Femininity (); is a 2019 Iranian feature documentary film written and directed by Mohsen Ostad Ali and produced by Ostad Ali and Alireza Alavian under the Sana Production banner. The film is set in Tehran's only night shelter for homeless women and follows five residents—Sanaz, Saeedeh, Tala, Ladan, and Behesht—as they struggle to rebuild their lives amid trauma, addiction, and social stigma. It has been described by critics as an intimate, humanistic portrayal of marginalized women in Iran, focusing on resilience and solidarity.
Synopsis Femininity takes place in a women's night shelter in southern Tehran, the only such center open to homeless women in the city. The film follows five women—Sanaz, Saeedeh, Tala, Ladan, and Behesht—each with a distinct story, but united by their shared space and desire for change. Through a raw, observational style, Ostad Ali explores their attempts to overcome past abuse, drug addiction, and social exclusion, revealing moments of empathy and quiet transformation.
Production The documentary was written, directed, and produced by Sana Production. Cinematography was by Farhad Talebinezhad, editing by Babak Heidari, and the original score composed by Sattar Oraki. Sound mixing was handled by Alireza Alavian. International distribution is managed by Raft Films.
Festivals and awards Femininity premiered at the Cinéma Vérité in Tehran in December 2019, where it won the Special Jury Prize. It later screened at several international festivals, including:
Festival Year Country Category / Award Recipient(s) Result Cinéma Vérité 2019 Iran Special Jury Prize Mohsen Ostad AliSalerno Film Festival2021ItalyBest DocumentaryMohsen Ostad AliKolkata International Film Festival2022IndiaGolden Royal Bengal Tiger Award – Best FilmMohsen Ostad AliLife After Oil International Film Festival2022ItalyValentina Pedicini Award – Best Human Rights FeatureMohsen Ostad AliRegards d’Iran Festival 2023FranceSilver Jury PrizeMohsen Ostad Ali
Reception Festival catalogs and international reviewers praised the film for its empathetic treatment of marginalized subjects and minimalist visual style. Asian Movie Pulse highlighted its “humanistic power and quiet emotional rhythm,” while Iranian critics cited it as one of the most significant independent documentaries of the decade.
References
External links
Official page at Raft Films Femininity on film-documentaire.fr KIFF program listing Life After Oil award list – Asian Movie Pulse