Donna

Ecstatic lipsynching in downtown bars is a far cry from Donna’s Baptist upbringing in San Jose; now in her seventies, her estranged siblings haven’t even seen her in a dress.

Donna is offered a chance to co-write a play about an overlooked episode in queer history, the Compton’s Cafeteria Riot, in which transgender women Donna knew stood up against police harrassment. She writes a character to be played by a young transgender activist.  Praised for her writing and emboldened by her new friends, she heads out of the city to meet her sister Gloria…

This intimate and uplifting feature documentary is beautifully observed by director Jay Bedwani and features mesmerising moments recalled by Donna in her emerging writer’s voice.  Donna is a film that shows the strength that can be drawn from your community and proves: it’s never too late to find your métier and truly blossom.

Donna is released in UK and Irish cinemas and on Bohemia Euphoria 15th July 2022.