Speak

Speak

A film by Jennifer Tiexiera and Guy Mossman

SPEAK. follows five teenage orators competing at the National Speech & Debate Association Nationals, where a single speech can change everything. Over nine intense months, they face nerves, bias, and each other, while their coaches fight to keep programs alive amid budget cuts and book bans.

From Noor’s disability advocacy to Noah’s call for mental health awareness, Sam’s critique of political nostalgia, Mfaz’s challenge to Muslim stereotypes, and Esther’s pursuit of a record-breaking third title, each student brings a powerful voice to the stage.

Blending competition and coming-of-age, SPEAK. shows why speech and debate matter: building empathy, critical thinking, and the courage to be heard.

Watch trailer
Licensing Options

Director

Jennifer Tiexiera and Guy Mossman

Producer

Pamela Griner, Guy Mossman, and Jennifer Tiexiera

Runtime

104 Minutes

Rights Represented

Educational

Captions Available

English

Language

English

Press

“Cinematically eloquent… Speak is enough to give you hope for Generation Z.”

- THe Hollywood Reporter

“Crowd-pleasing entertainment in the vein of sports movies.”

- Variety

“Documentaries like this often live or die on the likeability of their subjects, and ‘Speak’ largely succeeds on that front.”

- IndieWire
Licensing Options
Watch trailer

Festival & Awards

Sundance Film Festival — World Premiere — Grand Jury Prize Nominee

Full Frame Documentary Film Festival — Kathleen Bryan Edwards Award for Human Rights — Winner

Shine Global Resilience Awards — Grand Jury Prize — Winner

Thin Line Film Festival — Best Feature Documentary Jury Award — Winner

Lost Weekend Film Festival — Best Documentary Feature Award — Winner

Cinema Columbus Film Festival — Documentary Feature Jury Award Honorable Mention

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Film Licensing

We distribute films globally but we only hold the rights in particular territories in some cases.

Letting us know what type of group you are will help us get you set up with the right type of license. If you do not fall squarely into one of these categories, select “individual” or contact us at screenings@rocofilms.com.

Unsure what you need?
Here are some basic definitions to help! Please visit our FAQs for further information.

  • In-person screening: This license includes the public performance rights required to host a screening for your group and a DVD copy of the film
  • Virtual screening: A link and code that are available for a single 72 hour period
  • Streaming subscriptions: Ongoing streaming access for an institution provided by our partner, Film Platform.  Please note it takes 3-5 business days to get your streaming access set up.  Questions about your set-up – contact setup@filmplatform.net.
  • DVD for classroom use: This is a DVD with permission to share in a classroom only
  • Custom and secure link and code to provide to event participants during designated screening period.
  • Option to receive registration information.

Includes Standard Setup Plus...

  • Custom screening page with your logo and event description
  • Option to add custom video introduction
  • Ability to add custom resources and ‘Calls to Action’
  • Access to participation and attendance analytics

Don’t worry, you can always change this date if needed!  Please note it takes 1 week to get a virtual screening room or streaming license set up.

Your Selection
Speak

Now more than ever.

Cost $0.00