Bennett Wallace, the star of award winning documentary ‘Real Boy’, will visit Dublin for a series of screenings and workshops.

A charismatic teenager with musical aspirations, Bennett Wallace is on the brink of adulthood. As he navigates the ups and downs of gender transition and grapples with a history of substance abuse, Bennett embarks on a journey to find his voice—as a musician, a friend, a son, and a man.

Filmed over four years, Real Boy was first shown in Ireland at GAZE last August, and follows Wallace, charismatic teenager with musical aspirations, as he navigates the ups and downs of gender transition, grapples with a history of substance abuse, and embarks on a journey to find his voice—as a musician, a friend, a son, and a man.

The film also follows Bennett’s relationship with his mother Suzy, who has deep misgivings about his transition. As Suzy struggles to come to terms with his decision, Bennett is taken under the wing of his idol Joe Stevens, a celebrated transgender musician fighting his own demons.

Wallace, Stevens and the film’s Director/Producer, Shaleece Haas will visit Axis Ballymun from Tuesday September 20 to 24 for a series of screenings and workshops. The week will feature artist gatherings, workshops with youth and young adult groups, two free screenings of the documentary and a performance by Bennett Wallace of some of the original music featured in the film.

According to Broden Giambrone of Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI), “Real Boy tells an honest and compelling story about the journey to authenticity. Documentaries like this one help raise the visibility and promote the awareness of trans experiences by presenting nuanced and complex stories about our lives.”

A free public screening of ‘Real Boy’ will take place on Friday the 23rd of September at 8pm followed by a musical performance from Bennett Wallace with special guest Joe Stevens. Tickets can be booked by mailing [email protected] or by calling Axis on (01) 883 2100. Watch the trailer below: