Trailer

Born to Be

Runtime
1hr 32mins
Directed by
Tania Cypriano
Featuring
Dr. Jess Ting, Garnet Rubio, Naomi Vassor
Body

Through our Virtual Screening Room, you can rent films curated by the Coolidge team, while helping to support the Coolidge during this unprecedented time.

Born to Be follows the work of Dr. Jess Ting (he/him) at the groundbreaking Mount Sinai Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery. There, for the first time ever in New York City, transgender and gender non-conforming people have access to quality transition-related care. With extraordinary access, this remarkable documentary offers an intimate look at how one doctor’s work impacts the lives of his patients as well as how his journey from renowned plastic surgeon to pioneering gender-affirming specialist has led to his own transformation.

Plus, filmmaker Tania Cypriano and film subjects Dr. Jess Ting, Garnet Rubio, and Naomi Vassor joined us for a Science on Screen Q&A. Watch here or at the embedded video below:

Having technical issues? Visit our FAQ page here.

Reviews
Review Text

Deeply moving and humane.

Review Author
Frank Scheck
Review Publication
Hollywood Reporter
Review Text

Heartbreaking, uplifting... a must-see.

Review Author
Norman Gidney
Review Publication
Film Threat
Review Text

Intimate and highly compelling... poignant and finely tuned.

Review Author
Jude Dry
Review Publication
IndieWire

This Week

  • From award-winning writer-director Mona Fastvold comes the extraordinary true legend of Ann Lee, founder of the devotional sect known as the Shakers.

    Showtimes
  • Winner, Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize, 2025 Venice Film Festival

    Showtimes
  • The new film from Joachim Trier (The Worst Person in the World), starring Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård, and Elle Fanning.

    Showtimes
  • From Academy Award winning writer/director Chloé Zhao, starring Jessie Buckley, and Paul Mescal. 

    Showtimes
  • A frisky, feminine, film noir about psychoanalysis and many other things… 

    Showtimes
  • A rising pop star navigates the complexities of fame and industry pressure while preparing for her arena tour debut.

    Showtimes
  • Nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 2026 Academy Awards.

    Showtimes
  • Pre-film seminar by Sarah Keller, professor of art and director of cinema studies at UMass Boston.

    Showtimes
  • LOVE DOESN'T ASK QUESTIONS... it takes what it wants!

    Showtimes
  • The new film from director Park Chan-wook (Oldboy, Decision to Leave) and based on Donald E. Westlake's novel The Ax

    Showtimes
  • The debut feature from filmmaker Harry Lighton, starring Alexander Skarsgård and Harry Melling.

    Showtimes
  • Kasi Lemmons’ spellbinding feature debut starring Samuel L. Jackson, Jurnee Smollett, and Diahann Carroll.

    Showtimes
  • Screenwriter Owen Egerton will join us in-person to introduce the Saturday, February 7 screening.

    Showtimes
  • Sing. Dance. Laugh. Repeat!

    Showtimes
  • Can a man and a woman be friends, or does sex always get in the way?

    Showtimes
  • It's supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

    Showtimes
  • Pre-film seminar taught by Mikal J. Gaines, Ph.D !

    Showtimes
  • A sing-along version of Disney's 1991 masterpiece.

    Showtimes
  • Perhaps the most extraordinary story of courage, conflict and devotion ever filmed!

    Showtimes
  • The greatest adventure of all is finding our place in the circle of life.

    Showtimes
  • Sing along to “We Don't Talk About Bruno,” “Two Oruguitas”, and more!

    Showtimes
  • In the weeks unfolding after Liat is kidnapped, her father resists efforts to use her captivity to justify escalating violence in Gaza, exposing rifts within his family.

    Showtimes
  • Director John Carpenter broke frozen ground with this milestone in special effects and gore.

    Showtimes