Girls State

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1:48

Girls State

2024

1h 36m

Documentary

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

95%

Tomatometer

63 Reviews

68%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

A look at what American democracy would look like in the hands of teenage girls. Young female leaders from wildly different backgrounds navigate an immersive experiment to build a government from the ground up.

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Critics Consensus

Girls State continues the conversation started with Boys State, finding further cause for hope and concern as a new generation prepares for public service.

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Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya

Autostraddle

Girls State isn’t quite the explosive takedown and critique of the program that it could be, but it does explore the program's limitations cogently...

Apr 22, 2024

Full Review

Craig Mathieson

The Age (Australia)

The politics lean conservative, but the transformations that occur go beyond ideology.

Apr 18, 2024

Full Review

Peter Rainer

FilmWeek (LAist)

I wish there had been a little bit more of the get-togethers so we could hear them talk a little more informally, but it's a fascinating movie.

Apr 17, 2024

Full Review

Jessica Gonzales

Geek Vibes Nation

Girls State is a well-constructed and thought-provoking documentary that shows that girls are not only interested in learning about how their government works but are eager to take an active part in it.

Rated: 9/10

Jul 17, 2025

Full Review

Jack Walters

Loud and Clear Reviews

"Girls State is an empowering and timely documentary that uses the Girls State program to discuss society’s most pressing political issues."

Rated: 4/5

Jan 18, 2025

Full Review

Louisa Moore

Screen Zealots

An inspiring documentary that shines a light on the future of American democracy through the eyes of ambitious, intelligent, and passionate young women.

Jan 4, 2025

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Alia A

This film did an excellent job of showcasing all the girls in the program, giving each of them a meaningful voice. I also appreciated how it highlighted the contradictions within the Girl State itself. While the goal was to empower girls and address gender inequities, the film revealed how the organization itself struggled with similar issues of inequality. This added a layer of complexity to the story, showing that even spaces meant to uplift women can sometimes perpetuate the very problems they aim to solve.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/12/24

Full Review

Jonah K

I found this doc to be interesting as wee see the film slowly change stories, from being about Girls State, to how Girls State differs from Boys State. Also an interesting program so cool to see how a camp like that actually works.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/10/24

Full Review

Brad O

The doc shows the thoughtfulness, social skills, and engagement of the girls in the process. I loved the profile of Ms. Worthmore and how she ran for Governor, exposed the systematic differences between the program (while learning some hard lessons herself about the programs), and won a scholarship. The political subject matter and their arguments are secondary to the engagement they showed by doing their best and being earnest in their approach.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/06/24

Full Review

Albert W

Interesting. Shows how the younger generation needs maturing and better education when it comes to certain moral issues (not surprising).

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/30/24

Full Review

Tom F

Like the earlier Boys State, it’s consistently interesting but never really pops.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

05/11/24

Full Review

Melissa B

Ready to get mad?? The documentarians did a great job of centering the girls involved in Girls State while also pointing out blatant discrepancies in the program. The girls in the film were excellent. I'm mostly infuriated at the system they were operating within.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/25/24

Full Review

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Amanda McBaine

Director

Jesse Moss

Director

Amanda McBaine

Producer

Jesse Moss

Producer

Nicole Stott

Executive Producer

Jonathan Silberberg

Executive Producer

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Girls State: Trailer

1:48

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Synopsis

A look at what American democracy would look like in the hands of teenage girls. Young female leaders from wildly different backgrounds navigate an immersive experiment to build a government from the ground up.

Director: Amanda McBaine, Jesse Moss
Producer: Amanda McBaine, Jesse Moss
Distributor: Apple Original Films
Production Co: Concordia Studio, Mile End Films, Apple Original Films
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 5, 2024, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 5, 2024
Runtime: 1h 36m

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