Krystal LaBeija

Ellis French is a young, gay Black man, rejected by his mother and with few options for his future, decides to join the Marines, doing whatever it takes to succeed in a system that would cast him aside. But even as he battles deep-seated prejudice and the grueling routines of basic training, he finds unexpected camaraderie, strength, and support in this new community, giving him a hard-earned sense of belonging that will shape his identity and forever change his life.

The House of LaBeija is a short documentary film featuring members of the prominent ballroom family, the House of LaBeija. The House of LaBeija is the first ballroom house-- established in 1972 by Crystal LaBeija. The film pays homage to the House of LaBeija through a series of letters from its members and features original music composition from Manhattanite, Khalif Diouf, formerly known as Le1F. In 2022 the House of LaBeija's members continue the tradition of being a safe space for transgender women, a safe space for queer people, and a safe space for those who need one. They are family and New York City is their home.