Donna
Synopsis
Donna is offered a chance to co-write a play about an overlooked episode in queer history, the Compton’s Cafeteria Riot, in which transgender women Donna knew stood up against police harrassment. She writes a character to be played by a young transgender activist. Praised for her writing and emboldened by her new friends, she heads out of the city to meet her sister Gloria…
This intimate and uplifting film is beautifully observed by director Jay Bedwani and features mesmerising moments recalled by Donna in her emerging writer’s voice. Donna is a film that shows the strength that can be drawn from your community and proves: it’s never too late to find your métier and truly blossom.
Details
- Year
- 2020
- Type of project
- Features
- Running time
- 75 min
- Format
- HD
- Director
-
Jay Bedwani 1st Feature
- Producer
- Dewi Gregory
- Co-Producer
- Jean-Laurent Csinidis
- Executive Producer
- Andee Ryder, Ian Bonhôte, Kimberley Warner
- Editor
- Alice Powell, Anne de Mo
- Director of Photography
- Jay Bedwani
- Composer
- Antoine Bédard
Categories
Production Status
Production Company
UK, France co-production
Truth Department (UK), Films de Force Majeur (FR)
Truth Department
T'r FarchnadHeol y Farchnad
Caerdydd
Cymru
UK
Page updates
This page was last updated on 10th November 2026. Please let us know if we need to make any amendments or request edit access by clicking below.
See also
You may also be interested in other relevant projects in the database.
Stretch
Director: Jay Bedwani
Year: 2018
Sebastien lives for the thrill of the circus. Now the oldest acrobat in the troupe, he knows this show could be his last.
Pink Suede Shoes
Director: Jay Bedwani
Year: 2016
Jasun Watkins brings his pink, brash and very camp Elvis impersonation act to Porthcawl in the biggest Elvis tribute festival in Europe. This documentary joins him in the days leading up to the competition, as he recalls how his troubled family life and childhood suffering fed his desire for fame.
Mr. Nobody Against Putin
Director: David Borenstein (director), Pavel Talankin (co-director)
Year: 2025
A Russian teacher secretly documents his small town school's transformation into a war recruitment center during the Ukraine invasion, revealing the ethical dilemmas educators face amid propaganda and militarization. Official Selection Sundance Film Festival 2025 - World premiere Official Selection CPH DOX 2025 Official Selection Sheffield DocFest 2025 BAFTA Awards 2026 - Winner - Best Documentary Academy Awards 2026 - Winner - Best Documentary Feature