Transgender Day of Visibility, celebrated annually on March 31st, is a powerful opportunity to uplift and honor the resilience, creativity, and diverse experiences of transgender and nonbinary people. Whether you're a librarian looking to diversify your collection or an educator seeking inclusive media for the classroom, these films and documentaries offer meaningful stories that spotlight trans joy, struggle, resistance, and community.
From a heartfelt road trip and powerful performance art to animated allegories and experimental narratives, each of these titles brings something unique to the table. They are perfect for public screenings, book-and-film club discussions, or simply for visibility-focused programming that affirms and amplifies trans voices.
Netflix
Will & Harper
Will & Harper follows the real-life journey of actor Will Ferrell and his longtime friend Harper Steele, a trans woman who came out later in life. The film documents their cross-country road trip, filled with humor, heartfelt conversations, and moments of vulnerability as Harper shares her story and Will asks questions with honesty and openness. Through this journey, the two friends explore identity, friendship, and the importance of showing up for one another. The result is a deeply personal and often funny exploration of what it means to grow together in a changing world.
This film is ideal for libraries and classrooms because it frames trans visibility through a lens of allyship and personal connection. It’s especially valuable for audiences unfamiliar with trans issues, as it models respectful dialogue and emotional support between friends. The accessibility of the story, combined with Will Ferrell’s well-known presence, makes it a strong introduction to trans topics for high school and college viewers.
Will & Harper is available for streaming on Netflix.
Altered Innocence
The People’s Joker
A daring, DIY-style parody, The People’s Joker reimagines Gotham’s clown prince of crime as a trans woman finding her voice through anti-comedy. Directed by and starring Vera Drew, the film is a chaotic, genre-defying blend of personal memoir and comic book satire. It challenges traditional storytelling structures while tackling themes like gender dysphoria, self-expression, and gatekeeping in the comedy world. By fusing superhero tropes with raw personal narrative, The People’s Joker stands as a rebellious and original exploration of trans identity and artistic freedom.
This film is a fun conversation starter for high school and college students interested in media studies, LGBTQ+ topics, and independent filmmaking. For libraries, its bold visual style and unapologetically queer voice make it a unique and important addition to collections focused on identity, art, and activism. It also opens the door to discussions about censorship, satire as resistance, and how trans creators are redefining pop culture on their own terms.
Read our full review of The People's Joker here.
Stream The People's Joker on Prime Video.
EPF Media
Canela
Canela is a moving documentary portrait of a trans woman in Argentina, balancing her roles as an architect, activist, and parent. The film follows Canela over several years as she navigates relationships with her adult children, reflects on her transition, and contemplates whether to pursue gender-affirming surgery. Shot with care and intimacy, Canela captures the small, everyday moments of trans life - moments that are often absent from public discourse.
For libraries and classrooms, Canela offers a powerful example of trans identity outside of the U.S. context, expanding the global conversation around gender diversity. It is especially well-suited for college-level courses in Latin American studies, gender studies, or sociology. The documentary encourages viewers to think about aging and bodily autonomy through an intersectional and culturally grounded lens, making it a deeply human and essential title for inclusive collections.
Read our full review of Canela here.
Canela is available for purchase at EPF Media.
Roadshow Entertainment
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
This iconic road movie follows two drag queens and a trans woman as they travel across the Australian outback in a beat-up bus named Priscilla. Along the way, they face prejudice, forge unlikely friendships, and bring glitter and glamour to some of the most rural corners of Australia. Terence Stamp’s portrayal of Bernadette, a trans woman, was groundbreaking at the time, and the film remains a camp classic with a big heart.
Priscilla continues to be a relevant and celebratory title for LGBTQ+ history and media classes. While it reflects the language and attitudes of the 1990s, it also serves as an early example of trans representation on screen. Libraries benefit from having this film in their collections not only for its cultural significance but also for its continued appeal across generations. It’s a great title for sparking discussions on the evolution of queer cinema and how humor, performance, and resilience intersect in LGBTQ+ storytelling.
Read our full review of The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert here.
Stream The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert on Prime Video.
HBO
Suited
This uplifting HBO documentary centers on Bindle & Keep, a Brooklyn-based tailoring company that creates custom suits for trans and gender-nonconforming clients. The film follows a handful of individuals as they prepare for important milestones - job interviews, weddings, and graduations - by finding clothes that affirm their identities. What emerges is a portrait of dignity, confidence, and the emotional importance of being seen in the way you choose to present yourself.
For educators and librarians, Suited offers a concrete way to explore how fashion, gender identity, and self-esteem intersect. It’s especially useful for discussions about body image, workplace inclusion, and trans visibility in everyday life. The film’s warmth and accessibility make it perfect for classroom screenings and community events.
