Michal Heuston and Emmett McCourt produced the film, which stars Breton Lalama and A.C. Birch.
by Ejibunu Mercy Ibidun
two trans men escape to the Toronto Islands, collect driftwood in their underwear, and confront something they can barely name: the quiet, complicated desire to be fully seen.
That is the heart of Driftwood, a 10-minute short film set to make its world premiere at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival in the Short Cuts 5 Programme.
Written, directed, and starring A.C. Birch, marking his screen debut, the film follows Tyler (Birch) and his best friend CJ (Breton Lalama) as they flee the city after a bad hookup leaves Tyler scrambling to retrieve a forgotten packer. Instead of facing the question head-on, the pair take a ferry to Hanlan’s Point, where they wander the shoreline, collect pieces of driftwood, and size them up against the possibility of phalloplasty, a conversation neither is quite ready to have.
DRIFTWOOD is written and directed by A.C. Birch (A Queer’s Guide to Spiritual Living (for OUTtv: The Queer Devotional), Bear Night, Boygirl) and stars A.C. Birch, making his screen debut, Breton Lalama (Really Happy Someday (TIFF ’24, Crave), Slasher (Shudder), Law and Order: Toronto (CityTV), The Madness (Netflix)), and Adrian Rebucas (Workin’ Moms (CBC), Special Correspondents (Netflix), Man Seeking Woman (FXX), Skymed (Paramount). It was produced by A.C. Birch, Emmett McCourt (Home Again, Discretion, Disclosure) and Michal Heuston (A Queer’s Guide to Spiritual Living (for OUTtv: The Queer Devotional), Boygirl, The Pigeon King (CBC).
The film was shot in the City of Toronto and on the Toronto Islands.
‘The majority of Driftwood takes place over one day on the Toronto Islands, so it’s especially meaningful to have our world premiere here at home, and at TIFF no less. I am so honoured to be included in this year’s cohort of Canadian filmmakers. At its core, the film is about the kind of intimacy in which you are fully seen by someone you love. It catches Tyler, the main character, at a moment of nakedness and disconnection, and there is no neat and tidy resolution, but none is needed, because he is able to turn to CJ who sees him for everything that he is. It was inspired by my friendship with the film’s co-star, Breton Lalama, and the bonds I share with other gay, trans men. I wanted to create a film in which the wholeness of these characters can be seen by audiences, in the same way Tyler is seen by CJ, and I am seen by Breton.’ said A.C. Birch.
Cinematography by Kurtis Watson (My Dad’s Tapes (TVO), Nowhere Ontario, Love Undivided), production design by Leo Dean (Punk’d Pooch, Boygirl, Run from It), editing by Olive Reed (Unlabelled, Longing, Stranding) and sound design by Jesse Lawrence (Boygirl, Cows Come Home (Bell Fibe), Priscilla (A24).
DRIFTWOOD is a true Canadian microbudget film supported by just $1,500 in crowdfunding. Post-production was completed with the assistance of the National Film Board of Canada Filmmaker Assistance Program.
Screenings:
World Premiere: Monday, Sept 14 – 11:30 AM, Scotiabank 11
2nd Public Screening: Friday, Sept 18 – 2:45 PM, Scotiabank 9
Press and Industry: Monday, Sept 14 – 8:55 AM, Scotiabank 8
For press materials and screening links, visit www.inkcapmedia.com/driftwood.
Driftwood is produced by Ink Cap Media Inc. and Vicarious Playground Productions.
