Affirmation

When a trans guy and a queer guy embark on a first date, their spontaneous moments of affirmation lead to gender euphoria and joy.

When Xavier meets Sebastien at a local cafe, he doesn't know how his first date after bottom surgery will go. As sparks fly in the cafe, Xavier decides to take his date to an unexpected location, a famous bathroom that celebrates gender euphoria. Affirmation is the first film to feature a trans man with lower dysphoria who has had access to gender-affirming care.

Director Biography - Christopher Vallario

Christopher Vallario (he/him) is a trans masculine writer, director, and producer who aims for everyone to see themselves on screen. He collaborates to create diverse stories that celebrate life, especially transgender, Black, brown, and indigenous lives. He has earned screenwriting awards from the Film Empire Diversity Mentorship, WeScreenplay Diverse Voices, Los Angeles International Screenplay, ScreenCraft TV Pilot, the Launch Pad Pilot Competition, the Los Angeles Film, Big Apple Film, the Made in New York Writers room, and NYC International Screenplay. He's an educator and professional writing consultant.

Director Statement

I wanted to have gender-affirming care as the writing on the wall and through Keith Haring's "Once Upon a Time mural," it's made possible. This film is for everybody. Trans people are not a threat. When the trans community is under attack, especially for the most marginalized within it, it is important for me to use my visibility to create real change. This work moves away from stereotypes and toward self-love and liberation. Affirmation shows what’s possible for a trans masculine man today, celebrating gender-euphoria as a slice of life in NYC. It is also a testament to the joys of trans masculine embodiment, which is oftentimes rarely seen in transgender narratives.

DIRECTOR & WRITER: Christopher Vallario

PRODUCERS ALON SHTRUZMAN, SCOTT EINBINDER, NOAM ASH, HENRY RUSSELL BERGSTEIN, WARREN OSTERGARD

PRODUCERS Tony Zosherafatain, Hutch Shea Hutchinson, Chris Ungco, Emmett Preciado

CAST Emmett Preciado, Leo Sheng, Trey Jordan

DIRECTOR OF PHOTGRAPHY Easton Carter Angle