Summer Within (2023), 71 minutes, Summer Minerva and Adam Golub, dirs.

In Summer Within, a gender-fluid artist and performer from Staten Island struggles to belong in her Italian American family. With her beloved immigrant grandmother’s dementia worsening, Summer Minerva travels to Naples and the surrounding area to explore her roots. There she encounters the ancient transgender tradition of the femminielli. She connects with this community in Naples and documents their participation in the Candelora (Candlemas) feast in February at the sanctuary of the dark-skinned Madonna of Montevergine. Journeying through self-discovery, Summer also reflects on her grandmother’s experiences and on what it means to go “home.”

Post-screening discussion led by Fred Gardaphé, Queens College, CUNY.