It’s a beautiful day for a birthday party, but it’s clear that the guest of honor isn’t feeling very happy. Wrapping paper, decorations, birthday cake, and gifts—all in various shades of pink and other bright and pastel colors—set the theme for the day. What more could a girl want on her seventeenth birthday?

If you’re Zoe (Kelsie Adelaide), the last thing you want on your seventeenth birthday is a party that screams femininity. Under forced smiles and fabricated words, Zoe hides her true feelings and her sadness, pretending to enjoy all the “girlie” presents and decor. Her good friend, Tahlia (Natalie Fenwick), sees through Zoe’s facade. Tahlia presents her with a gift to open at a later time, ensuring her that it’s more Zoe’s style. As Zoe reaches for the birthday bag, the bandaged underside of her wrist is revealed. Thalia doesn't ask questions and Zoe makes a quick exit.

Zoe is later seen watching a video online of a trans person who has just come out. For the first time, Zoe’s smile is authentic. Her connection to this person’s story and the light she is envisioning at the end of her own dark tunnel is quickly extinguished as she reads the negative and hateful viewer comments. Her mother (Ana Isabel) thinks that Zoe’s unhappiness stems from teenage hormones and that her problems will be gone soon enough.

Zoe reaches into her nightstand drawer for a bottle of pills in an attempt to take her own life. After spending a week in the hospital, Zoe wants to tell the truth, but her mother clearly isn’t getting the message.

Back at home, Zoe finally opens the birthday gift Tahlia gave her. A genuine smile returns to Zoe’s face when she discovers a pair of black boots that are much more her style. As she tries them on, Tahlia drops in for a visit. It suddenly dawns on Zoe that Tahlia already knows the truth, but Zoe finally finds the courage to admit being trans. Tahlia is supportive and offers to give Zoe—now Zach—an instant makeover.

With a change of hairstyle, more masculine clothing, and the new birthday boots, Zach nervously reveals his new look to his parents.

"Masked" was relatable, but it felt a bit rushed and incomplete. Considering that it’s a short film, however, I suppose that’s to be expected. Many trans youth—and other members of the LGBTQ community for that matter—have faced similar struggles in their lives and, unfortunately, have resorted to suicide as a solution. While Zach’s transformation was significant, it seemed to have happened so quickly and easily, while other serious storylines in the film felt underdeveloped.

Although I would Absolutely recommend "Masked" because of the importance of its central theme, I wouldn’t say the film was overly impressive—but the creation of it was. Upon doing some research about this Australian short film, I learned some interesting information about its production. Not only was this a film about youth, but it was created in conjunction with youth as well. Young people from the “Free to be Me” LGBTQIA youth group were involved in various aspects of creation from controlling the cameras, lighting, and sound production to writing, producing, and directing the film, as well as everything in between.

If you have fifteen minutes to spare, consider watching "Masked." It brings to light some important issues that our youth and members of the LGBTQ community face. Above all else, however, it’s a reminder of some important life lessons. For starters, if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all—in person, behind someone’s back, or online. Furthermore, don’t waste your time worrying about what other people think—clearly they’re not doing the same for you. And finally, to paraphrase Tahlia, be true to yourself. When it comes to your gender, sexual orientation, or lifestyle, don’t be afraid to come out. Your family and friends will still love you because you’ll still be you and if they don’t approve or accept you for who you are, then why should you care about them? Remember, “This is your life and you have to live it!”