Speak.

Speak.

27th TIDF: International Premiere
Speak. takes us into a world where words have power and rhetoric is the key to unlocking it. We follow five talented teenage debaters as they prepare for the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) Tournament, facing tough challenges -from budget cuts in education to censorship that threatens to silence their voices. The film captures their exciting journey, from the euphoria of victory to the disappointment of defeat, while also highlighting the struggle of coaches and families to keep school speech programs alive. Beginning with the 2023 NSDA Championship, we meet the gifted young debaters: Nour, Noah, Sam, Mfaz, and Esther, a two-time national champion. We follow their path to the 2024 Championship, with Esther aiming to break the historic record set in 1999 by the executive producer of Speak., Josh Gad. Speak. captures the passion, joy-and courage of unforgettable teens using their voices to change hearts and minds. This film is the perfect antidote for these fraught times-intense, funny, and most of all, hopeful.
Screening Schedule

No physical screenings scheduled.
Direction: Jennifer Tiexiera, co-director: Guy Mossman
Cinematography: Guy Mossman
Editing: Delaney Lynch, Jennifer Tiexiera
Music: Osei Essed
Production: Vox Pop Films
Producers: Pamela Griner, Guy Mossman, Jennifer Tiexiera
Executive producer: Josh Gad, Simon Kilmurry, Lisa Hepner, Christoph Baaden, Abby Ellin, Joseph Wolfe, Polly Wolfe, Schultz Family Foundation, Hallee Adelman , Dawn Bonder , Daniel J. Chalfen, Marci Wiseman, Toby Nalbandian , Greg Schmidt, Sean Bradley, Lauren Lexton, Jenny Warburg, Jamie Wolf, Nathalie Seaver, J. Todd Harris, Melony Lewis, Adam Lewis, Andrea van Beuren
Format: DCP
Color: Color
Production Country: USA
Production Year: 2025
Duration: 103'
Contact: The Film Collaborative
Suitable for kids over the age of 14.

Jennifer Tiexiera

Filmography

2020 P.S. Burn This Letter Please (co-direction)
2022 Subject (co-direction)
2025 Speak. (co-direction)

co-director: Guy Mossman

Filmography

2022 The Human Trial (co-direction)
2025 Speak. (co-direction)