# Our Males and Females

Our Males and Females is a short film from Jordan directed by Ahmad Alyaseer. It was written by Rana Alyaseer and Ahmad Alyaseer and produced by Mais Salman and Ahmad Alyaseer. The film explores themes of gender identity, societal expectations, and the complexity of human relationships.
The film has won notable awards including Best Narrative Short film at the 54th Nashville Film Festival making it eligible for the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film.

## Plot

A set of parents are faced with the painful task of washing and shrouding their deceased transgender daughter. Shrouding is an Islamic religious practice that is deemed obligatory to carry out upon death. But when no one agrees to wash her and shame falls onto the family, how far is the father willing to go to make sure his "son" is washed?

## Cast

* Kamel El Basha as The Father
* Shafiqa Al Tal as The Mother
* Mutaz Al Labadi as The Male Washer
* Sna' Saleh as The Female Washer
* Tetiana Beras as The Daughter

## Release

Our Males and Females had its world premiere on January 19, 2023, at Slamdance Film Festival. A week after, it had its European premiere at Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival where it was part of the international competition. Following that, the film had a strong festival run and it was selected for 17 Oscar Qualifying Film Festivals.

## Reception

Our Males and Females has garnered widespread acclaim from film critics. It has been reviewed and rated by Brian Penn of UK Film Review, Bobby Lepire from Film Threat, Matt Fagerholm of RogerEbert and Steve Kopian of Unseen Films.
Despite its short duration, the film has attracted comments by several media and other film reviewers. The Film Verdict media stated that the film is a work of resounding emotion that extends beyond its microcosmic scenario.

## Production

The film was self-funded in Jordan by the director. The film was banned by censorship from many Arab countries.

## Awards

The film has officially been selected for 160 film festivals in around 47 countries and has received 124 awards, including:
| Year | Ceremony | Award/Category | Status |
| 2023 | Nashville Film Festival | Best Narrative Short | Won |
| 2023 | Odense International Film Festival | H. C. Andersen Award for Best Short Film | Nominated |
| 2023 | Palm Springs International ShortFest | Best Live Action Under 15 Minutes | Nominated |
| 2023 | Palm Springs International ShortFest | Best LGBTQ+ Short | Nominated |
| 2023 | Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival | Grand Prix | Nominated |
| 2023 | Oldenburg Film Festival | Jury Special Mention | Won |
| 2023 | Dallas International Film Festival | Audience Award for Best Short Film | Won |
| 2023 | Dallas International Film Festival | Jury Special Prize | Won |
| 2023 | Iris Prize | Iris Prize | Nominated |
| 2023 | Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia | George Lucas Award | Nominated |
| 2023 | La Guarimba International Film Festival | Best Fiction Short Film | Won |
| 2023 | Athens International Film and Video Festival | Best Narrative Short | Nominated |
| 2023 | Boston Short Film Festival | Best Narrative Short Film | Won |
| 2023 | Boston Short Film Festival | Best LGBTQ+ | Won |
| 2023 | Cleveland International Film Festival | Best Live Action Short Film | Nominated |
| 2023 | Florida Film Festival | Best Narrative Short | Nominated |
| 2023 | Slamdance Film Festival | Best Narrative Short | Nominated |
| 2023 | International Short Film Festival Psarokokalo | Best Film with Emphasis on Diversity | Won |
| 2023 | Tirana International Film Festival | Best Fiction Short Film | Nominated |
| 2023 | FEST New Directors/New Films Festival | Silver Lynx | Nominated |
| 2023 | Maremetraggio International ShorTS Film Festival | Audience Award | Won |
| 2023 | Indy Shorts International Film Festival | Narrative Short | Nominated |
| 2023 | Oslo/Fusion International Film Festival | Best Short Film | Won |
| 2023 | Regard: Saguenay International Short Film Festival | Parallel Competition | Nominated |
| 2023 | Regard: Saguenay International Short Film Festival | Short & Queer Award | Nominated |
| 2023 | BRUKIVKA International Film Festival | Jury Prize | Won |
| 2023 | BRUKIVKA International Film Festival | Union of the Ukrainian Film Critics Prize | Won |
| 2023 | Cordillera International Film Festival | Best of Festival - Short Film | Nominated |
| 2023 | Cordillera International Film Festival | Best Director Short Film | Nominated |
| 2023 | Cordillera International Film Festival | Best International Short Film | Nominated |
| 2023 | Cordillera International Film Festival | Best LGBTQIA+ Award | Won |