I Am Michelle

Director: Olena Siyatovska
Release Year: 2022

"I Am Michelle" is a poignant 2022 documentary directed by Olena Siyatovska, which presents the deeply personal journey of Michelle, a young transgender girl navigating the complexities of identity, dreams, and acceptance in the face of societal challenges. Through this deeply emotional and intimate portrayal, the film captures Michelle's experience as she balances her ambitions with the struggles of loneliness, ultimately discovering her true self during a visit to her roots in rural Ukraine.

Trans Runaways

Director: Zha Babaieva
Release Year: 2023

"Trans Runaways" (2023), a powerful documentary by Ukrainian filmmaker and LGBTQIA+ activist Zha Babaieva, offers an intimate look at the lives of transgender activists and refugees from Ukraine as they struggle to rebuild their lives in Berlin amidst the ongoing Russian invasion. The film dives deep into their experiences, offering a glimpse into the harsh realities of gender transition in Ukraine while documenting the added hardships of forced migration. As the refugees try to establish themselves in a new city, tensions rise within their community, especially between two key individuals, Hanna and Kyrylo.