating the challenges of growing up, facing bullying, and searching for acceptance in an often unkind world. Her life was cruelly stolen when she was lured to a park and brutally attacked by two teenagers, Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe. She had once considered Jenkinson a friend, unaware of the dark intentions brewing beneath the surface.

I Am Her

Director: Sasha Pezenik
Release Year: 2016

"I Am Her," a 2016 documentary directed by Sasha Pezenik, offers an intimate and raw exploration of the lives of transgender women living on the fringes of New York City. The film highlights the struggles, resilience, and the often-overlooked human stories of individuals within the transgender homeless community, showcasing their battle for self-acceptance and survival. Set against the backdrop of a church in the West Village that extends a helping hand to these individuals, the film offers a glimpse into the harsh realities of street life and the transformative power of community and expression.