She was 60 when she made her drag debut at the iconic Aunt Charlie’s, but Donna Personna is no late bloomer. Personna has been a San Francisco fixture for decades, ever since she left her Baptist family in San Jose behind at the age of 19 and struck out for the City of Fog. Personna became a regular at the queer haven that was Compton’s Cafeteria and began performing with the legendary Cockettes.

Now in her seventies, Donna traces Personna’s intimate journey to becoming who she is today: a storyteller, an artist, an activist. Director Jay Bedwani follows Personna as she works on an immersive play detailing the riot at Compton’s that spurred the trans right movement, sharing her rich memories of that turning point. His camera also captures a long overdue reunion between Donna and her family. Expanding on My Mother, Bedwani’s Iris Prize-winning short about Personna, Donna paints a captivating portrait of a fearless yet charming fighter.