Boys State

Boys State plucks you into the muscular, unruly rite of passage that is the Texas American Legion's Boys State. About 1,100 high school juniors descend on a single campus to build a self governing system from the ground up, staging elections, drafting platforms, and crafting a constitution. The documentary follows a cross section of attendees as they campaign, debate, and maneuver through fierce real world style politics, weighing loyalty to friends against the fevered calculus of winning. Central voices include Steven Garza and Ben Feinstein as they press for different visions of democracy while the process tests their ideals and nerves. No spoilers about outcomes. Its intimate approach makes politics feel personal and urgent.

Directed by Amanda McBaine and Jesse Moss, Boys State follows Texas teens as they attempt to craft a functioning mock government from scratch. It debuted at Sundance 2020 and later found streaming life, introducing audiences to a real world experiment.

The film sparked conversations about civic participation and political polarization, spotlighting Steven Garza's inclusive platform and Ben Feinstein's more combative approach. Moments of debate, strategy meetings, and personal revelations resonated beyond classrooms, turning Boys State into a touchstone for how young people imagine American democracy and power.

Critics praised its unflinching yet empathetic portrait, showing how it avoids easy heroism or villainy while mapping the tug of idealism, faction, and self interest. The documentary treats democracy as messy, showing how persuasion, peer pressure, and media noise shape teens' choices and identities without cynicism.

Awards: At Sundance 2020 it earned the U.S. Documentary Grand Jury Prize, signaling broad critical admiration. The film went on to become a talking point around youth engagement and documentary storytelling that captures real world politics with warmth, honesty, and without cynicism. Its impact extends to classroom discussions and debates.