5 Girls

5 Girls is a documentary released in 2001 by Kartemquin Films for PBS's P.O.V. series. The film follows five strong young women between the ages of 13 and 17. Unlike the myriad reports, books and "specials" that focus on young women as passive and powerless, 5 Girls explores the ways these girls discover the resources necessary to successfully navigate the rocky waters of adolescence. It focuses on the positive ways girls learn to adapt to challenge in their lives by understanding and exercising choices, by believing in their strength when others do not and by resisting powerful cultural messages, which urge them to be silent. Directed by Maria Finitzo, 5 Girls made its television premiere on PBS's P.O.V. on October 2, 2001. At the time of the film's release, The New York Times praised 5 Girls for its "intimacy and candor". Reminiscent of Michael Apted's classic Up! series, the film unfolds into a bold "sociological portrait" showing the transformation of each girl into a woman. In 2002, 5 Girls was awarded the Henry Hampton Award for Excellence in Film & Digital Media from the Council on Foundations. The film also took home The Silver Award from the Chicago Film & Television Competition. In September 2007, Kartemquin Films released 5 Girls on DVD.