No Bikini
Short Film
2007
United States of America, Canada
A child named Robin, played by Canadian actress Matreya Fedor, chooses to be known as a boy while attending swimming lessons. Inspired by a short story of the same name, published by butch/non-binary activist Ivan E. Coyote.
Watch.
Available Summary:
"Robin takes us back to that glorious time when she was seven years old and shows us how it defined her for the rest of her life." -IMDb.
Jack's Summary:
This sweet, simple short film is based on the true experiences of Ivan E. Coyote, a renowned non-binary/butch Canadian activist. Robin, the protagonist of No Bikini, is a pre-pubescent kid who feels irritated and restricted by female bathing costumes, and so chooses to go shirtless like the boys do. This feels so natural, easy, and right that Robin hopes the swimming lessons will go on forever but, at the end of the film, Robin's mother is astounded and annoyed when she finds out that Robin has been "parading around half-naked for six weeks".
What I like about this film is that it could easily be about a trans boy, a non-binary youth, a tomboy, or simply a girl who sees no difference between herself and other kids. No Bikini is set in a simpler, easier period of childhood where gender norms don't really exist, and splashing around in a pool doesn't require rules. There are no physical differences between Robin and the boys, when Robin is walking around shirtless. So, why not wear the most comfortable swimwear?
Robin smiles when the swimming lesson report card is read out: "Your son has successfully passed his beginner's badge and is ready for the next level. He shows great promise. We suggest that you enrol him in our competitive swim program."
When just watching the short film, without the further context of Coyote's experiences, the viewer is left to wonder about Robin's motivations. Is Robin smiling because she is simply a girl being free and uninhibited, uncaring about gender and simply delighted to have performed above her peers? Or is Robin smiling because they, like Ivan Coyote, are motivated by a non-binary gender experience? Or is Robin possibly a trans boy? Whichever way, a lovely short film that many of us can relate to.
You can read Ivan Coyote's original short story, describing their childhood experience, here.
Entry last updated:
8 Feb 2026