Real Boy

Real Boy is an intimate story of a family in transition. As 19-year-old Bennett navigates early sobriety, late adolescence, and the evolution of his gender identity, his mother makes her own transformation from resistance to acceptance of her trans son.

Bennett Wallace
Series
Independent Lens
Premiere Date
June 19, 2017
Length
60 minutes
Funding Initiative
Open Call
  • Award laurels-r Created with Sketch.
    2016 Frameline Film Festival-Audience Award
  • Nominated laurels-r Created with Sketch.
    2018 GLAAD Media Awards-Outstanding Documentary
    • Headshot of woman
    Director

    Shaleece Haas

    Shaleece is an Emmy Award-winning documentary producer and director with 15 years’ experience in the field. Producing credits include Trans in America (Emmy Award, 2018), Asian Americans (Peabody Award, 2020), and Delikado (Nominee, Emmy Award, 2022). She directed Real Boy (Independent Lens, 2016) and To the Future, with Love (POV, 2021).

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    The Film

    Real Boy is an intimate story of a family in transition. As 19-year-old Bennett Wallace navigates early sobriety, late adolescence, and the evolution of his gender identity, his mother makes her own transformation from resistance to acceptance of her trans son. Along the way, both mother and son find support in their communities, reminding us that families are not only given, but chosen.

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