Tomboy

Tomboy is an educational Canadian short animation film that debuted in 2009 on CBC. It is a 14-minute 2D animated video/movie that follows a day in the life of an elementary school Latina Canadian girl named Alex, as she maneuvers her way through the obstacles of being a gender neutral tomboy who wears unisex clothes and has short hair. This film explores issues of gender expression, bullying and diversity, bringing light to the issues that surround children, through the choices they make, and the emotional repercussions that follow. Tomboy is based on the book Are You a Boy or a Girl?, by author Karleen Pendleton Jiménez, which was a finalist for the 2001 Lambda Literary Awards. Production Tomboy was developed by filmmaker Barb Taylor and Karleen Pendleton Jiménez in association with Coyle Productions. On its initial debut after being completed Tomboy was the recipient of the CBC Canadian Reflections Award (2006), Jury Award & Audience Award, Short Animation, Reeling Festival (2008), Best of Festival, Austin Women's Film and Literary Festival (2008), Jury Award Up and Coming Toronto Film Maker, Inside Out Festival (2008), KIDS FIRST! Best Award! (2009), Best Animation, Urban Mediamakers Film Festival (2009), Jury Award Animation, Orlando Hispanic Film Festival (2009), Best Web Animation, Savannah Animation Festival (2010). Characters and cast Alex (Athena Karkanis) is the tomboy girl who finds it difficult to be who she wants to be, when the other kids start making fun of her and calling her a boy, and questioning her femininity. Even though she tries to stand up for herself, Alex finds it hard to be different in a world where being the same is more readily accepted than being different. Mom (Alex Castillo) is Alex's caring and supportive mom who assures her it's ok to be herself. Mom comforts Alex by letting her know that history is filled with people who are picked on for being different, but in the end, it's not what others think that will make her special or successful, but what's important is that she's doing what makes her happy and is right for her. Postman (Michael Cohen) is the whistling mailman who mistakes Alex for a boy, after complimenting her on her excellent whistling...