A Brony Tale, A Documentary About the Adult Men Who Love the Animated Series ‘My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic’

A Brony Tale is a documentary by director Brent Hodge about the adult men who love Hasbro Studios‘ animated series My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. The documentary, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in April 2014, follows Canadian voice actress Ashleigh Ball on her journey to give the Brony community a chance to explain why they are so obsessed with a show that was intended for kids ages 2 to 11. Ball has been the voice of numerous characters from the beloved series.

When she was hired as the voice of Apple Jack and Rainbow Dash on the 4th generation installment of Hasbro’s ‘My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic’ series, Ashleigh Ball had no idea she was about to become an internet phenomenon and voice celebrity among a very unique type of fan, the Bronies. Bronies, or ‘Bro’ Ponies’, are a subculture of adult men who are fans of the show ‘My Little Pony.’ It is a craze that has taken the United States by storm – but how does this fit with a culture that has told these boys how to act since childhood: Lego, not Barbies! Play soldiers, not fairies! Why are so many men embracing this? Are these men just abnormal; or is there something more? When Ashleigh wraps Season 3 of the show she receives an invite from the Brony community to attend BroNYCon (The Brony Convention in New York City). Initially wary of accepting the invitation Ashleigh begins to learn that there is more to this community than meets the eye.

image via A Brony Tale, Hodgee Films

via Coudal Partners