Expired September 28, 2020 3:00 AM
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This film is eligible for the 2020 Crested Butte Film Festival Audience Choice Award! (You must unlock the film to be eligible to cast your vote)

This program will only be available on Sunday September 27 from 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM MST (with a 4 hour “Watch Window”)





Go Beyond the Screen

This guide has been designed to facilitate high level discussions about the Boys State Documentary. This discussion guide has been divided into nine (9) reoccurring themes from the documentary:

  1. Democracy
  2. Civil Engagement 
  3. Civil Discourse 
  4. Empathy
  5. Character Vs. Personality
  6. Hope, Fear, and Determination 
  7. Honoring Those Who Came Before 
  8. Race & Politics
  9. Gender, Masculinity, & Identity 


Under each theme, the following materials have been provided:

  • Historic Quote
  • Summary
  • Quote from Documentary
  • Discussion Questions


A video version of the discussion guide fill follow the film or you may download BOYS STATE DISCUSSION GUIDE here

The sensational winner of the Grand Jury Prize for documentary at this year’s Sundance Film Festival is a wildly entertaining and continually revealing immersion into a week-long annual program in which a thousand Texas high school seniors gather for an elaborate mock exercise: building their own state government.


Filmmakers Jesse Moss and Amanda McBaine closely track the escalating tensions that arise within a particularly riveting gubernatorial race, training their cameras on unforgettable teenagers like Ben, a Reagan-loving arch-conservative who brims with confidence despite personal setbacks, and Steven, a progressive-minded child of Mexican immigrants who stands by his convictions amidst the sea of red.


In the process, they have created a complex portrait of contemporary American masculinity, as well as a microcosm of our often dispiriting national political divisions that nevertheless manages to plant seeds of hope.


This film has been generously sponsored by Emily and Bob Pannier; and the Rothman family.


  • Year
    2020
  • Runtime
    109 minutes
  • Country
    United States
  • Director
    Amanda McBaine and Jesse Moss