The short film entitled ‘My Identity’, directed by Vittoria Colonna, was among six films screened at the event. The winning documentary tells the story of Lee, a transgender person, and the impact which his identity has on his daughter Siobhan. Makeup for the film was sponsored by MAC and was created by artist Aisling Eyre.
Commenting on the selection, filmmaker and jury panellist Kirsten Sheridan said “I challenge anyone to watch the winning film and retain a shred of prejudice against transgender people.”
Also judging the competition last night were director Jim Sheridan, filmmaker Rebecca Miller, actors Jeremy Irons and Sinead Cuscak and Senator David Norris.
The winner of last night’s competition will receive a place in the 2009 Summer School on Cinema and Human Rights at the European Inter-University Centre for Human Rights and Democratisation (EIUC) in Venice, which offers master classes and lectures given by renowned experts in the disciplines of film and human rights. The Summer School is a three week crash course on filmmaking for social change, which runs alongside the Venice Film Festival from 27 August to 16 September.
You can view ‘My Identity’ here: http://vimeo.com/4849073
