Micky Angelo Petrillo’s acclaimed documentary continues its successful festival journey with an official selection at the 2026 REEL EXPOSURE Film Festival on October 24, celebrating authenticity, human connection, and the power of storytelling…
The REEL EXPOSURE Film Festival is a production of The Good Fortune Movement, in collaboration with Siren Unplugged.
Brooklyn is about to meet a man with an extraordinary story, an unforgettable personality, and a message that couldn’t be more relevant.
Award-winning documentary Call Me Micky, featuring the remarkable life and experiences of Micky Angelo Petrillo, has been named an Official Selection of the 2026 REEL EXPOSURE Film Festival & Cultural Experience, scheduled for Saturday, October 24, at Brooklyn Commons in New York.
But this isn’t simply another documentary screening.
It’s an opportunity to meet someone who has made it his mission to break down barriers, challenge misconceptions, and prove that sometimes the most powerful way to change hearts and minds is through laughter, honesty, and the courage to have a real conversation.
And Micky Angelo Petrillo isn’t afraid of any conversation.
A Remarkable Life. An Extraordinary Journey. One Unforgettable Man.
There are people who spend their lives trying to fit into society’s expectations. Then there are people like Micky Angelo Petrillo, who have the courage to live life on their own terms.
As a transgender man who has experienced the world from two very different perspectives, Petrillo brings a rare and deeply personal understanding of identity, transformation, and the universal desire to be accepted.
His documentary, Call Me Micky, takes audiences beyond the headlines and political debates surrounding transgender issues and introduces them to something far more meaningful: the human being behind the label.
The film explores Petrillo’s experiences with identity, personal transformation, relationships, acceptance, and the emotional complexities of discovering and embracing one’s authentic self.
Yet what makes his story especially compelling is his approach.
Petrillo doesn’t rely on confrontation or anger to communicate his message. Instead, he uses humor, compassion, personal experiences, and an extraordinary willingness to connect with people who may see the world differently.
“My mission is to change the perception people have of the trans community through humor and a radical connection,” Petrillo explains.
It’s a philosophy that runs throughout the documentary and helps distinguish Call Me Micky from traditional films about identity and social acceptance.
An Award-Winning Documentary That Continues to Make an Impact
Call Me Micky has already attracted attention on the independent film festival circuit, earning recognition for its compelling storytelling and meaningful subject matter.
The documentary’s honors include:
- Best Documentary — New York Transgender Film Festival
- Spirit of Pride Award — Susquehanna LGBTQ Film Festival
- Official Selection — 2026 REEL EXPOSURE Film Festival & Cultural Experience
Each recognition represents another opportunity for Petrillo’s story to reach new audiences and encourage conversations that might otherwise never happen.
For Petrillo, the real victory isn’t simply collecting awards or appearing at festivals. It’s reaching the person who walks into a screening with one perspective and leaves with a greater understanding of someone else’s life.
That is the kind of impact that makes documentary filmmaking so important.
Brooklyn, Bring Your Questions — Micky Is Ready!
One of the most exciting aspects of the REEL EXPOSURE festival is its emphasis on direct interaction between filmmakers and audiences.
The evening’s program includes a filmmaker conversation beginning at 8:25 PM, followed by an audience Q&A at 8:50 PM.
And if there’s one thing audiences should know about Micky Angelo Petrillo, it’s that he doesn’t shy away from difficult questions.
“Bring your tough questions. I’m willing to answer them all!” Petrillo declares.
His openness is more than a personality trait. It’s central to his belief that understanding begins with communication.
In a world where conversations about transgender identity frequently become divisive, Petrillo offers a different approach: sit down, talk, ask questions, share experiences, and discover how much people have in common.
He believes humor can disarm prejudice, honesty can replace assumptions, and genuine human connection can accomplish what arguments often cannot.
Whether someone comes to the screening already familiar with transgender experiences or knowing very little about them, Call Me Micky offers an opportunity to encounter a life story told with sincerity, vulnerability, and plenty of personality.
REEL EXPOSURE Celebrates Independent Cinema and Cultural Connection
The 2026 REEL EXPOSURE Film Festival & Cultural Experience promises much more than an evening at the movies.
Taking place at Brooklyn Commons, the festival brings together independent filmmakers, artists, creative professionals, and film enthusiasts for an immersive celebration of storytelling, culture, and community.
With the involvement of Siren Unplugged and Good Fortune Movement, the event combines film screenings with filmmaker discussions, networking opportunities, food, cocktails, photography, and cultural experiences.
The evening begins at 5:00 PM with a cocktail reception, followed by opening remarks at 6:00 PM.
The first screening block starts at 6:15 PM, with a second block scheduled for 7:30 PM following a cultural intermission.
At 8:25 PM, the festival shifts its focus to Behind the Lens: Filmmaker Conversation, offering audiences an opportunity to hear directly from the creative voices behind the selected films.
An audience Q&A follows at 8:50 PM, with filmmaker recognition and closing remarks beginning at 9:10 PM.
The celebration continues through 10:00 PM with music, networking, and final opportunities to connect.
For independent filmmakers, events like REEL EXPOSURE provide a valuable platform to share stories that may not receive attention through traditional Hollywood channels.
And for a documentary like Call Me Micky, that platform is especially meaningful.
More Than a Documentary — A Conversation That Needs to Happen
What makes Call Me Micky resonate is the simple but powerful idea that everyone has a story worth hearing.
Petrillo’s journey is uniquely his own, but the emotions behind it are universal.
The desire to belong. The struggle to be understood. The courage required to embrace change. The importance of being accepted for who you truly are.
These are experiences that transcend gender, background, age, and personal beliefs.
Through his film, Petrillo encourages audiences to look beyond differences and recognize the shared humanity that connects us all.
And he manages to deliver that message without losing the humor, personality, and fearless attitude that make him such a memorable subject.
At a time when society seems increasingly divided, perhaps that’s exactly the kind of storytelling audiences need.
Not another argument.
Not another political debate.
Just one remarkable man sharing his life, his experiences, and his belief that genuine understanding is still possible.
October 24: Brooklyn Gets Its Chance to Meet Micky
As Call Me Micky continues its journey through the independent film festival circuit, its selection for REEL EXPOSURE represents another important milestone.
For audiences in Brooklyn and the surrounding New York area, October 24 offers an opportunity to support independent filmmaking while experiencing a documentary that celebrates individuality, resilience, and the transformative power of acceptance.
Micky Angelo Petrillo has lived an extraordinary story.
Now he’s sharing it with the world, one screening, one conversation, and one audience at a time.
WATCH OUT, BROOKLYN! MICKY IS COMING — AND HE’S GOT SOMETHING TO SAY!
Event Details
Event: REEL EXPOSURE Film Festival & Cultural Experience 2026
Featured Documentary: Call Me Micky
Featuring: Micky Angelo Petrillo
Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026
Time: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Venue: Brooklyn Commons, Brooklyn, New York
Admission: $30, including cocktails and food
Festival Highlights: Independent film screenings, filmmaker conversations, audience Q&A, cultural experiences, and networking
Organizers: Siren Unplugged and Good Fortune Movement
Follow Call Me Micky on Facebook:
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