Adolescence never gets old. The Young Americans section at the 16th AFF
There are so many people around, yet I still feel lonely. Or: there are so many groups, but I don’t fit into any of them. Trivial? We’d say quite the opposite. These are feelings that never get old, following us from adolescence into adulthood—questions of self-acceptance and belonging that continue to echo throughout our lives.
At the American Film Festival, we know the power of community—especially the one that forms when we watch and talk about cinema together. That’s why, no matter your age, we invite you to explore the Young Americans section: a lineup of unforgettable coming-of-age stories that will stay with you long after the lights come up.
As its name suggests, Young Americans is one of the festival’s youngest sections, showcasing the latest and most captivating portraits of growing up—stories of first loves and first disappointments, of capturing the spirit of the moment, and of looking back at what it meant to come of age decades ago (this time, we’ll travel to the turn of the 1970s and 1980s). This year's selection features four outstanding titles: Lemonade Blessing—a devilishly sharp satire on religious upbringing in the United States (and a portrait of the hell that is being a teenager); Rocket Girl—a story about the urge to break free (literally) and find a female voice in the male-dominated world of space exploration; Olmo—the aforementioned journey to the turn of the 1970s and 1980s, balancing friendship, fun, and family responsibility; The Plague—where a seemingly innocent summer-camp joke turns into a full-blown nightmare for one of the kids.
We encourage you to make a mature decision today: passes are almost gone, so don’t wait—treat yourself to an unforgettable festival experience in Wrocław.
The Young Americans section is presented in partnership with Portal Immersja — follow their American Film Festival coverage for festival interviews, recommendations, reviews, and other special features.
Lemonade Blessing, dir. Chris Merola
Living with his devout mother, John (Jake Ryan – the sensational Woodrow from Asteroid City) feels caught between the urges of his horny classmates and the rigid commandments of his Catholic school. Then he meets Lilith, a kindred spirit who slowly lets him into her world—on one condition: he must commit a few acts of sacrilege. To start, she dares him to say, “F*ck Jesus.”
Rocket Girl, dir. Agnes Swiercz
The spectacular footage shot during rocket launches in the Mojave Desert, which opens Agnes Swiercz's debut documentary, allows us to momentarily lift off from the ground and better understand the film's protagonist. Sixteen-year-old Eleni is passionate about technology and space, and her goal is to win a competition for the best rocket model.
Olmo, dir. Fernando Eimbcke
1979. Fourteen-year-old Olmo lives with his parents and sister in a small New Mexico town. His father is ill and needs constant care, so while his mother works, Olmo must stay home and look after him. The boy resents the burden—especially after Nina, his new neighbor and secret crush, invites him to a party. How can he balance family duty with the pull of first love and disco lights?
The Plaque, dir. Charlie Polinger
Summer, 2003. At a water polo camp, 12-year-old Ben struggles to find his place among his teammates. A seemingly childish joke that Ben is “carrying the plague” turns into a spiral of unforeseen events. A penetratingly powerful story, but seasoned with black humor.
The 16th American Film Festival will take place from November 6 to 11, 2025, traditionally at the New Horizons Cinema in Wrocław. The full program will be announced on October 21, with ticket and online access sales starting October 23 at noon.
