In this poetic coming-of-age short drama, Dembe struggles against Ugandan attitudes toward gender and identity as she comes out to her mother as transgender and navigates her identity in a society opposed to it.

Directors Statement

In 2009 Uganda proposed an anti-homosexuality bill that not only made “aggravated homosexuality” illegal and punishable by death, but also made it illegal to “recognize” or “promote” homosexuality in any way. Thankfully, the bill was nullified, but LGBTQ+ individuals are far from safe.
Trans stories are human stories and they need to be heard. I hope people see Dembe and believe she should be protected, listened to, and valued – and that they reflect that mentality in their own communities.