Niñxs

What happens when we let trans people tell their own stories? Director Kani Lapuerta decided to take a slightly non-traditional approach to his time-lapse documentary about Karla Bañuelos’ transition. Fifteen-year-old Karla is growing up in a small Mexican town, and on top of the usual teenage problems, she’s also dealing with a body that isn’t developing the way she wishes. But thanks to the support of her family and friends, her journey into adulthood is accompanied by laughter and a bit of teenage cringe. Lapuerta’s camera follows this eight-year process with respect and empathy, allowing Karla to be more than just the object of observation. After years of filming, they revisit the footage together and piece together the story of her adolescence through Karla’s own eyes. Premiering at the prestigious Visions du Réel festival, this documentary proves that films about transition can be inspiring and funny – all it takes is allowing trans people to make them themselves.