A transgender boy celebrates his birthday in online games, away from the bullying he faces at an all girls school. A film by an LGBTQ+ crew.
Produced by: James Bell
Directed by: Leo LeBeau
Written by: James Bell & Leo LeBeau
Cast: Sebastian Emmerson (Alex), Ted Reilly (Henry), Selma Alkaff (Elle-Louise)
About the Film:
Birthday Boy is a powerful and heartfelt short film that delves into the complex experience of growing up transgender. Co-written by James Bell and Leo LeBeau, the film follows Alex (Sebastian Emmerson), a young trans boy on the brink of adolescence, as he faces bullying and confusion at school, while finding solace in an online gaming friendship.
Premiering on Channel 4 in 2021, Birthday Boy quickly became one of the highest streamed short films on the platform. It has since been distributed globally and is available to stream on GagaOOLala and OutTV, reaching an international audience.
Production and Casting:
As an indie film producer, I had the privilege of working alongside director Leo LeBeau in developing and bringing this story to life. Together we raised a budget of £13,000 via Kickstarter. We made great efforts to create our film with a majority LGBTQ+ crew, to promote positive change within the industry.
We also approached the casting process with great care, conducting an open casting call to ensure authenticity in the film’s representation. For all the supporting roles, we worked closely with casting director Sharon Sorrentino, who helped us find actors that added depth and nuance to the story.
We even had Ben Hunte from BBC film the casting process, though the footage was never released publicly. This journey was a testament to the power of teamwork, and the diverse cast and crew that emerged brought authenticity to Alex’s story.
Where to Watch:
You can now watch Birthday Boy streaming on:
Awards and Screenings:
Birthday Boy was winner of The Iris Prize Audience Award in 2021 and has been showcased in multiple international film festivals. It continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.
Stay tuned for updates on upcoming screenings!
