Valentina

Valentina is a 17 year old transgender girl who moves to a small town with her mother. The town presents a new, better job for her mother and a violent uphill battle for Valentina. At her new school, she is legally entitled to be called by her social name, rather than the name on her birth certificate. The school requires both of her parents’ signatures for this to happen even though she is estranged from her father. In her fight to be called by the correct name in class, she encounters the violent transphobia of her new town. Although some of her friends identify as queer, Valentina quickly encounters how isolating and harmful of an environment the town is. Alongside a supportive group of friends, she works to be recognized for who she is and have the education she deserves. However, Valentina’s resilience and inner strength will ultimately help her overcome the obstacles of ignorance and fear. This film highlights some of the many challenges transgender youth experience in Brazil and globally.