Whether it's the connection to our youth or the joy of finding oneself, there's something about a good coming-of-age story that hits all of us. This program is all about these types of stories, from young boys learning about gender norms to a girl dealing with her mixed culture in a largely white society to a young girl dealing with her parents' divorce. If you are looking for a film that hits all of that nostalgia of youth, Growing Pains is the program for you.

Two kids secretly plays wedding during a family dinner, but their game turns serious when they face their parents' prejudices.

The Blue Dress

Two kids secretly plays wedding during a family dinner, but their game turns serious when they face their parents' prejudices.

"When I first started elementary school in Israel as a new immigrant from New York, I entered a world that was foreign to me. I observed the unwritten rules and the status quo and followed them. Not long after the school year started I found "my people", the rest of the Americans. I became a leading member of the group and that was the world I stayed in. I did not try and change the norms that where there before I arrived. I fell in love with an Ethiopian boy with a shy smile, but I never dared to go near him. I ignored the feelings that I had developed towards him. Although I was a leader within my own group, I did not challenge the status quo and the unwritten rules. Living in the same town, studying in the same class, we were from different worlds. I let those social norms lead the way I lived my life. I am not sure what I missed out on, but I know I missed out. I regret the steps I never took. I regret conforming to the social norms and racism and letting it take over and determine how I would act and who I would be friends with.In this film I am trying to do what I didn’t have the courage to do back then, to stand up against the status quo and fight for what I know is right. To try and go back a time before I let people force me into believing that if we have a different skin color, we do not belong together.The boy I fell in love with I only knew from afar, I never allowed myself to get close enough to really get to know him. Childhood is a time for change, as little leaders we have the power to make a change before reality wears you down and the despair of being a grown up makes you believe you don't have the power to make a difference. Before we become so stuck in our ways and give in to the way things are.In this film I am trying to go back, and start all over." - Ruchama Ehrenhalt (Writer/Director)

Give It Back

Olivia just moved to Israel from New York. Throughout her first day of school in the 6th grade she tries to survive, navigating through the new country she just landed in, her new school and new peers, unsure where she will end up at the end of the day.

That day, Eloise storms out of the house. She sees Christophe, walks towards him, and asks him to give her a ride. In the car, she later tells him that she’s heading to her real father’s, whose existence she just learnt about…

Eloise Lou

Christophe often parks by the house of his 16 years old daughter, who doesn’t know him.

A bittersweet comedy about a fanciful and rebellious pre-teen who ends up accepting her parents' divorce after an unexpected encounter with her dad's male lover.

So long, Paris!

When a girl stays with her dad for the weekend, she has to come to terms with what she discovers about him.

North America

Growing Pains

Regular Price

Donation to Shenandoah Film Collaborative

Donate

These are all the passes tied to your account. Now, use our online schedule to reserve tickets. You can access your tickets via {{my_tickets_link|"My Tickets"}} or via the PDFs attached to each ticket order confirmation email. {{buy_pass_link|Looking to buy more passes?}}

$150 Supporter pass

Global film Ticket

None available

Passes

This annual event, usually hosted in Strasburg, VA, encourages filmmakers to submit their works of art so that all people can enjoy their creativity. All proceeds from the International Strasburg Film Festival go to the Shenandoah County Public School District.. 

Here's what's coming up soon. Can't make it? No sweat. Many live streams will be available for on-demand viewing as well.