Feeling ignored on an important day, a 12-year-old girl seeks attention from an unexpected source. Written and directed by Julia Kennelly, “Chandler,” is a tender yet frank coming-of-age drama about the awkwardness and swirling expectations of young girlhood. At gymnastics practice one day, Chandler gets her first period. She seeks the guidance of her older sister but can’t draw her attention away from Tyler, her new cool kid boyfriend. As the day wears on, Chandler attends to her new issue, while also becoming intrigued with Tyler herself. Finely crafted and perfectly cast, Kennelly’s film is expressive and nuanced, and, in its most powerful move, allows its young subject a claim at her own agency.

Written and directed by Julia Kennelly. Starring Zephyr Ingle, Christopher Dylan White, Dana Kreitz. Produced by Julia Kennelly, Karine Benzaria, and Will Mayo. Director of Photography: Daisy Zhou. Editor and Sound Designer: Will Mayo.