Stream Suited on Prime Video.
Samuel Goldwyn Films
Cowboys
Cowboys follows the story of Troy, a father who goes on the run through the Montana wilderness with his trans son, Joe, after a family conflict escalates. Their journey is both a literal and metaphorical escape, as Troy wrestles with legal consequences and Joe finds freedom away from misunderstanding. The rugged outdoors setting underscores the challenges they face, but also provides an arena for honest conversation between father and son. The tone of the film heartfelt, focusing on the love and bond that push them to keep going despite looming capture. Ultimately, Cowboys is a tender narrative about acceptance, parenthood, and the lengths one family will go to protect a child’s sense of self.
For libraries, Cowboys offers an evocative modern Western that reframes traditional tropes to include a trans youth at its core. Educators can leverage the film to discuss rural culture, parenting, and the complexities of supporting a trans child.
Stream Cowboys on Prime Video.
The Video Project
Threshold
Threshold is a Brazilian documentary that follows a mother’s journey as she witnesses her child’s transition from female to male. Filmed over several years, it provides an intimate look at how familial bonds evolve, shaped by love, uncertainty, and an unwavering commitment to understanding. Viewers see the mother’s diary-like confessions as she grapples with the social, emotional, and legal aspects of her child’s transition. The film captures raw moments of joy and tension, highlighting the delicate balance between personal growth and societal expectations.
Ideal for libraries and classrooms, Threshold offers a look at the emotional evolution of a parent navigating gender transition. It’s well-suited for health, family studies, and gender studies courses, especially when discussing supportive parenting, cultural expectations, and the emotional impact of transition within families. The film’s diary-like format provides authenticity and emotional intimacy, making it a useful and moving resource for intergenerational conversations about gender.
Threshold is available for purchase at The Video Project.
Netflix
Nimona
Adapted from ND Stevenson’s graphic novel, Nimona is an animated film about a shape-shifting teen who teams up with a disgraced knight to topple a corrupt institution. Despite never being explicitly labeled as trans in the film, Nimona’s fluid transformations and identity struggles resonate strongly with trans and nonbinary audiences. Vibrant animation and witty dialogue help keep the film playful, even as it tackles deeper themes of prejudice and misunderstanding. By the end, Nimona’s self-determination sets the stage for discussions on belonging and the right to exist freely in one’s chosen form.
Nimona stands out as a youth-friendly title that addresses identity and marginalization in an accessible, entertaining format. Libraries, in particular, can benefit from offering this film as a bridge to meaningful conversations about gender fluidity and societal acceptance. Middle school students can engage in critical thinking about the parallels between Nimona’s shape-shifting and real-world experiences of self-discovery. Its inclusive undertones make Nimona a valuable companion to lessons on diversity, representation in media, and literary adaptation.
Nimona is available for streaming on Netflix.
Docutainment Films
Dawn, a Charleston Legend
This documentary pays tribute to Dawn Langley Simmons, a trailblazing trans woman and socialite who defied norms in mid-century Charleston. The film highlights her groundbreaking interracial marriage, her gender affirmation journey, and her legacy as a writer and eccentric icon. Through archival footage and interviews with historians, family, and community members, Dawn explores the cultural intersections of gender, race, and Southern identity.
An important title for libraries preserving regional and LGBTQ+ history, Dawn, a Charleston Legend adds depth to conversations about intersectionality and representation. It is especially useful in high school and college courses covering American studies, LGBTQ+ history, or Southern culture. The film also serves as a reminder that trans visibility has deep roots in communities often overlooked, making it a must-have for educators aiming to present a more complete historical narrative.
Read our full review of Dawn, a Charleston Legend here.
Stream Dawn, a Charleston Legend on Prime Video.
Frameline
Transfinite
Transfinite is a visually rich, genre-blending anthology of short films featuring trans and non-binary people of color. Each segment centers on a character with supernatural powers - be it the ability to protect a home from violence or create new realities. These stories, while fantastical, are grounded in very real emotions: love, rage, healing, and transformation. The film celebrates the beauty of queerness and reclaims space for trans people to imagine themselves as powerful, whole, and free.
This is a standout choice for libraries serving diverse communities and classrooms exploring intersectionality. Transfinite can be used in literature, film, or cultural studies courses to explore how speculative storytelling can empower marginalized voices. It’s rare and much-needed film that places trans people of color at the center - not as victims, but as visionaries. The layered storytelling invites viewers to unpack systems of oppression while celebrating joy and resilience.
Stream Transfinite on Prime Video.