“CALL ME MICKY” NAMED OFFICIAL SELECTION OF THE 2026 NEWARK INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Powerful and Joyful Documentary About Micky Angelo Petrillo’s Late-in-Life Transition Heads to Newark September 10–13, With POSE Star Dominique Jackson as Executive Producer
NEWARK, NJ — September 2026 — Call Me Micky, the warm, funny and deeply personal new documentary short chronicling the remarkable journey of New Jersey native Micky Angelo Petrillo, has been named an Official Selection of the 2026 Newark International Film Festival (NIFF), taking place September 10–13, 2026.
The selection brings Micky’s story home to New Jersey as the 22-minute documentary begins its growing festival run. Directed by Andrew Rasmussen and Executive Produced by acclaimed POSE star Dominique Jackson, Call Me Mickyis an unconventional portrait of a man who waited nearly six decades to begin living openly as the person he always knew himself to be.
Micky transitioned at the age of 59. But Call Me Micky isn’t simply a story about transition.
It’s a story about what happens next.
Now 62, Micky is making up for lost time — embracing Pride celebrations, open mics, storytelling, new friendships, public appearances and an increasingly visible role as an advocate. Along the way, the film captures the humor, unpredictability, vulnerability and sheer force of personality that make Micky impossible to ignore.
Rather than presenting transition as the culmination of Micky’s journey, director Andrew Rasmussen turns the camera toward the life waiting on the other side: the relationships that evolve, the opportunities that suddenly appear and the sometimes hilarious experience of being seen by the world in an entirely new way.
The result is an intimate character portrait about reinvention, authenticity and the possibility of beginning again — at any age.
DOMINIQUE JACKSON JOINS MICKY’S STORY
Adding another powerful voice to the film is Dominique Jackson, internationally recognized for her acclaimed portrayal of Elektra Abundance on FX’s groundbreaking series POSE.
Jackson serves as Executive Producer of Call Me Micky and also appears on camera, joining Petrillo for a personal conversation about identity, visibility and the experience of living openly.
Her involvement gives the documentary an additional layer of perspective while never taking the focus away from the person at its center.
And Micky is very much the center.
Loud, funny, candid, emotional and unapologetically himself, Petrillo gives the documentary a personality that feels far removed from a traditional issue-driven film. Call Me Micky is ultimately about a human being discovering that changing your life doesn’t mean the complicated part is over.
Sometimes, that’s when the interesting part begins.
FROM NEW JERSEY TO THE FESTIVAL CIRCUIT
The Newark International Film Festival selection carries particular meaning because Petrillo’s story is deeply rooted in New Jersey.
A New Jersey-based entrepreneur, author, speaker and activist, Petrillo is also the independent owner of Baskets-N-Beyond in Oradell, New Jersey. His increasingly public life has included Pride events, flag raisings, speaking appearances and advocacy. He has also been recognized by Jersey City Transgender Visibility and honored with a Congressional Seal.
His story extends beyond the screen through his memoir, Walking the Earth: First as a Woman, Then as a Man, which explores the experiences that eventually brought him to this extraordinary new chapter of his life.
For a film so closely tied to one man’s New Jersey roots, its selection by the Newark International Film Festival feels particularly fitting.
And Newark is only part of what is shaping up to be a significant September for the documentary.
Call Me Micky has been selected for four film festivals during September 2026: the Newark International Film Festival, September 10–13; Susquehanna LGBTQ Film Festival, September 11–13; Fire Island Transgender Film Festival, September 11–12; and the 37th Annual Reel Pride LGBTQ Film Festival, September 18–20.
A FILM ABOUT FINALLY GETTING TO LIVE
At its heart, Call Me Micky asks a question that reaches well beyond any single identity or experience:
What happens when you finally give yourself permission to become the person you’ve spent your entire life waiting to be?
For Micky Angelo Petrillo, the answer isn’t quiet.
It’s messy. It’s funny. It’s emotional. It’s occasionally outrageous.
And it’s joyful.
That tone distinguishes Call Me Micky. The documentary doesn’t ignore the challenges that accompany transition, identity and visibility, but neither does it allow those challenges to define its subject. Instead, the filmmakers capture someone charging headfirst into a life he once wasn’t sure he’d ever get to experience.
The film’s official description calls it a portrait of a man who waited six decades to become himself and is now making up for lost time.
THE TEAM BEHIND “CALL ME MICKY”
Call Me Micky is directed by Andrew Rasmussen, with Dominique Jackson serving as Executive Producer.
The film is produced by Cardinal Films, Andrew Rasmussen, Stacey O’Reilly and Micky Angelo Petrillo. Featured appearances include Ike Avelli, Jackson Sturkey, Billy Hess, Ara Khorozian, Mark De Alwis, Rev. Erin Kinahan, Wendy Stuart, Jon D’Amore, Mayor James Solomon and Dominique Jackson.
The documentary runs approximately 22 minutes and is now entering its festival journey at a moment when Micky’s story — and his public platform — continue to grow.
For Petrillo, however, Call Me Micky represents something even more personal.
After spending decades waiting to live as himself, he’s no longer waiting.
And now audiences are getting the chance to meet him.
CALL ME MICKY
Official Selection — 2026 Newark International Film Festival
September 10–13, 2026
Newark, New Jersey
Featuring: Micky Angelo Petrillo
Executive Producer: Dominique Jackson
Director: Andrew Rasmussen
Producers: Cardinal Films, Andrew Rasmussen, Stacey O’Reilly and Micky Angelo Petrillo
Runtime: 22 minutes
Official Call Me Micky Website
