Paul, this was a wonderful piece of artwork. The cinematography was absolutely beautiful, extraordinarily mature for a student filmmaker, and I'd love to hear a follow-up from you as to how this short has been received elsewhere (i.e. outside the trans community.)
The film had me close to tears – not of sadness or anger, but happiness; right at the end where – SPOILER ALERT! – the lead puts the makeup back on, smiles, and then goes back out. Because that sums it up so nicely. We're hardly accepted by many segments of society, but that doesn't necessarily matter because we can be happy just being who we are. Emotionally, you managed to capture the ups and downs, and I'm so glad you ended on an up – for me, so many days end on a down.
I appreciate you putting the time into making this.