Fluffy Friends with a Fierce Message: The Transgender Puppet Variety Show
A joyful, unapologetic short film using puppetry to explore trans life in Britain — screening now in Bournemouth and soon in London now on until 3 August
If you’re near Bournemouth this July, in London later this month, here’s something bold, brilliant and utterly unique to catch while you can.
The Transgender Puppet Variety Show is a 29-minute short film by multidisciplinary artist Artemis Hatfield, using puppetry, humour, and music to explore the experiences of trans people in the UK. Featuring an entirely LGBTQ+ cast of puppeteers, voice actors, and singers, the film tackles serious themes such as discrimination and mental health — all while centring joy, love, and community.
Where to see it
Arts University Bournemouth Summer Show — now showing on a looping VHS tape, 10–21 July 2025
Copeland Gallery, London — 31 July–3 August 2025
Both exhibitions are free to attend.
Behind the Scenes photos by Evie Williams
Also available
A beautifully made magazine with more on the puppet characters and trans life in the UK, available via Delos Publishing
A soundtrack with 5 original songs by Celeste Madden, available on Bandcamp. All proceeds go to the charity Gendered Intelligence
More information & social links
Official website: artemishatfield.com
Instagram: @celestebmadden | @artemishatfield
Letterboxd: Film page
For press or image requests: transpuppets@artemishatafield.com
Press Release (10 July 2025)
The Transgender Puppet Variety Show
‘The Transgender Puppet Variety Show’ is a 29-minute short film by multidisciplinary artist Artemis Hatfield, featuring 8 Puppets portrayed by an LGBTQ+ cast of puppeteers, voice actors, and singers. The film uses puppetry to inform and educate audiences about the lives of transgender+ people and the issues they face, especially in the United Kingdom. It uses lightness and humour to make some serious topics like prejudice, discrimination, and mental health easier to discuss, as well as containing depictions of trans love and joy to celebrate queerness in spite of oppression.
High quality images available upon request, see contact details below.
The film is screening on a looping VHS Tape at the Arts University Bournemouth Summer Show from the 10th to the 21st of July 2025, and again at Copeland Gallery in London from the 31st of July to the 3rd of August. Both exhibitions are free to attend. In addition to the film, there is a magazine that shares more information about the puppet characters and about life as a transgender person — this is available to order from Delos Publishing online.
The soundtrack, with 5 original songs from the film by Celeste Madden, is also available to stream or download from Bandcamp, with any proceeds going to the charity Gendered Intelligence, a trans-led and trans-involving charity that works to increase understandings of gender diversity and improve the lives of trans people.
So, come and join our fluffy friends at The Transgender Puppet Variety Show, on film, through the music, or in print.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
Trans+ characters are portrayed by trans+ performers; other LGBTQ+ characters are portrayed by LGBTQ+ performers.
For teenage & adult audiences. The film is not intended for children as it discusses sensitive topics such as prejudice, discrimination, mental health, and at times uses strong language.
Magazine currently only available in the United Kingdom.
Film is expected to become available online in early 2026, with festival screenings to be announced.
Links:
Further information & press contact:
📧 transpuppets@artemishatafield.com