‘Speak’ Directors on Making Doc About Teenage Orators: ‘I Thought This Would Be the Most Entertaining Way to Help Make Education and Empathy Great Again’

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Jennifer Tiexiera and Guy Mossman’s documentary “Speak” chronicles the journey of five ambitious American high school students who aspire to triumph at the National Speech & Debate Association Nationals, often referred to as the Super Bowl of public speaking.

The diverse group of student orators consists of Noor, Noah, Sam, Mfaz, and Esther, who have been crowned the national champions in Oratory for two consecutive years. The documentary weaves together elements from each teenager’s personal experiences as well as their individual preparations for the 2024 NSDA Nationals.

Every individual involved in the movie is not just verbally skilled, but also deeply concerned about global matters. They focus on controversial political and social issues as their chosen subjects to address. The documentary was first shown at the Sundance Film Festival in January. EbMaster’s film critic, Murtada Elfadl, stated that “Speak” is “stirringly engaging and accessible, resembling the non-fiction counterpart of ‘Bend It Like Beckham,’ or ‘A League of Their Own.’

Under the executive production of Josh Gad, the movie titled “Speak” has been showcased in various film festivals for the past five months. More recently, it was screened at the 27th edition of the Sarasota Film Festival.

EbMaster engaged in a discussion with Tiexiera and Mossman regarding locating the film’s characters, the rationale behind creating the documentary, and their aspirations for its distribution.

How did you discover competitive speech, and did you know right away that you wanted to make a doc about it?

In the year 2019, I entered the realm of competitive speaking. Frustrated by the constant presence of cranky elderly men dictating political discussions on television, I found solace in these brilliant young individuals competing. I felt compelled to share their insights with the world, hoping they would expose the shortcomings of established politicians. Ideally, a government where dialogue is valued and legislators are well-informed would emerge. Regrettably, many of our leaders have strayed from this path, but these youths can serve as a reminder of our potential. Overwhelmed by this conviction, I felt compelled to create a film, series, or whatever this project was meant to transform into.

How did you determine which teens to follow?

Tiexiera: The casting process was extensive, with the National Speech & Debate Association assisting us right from the start. They provided a list of over 400 children who would be attending Nationals in 2024. Over the course of six months, we gradually reduced this list from 100 to 60, then to 30, and finally to 12, eventually settling on our final five candidates.

The casting process was thorough, having the National Speech & Debate Association as a partner since the beginning. They gave us a list of over 400 children who would be attending Nationals in 2024. Over six months, we progressively narrowed down this list from 100 to 60, then to 30, and finally to 12, ultimately selecting our final five candidates.

In our documentary, unlike others in the competition genre: We chose to delve deeper into our participants’ personal lives, spending extensive time off-camera with them. This allowed us to breathe life into their “heartfelt tales” as they spoke. The process was laborious and detailed, but with a dedicated team on board, each interview with a speech contestant proved captivating.

Why did you want to make this film?

Recently, I completed my HBO series titled “Unveiled,” which chronicled the lives of survivors from La Luz del Mundo. This project was incredibly personal to me as I empathized deeply with their struggles of facing abuse and the trial of the institution and its leader. During this time, I attended therapy sessions two to three times a week due to the emotional toll it took on me. In search of something uplifting for my next venture, I received a video featuring Esther delivering her award-winning speech in 2023. I was astonished by her maturity at only 16 years old, and instantly became fascinated.

Previously, I was a dedicated educator, but now I’ve transitioned into the role of a documentary cinematographer and filmmaker. I believed that by using an engaging approach, I could contribute significantly to enhancing the quality of education and fostering empathy once more.

What are you hoping audiences take away from the film?

As a Cinema Enthusiast: One pivotal moment that resonated deeply for me in the movie comes when Esther delivers a profound statement about the value of empathy and understanding. She shares, “Throughout my career in speech and debate, I’ve been in rooms filled with hundreds of students. While not always in agreement with their viewpoints, I’ve learned to appreciate their perspectives, for these diverse paths lead them to their conclusions.” This sentiment strikes a chord within me.

It would be fantastic if parents and education supporters pushed for programs similar to this to be accessible in schools nationwide. With the Department of Education being dismantled and research grants dwindling, we hope that this film will ignite action and encourage people to reach out to their elected officials with their concerns.

Have you found a distributor?

Since Sundance, progress has been slow for many of us, but with the help of festival showings and an intensive outreach effort that includes screenings at high schools and universities, we are confident we can bring this film to audiences.

For most documentaries being released today, the $1.5 million question is how to gain attention. We’re optimistic that if our movie gathers some recognition and wins awards on the festival circuit, it will make a difference in attracting distributors.

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2025-04-15 21:18