Berhampur: The Transition, a documentary made by 26-year-old Anwesha Brahma of Berhampur, an alumnus of Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), New Delhi, portrays the dreams and aspirations of members of the third sex.

"We always associate begging and prostitution with transgenders. Through this documentary, we want to establish the fact that their identity is defined by something more. The main objective of this film is to impart a message to the society that transgenders must be brought to the mainstream of life and they should fulfill their dreams," said Anwesha.

Anwesha presently works as a digital marketing executive. "This is my second documentary and 10 transgenders, all from Berhampur, have co-operated me for 15 days to create this film. The shooting took place in Berhampur and New Delhi. This documentary was first screened at Satya Sai Auditorium in New Delhi on March 31 and at IIMC New Delhi on April 21. The documentary has been selected for screening at Wexford International Film Festival in Ireland on September 23 this year," she said.

The film was screened in Berhampur on July 8. "There was a transgender cultural festival and a fashion show by transgenders showcasing the handlooms and the textiles of Odisha. There was a panel discussion on "Portrayal of Transgender Community in Indian Cinema and Literature" organized by Anwesha Kala Kendra, Berhampur. Journalist Apsara Reddy and the first Indian transgender representative of the United Nations Laxminarayan Tripathy took part in the panel discussion with the students of journalism and mass communication," she said.

This documentary expresses the aspirations of transgenders especially after the Supreme Court of India declared the transgender as the third gender in 2014. The film reflects the other side of the lives of the transgenders who have same hopes and expectations as any other individual.

"Society is apprehensive of their inclusion. I sincerely request the people to open up their minds and treat the people of third gender with equality," said Anwesha.

Anwesha had produced her first documentary Curse of Apathy: The Health and Care Infrastructure in Kalahandi district in 2016.