Girls State
Girls State
6.695%67%
Follows 500 adolescent girls from all across Missouri as they come together for a week-long immersion in a sophisticated democratic laboratory, where they organize a Supreme Court to consider the most contentious issues of the day.
Kevin Ward reviewedJuly 2, 2025
Have been really looking forward to this from the moment it was announced. I loved Moss and McBaine’s Boys State and was eager to see if this companion piece would live up—and it does. Almost immediately there were noticeable differences between how the boys and girls programs are run. The boys program was rigorous and thrusts into the politicking almost immediately. The girls program had a strict dress code, allowed for much more down time and took what seemed like a very long time before there was any emphasis on policy discussions. Honestly, it was pretty maddening to see the differences. This was a notable year for this particular conference, though, because for the first time ever, the Boys State and Girls State programs would be held concurrently on the same campus, which invites comparisons of the two programs—even amongst the participants. I was thankful that the disparities between the boys and girls programs was at least addressed.
This was also a notable year to film, because right as the week began the draft of the Supreme Court majority decision to overturn Roe v Wade was leaked. It was a lightening rod for policy discussion in this environment and it was fascinating to get a glimpse into the participants reaction to the news.
Above all else, though, Moss and McBaine, just know how to weave a great story thread. Hundreds of people to choose from and each person they spotlight is as compelling as the last. Favorites were probably Brooke and Nisha, two fast friends that were pitted against each other in their Supreme Court appointments.
Highly recommend both Boys State and Girls State documentaries. It really feels like a glimpse into the potential futures of our democracy.