Gayby Baby Premieres Riverside Theatre

"I don't think there is such a thing as a normal family," the Parramatta teenager said. "Really, every family decides what's normal for them."

Ebony is from one of the four families with same-sex parents featured in the documentary Gayby Baby.

The film made headlines last month when a screening at Burwood Girls High School was cancelled following a media report.

The Department of Education confirmed it had no complaints from parents and the controversy resulted in international support and interest in the film.

Ebony and the film's director Maya Newell spoke with the Sun about the messages which were lost in the media storm.

Ebony said she was more concerned by how people hijacked the conversation than she was about the cancelled screening.

Miss Newell said there was no "gay agenda" and the film itself was divorced from politics.

"I hope people will see it for what it it is — a film about gay parents," she said.

"It's not an advertisement for gay families because there's no such thing as a perfect family.

"In every family, parents will struggle and kids will get let down — yet there are higher expectations for gay parents."

Miss Newell grew up with same-sex parents, but in her formative years there was no debate around rights and equality.

"When I was young there weren't movies or images of diverse families," she said.

"Part of the reason I made this film was because I know seeing your type of family on screen was a [way] for kids to feel validation."

When asked what their definition of family was, Miss Newell said she liked to quote Ebony.

"When I asked Ebony, when she was 12, what family meant for her, she put it perfectly," Miss Newell said.

"She said people who make you who you are is your family."

Gayby Baby will make its western Sydney premiere at the Parramatta Riverside Theatres as part of the Indie Gems Festival on September 12.

Details, bookings: Click here.

See our preview for the Indie Gems Festival here.