Okotoks film makers, Nick McArthur and Anna Kunnecke, have received a $50,000 grant to produce a documentary surrounding their unique family dynamic.

Kunnecke says she and Nick were surprised when they received the grant approval, and look forward to telling the story of their journey to others.

"We've had an unusual journey as a family, and we felt that there was something in our story that might be helpful to other families. We applied for the grant, and to be honest, we didn't really think we were gonna get it. Now we're going to make a documentary, and we're equal part thrilled and terrified," she said.

McArthur, who is a transgender man, gave birth to four of the couple's five children before his recent transition.

"We went through the exciting part of transitioning, and are sort of on the other side of that. And now we appear to be just your typical family, even though we have some exciting, behind the scenes things going on if you get to know us," he said.

The documentary, titled "Just Another Beautiful Family," will feature the every day life and challenges their family faces, with hopes of helping others in the same situation.

Kunnecke says they have an important message and story to share with others and intend to do that through their film work.

"Our real goal is to try and show, especially transgender kids, what's possible for them. There's a story out there, and it's a really important story to tell of the struggles and challenges that transgender people face," she said.

The family of seven have hired a film crew that will follow them in every day life scenarios as they build the documentary. The film is scheduled to be completed in May of 2019 and will be available on Telus Optik TV on Demand, and Storyhive.com.

 

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