PFLAG National Debuts New Documentary Short PIECES OF ME For Transgender Day Of Visibility

LOS ANGELES—On Saturday, March 30 at 5:30pm ET/2:30pm PT, in honor of Transgender Day of Visibility (which takes place every year on March 31), PFLAG National debuted its newest short documentary Pieces of Me. The film—written, directed, and produced by Nick Oceano-Armendariz—centers on the life of New York-based artist and transgender activist Joslyn DeFreece and creates a filmic collage about the growth and healing that comes from art, love, family, community, and courage.

“At a time when our transgender and nonbinary loved ones are under attack, it’s critical that stories of love, affirmation, and empowerment are shared,” said Liz Owen (she/her), Director of Communications for PFLAG National. “The takeaway from this beautiful film is clear: When trans people are supported, empowered, and loved—and given space to explore and create—they thrive. We are thrilled to partner again with Nick Oceano-Armendariz, and honored to pass the mic to Joslyn DeFreece for her to courageously share her story.”

Pieces of Me tells the story of Joslyn DeFreece, a successful writer, actress, daughter, friend and transgender activist. The film explores Joslyn’s journey as a kid growing up in a conservative midwestern family, and how she developed the pieces necessary to find self-acceptance, purpose, and sisterhood.

DeFreece, who also serves as the film’s Executive Producer, has appeared on The Daily Show and CNN. She can currently be seen in the comedy series Marque and Hector on Amazon Prime/Dekkoo and on the show Strange Angel, streaming on Paramount+. DeFreece’s screenplay Distant Sisters, co-written with Linus Ignatius, was a 2022 semi-finalist for the Sundance Development Lab.

“My passion lies in telling stories that invite viewers to question their own perspectives. Not necessarily to change them, but to challenge them to put themselves in someone else’s shoes for a moment, to build empathy. That’s my hope for Pieces of Me; that it will help to build that empathy,” said DeFreece. “I’m grateful to PFLAG National for supporting me and offering this platform and their resources to make this project. I’m also grateful to my friend—and now collaborator—Nick Oceano-Armendariz.”

The film is written, produced, and directed by Oceano-Armendariz, an award-winning queer, Latino filmmaker whose breakthrough 2008 MTV film Pedro, written by Dustin Lance Black about the life of AIDS activist Pedro Zamora, played both the Berlin and Toronto International Film Festivals, and was nominated for GLAAD Media and WGA Awards, as well as the Humanitas Prize. Armendariz has previously worked with PFLAG National on films that highlight stories from diverse and traditionally marginalized communities, including director Qiydaar Foster’s 2022 film Taking the Long Road Home, which explored the intersection of faith, and Black and queer identities. The film played numerous festivals including DC’s Reel Affirmations; Out in Film in Atlanta; the LA Black Film Festival; and the Baltimore International Film Festival; and took the Festival Favorite Award at Cinema Diverse: The Palm Springs LGBTQ Film Festival.

“As a queer, Latino filmmaker and activist for nearly two decades, I’m grateful to continue my partnership with PFLAG National to make films that give a platform to queer and BIPOC-inclusive stories,” said Oceano-Armendariz. “A year ago, I approached PFLAG National about making this film about Joslyn, my dear friend of 15 years. My hope was to create a piece that gives a better understanding of—and empathy for—trans people through a snapshot of her life as a woman, activist, and artist. It was also important to me that the project include opportunities for me to mentor young queer and BIPOC artists. I’m grateful, then, to have been given the go-ahead to create this film, and to hire and mentor trans creators on our crew, including a young nonbinary director. PFLAG National, and my collaboration with Joslyn, have led to creating a beautiful piece that uplifts these stories at a time when the world really needs them—and reinvigorated my commitment to do all that I can for my community.”

Pieces of Me premiered on Saturday, March 30th at 5:30pm ET/2:30pm PT on the PFLAG National website at pflag.org/PiecesOfMe, and on all of PFLAG National’s social channels, @pflag on all platforms.

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