Speak is a character-driven documentary that tracks the high-stakes world of competitive high school speech. The film chronicles the journey of five diverse students—Noor, Noah, Sam, Mfaz, and two-time reigning champion Esther—as they craft deeply personal, ten-minute original oratories. Their ultimate goal is the NSDA Nationals, the “Super Bowl of public speaking,” where Esther aims to secure a historic “three-peat,” challenging a record currently held by the film’s Executive Producer, Josh Gad.
The documentary balances the intense pressure of competition with the everyday realities of being a teenager in the 2020s—navigating prom, college rejections, TikTok fame, and Taylor Swift concerts. Simultaneously, it highlights the external threats facing these programs, including budget cuts, censorship, and the polarized political climate of the 2024 election year.
Preceded by the short film Marea
Marea follows three trailblazing women in El Salvador; surfer Sindy Portillo, activist Suri Berrara, and artist Andrea Magaña, who are harnessing the power of sport, art, and sisterhood to challenge cultural expectations and empower the next generation. A testament to courage and community, the film celebrates the unstoppable force of women rising together to reshape what is possible.
Q&A following with representatives from Half Moon Bay High School and Coastpride
Live music by Sunny Hibbits from 11:45 -12:30, come early to enjoy! Live music by Mike McCall after the screenings as well!
Jennifer Tiexiera, Co-Director, is an award-winning documentary director, editor, and producer dedicated to sharing underrepresented stories. Her recent work includes directing the acclaimed P.S. Burn This Letter Please and producing Sirens, which premiered at Sundance. She is also a co-founder of Lady & Bird Films.
Guy Mossman, Co-Director, is a veteran director and cinematographer with over two decades of experience in documentary filmmaking. Known for his stunning visual work on films like Buck, he recently co-directed The Human Trial and often focuses his lens on complex social issues and deeply personal character studies.