NPS Communications’ Short Film “Tough For a Girl” Premieres at Norwalk Film Festival

Norwalk Public Schools premiered its first-ever original documentary at the Wall Street Theater on Saturday during the 2024 Norwalk Film Festival.

The film, "Tough for a Girl," won the Connecticut Documentary Short Audience Award.

Created by the NPS Communications Department and directed by Digital Media Specialist J.D. Freda, the documentary follows the story of three Norwalk female student-athletes competing and achieving in the traditionally male-dominated sport of wrestling. Weave in elements of building community, setting new standards and family legacy, and you have “Tough For a Girl,” which will be screened under the Best Connecticut Short Documentary category at this year’s Norwalk Film Fest.

The tone of the film is best set up by its opening lines:

“Everyone wants to win, but it's bigger than that. My goals were not only winning, but breaking barriers."

The film introduces the great successes of Gilchrist, her older cousin Maren and Norwalk High School wrestler Rylee Donohue. Beyond their great achievements on the wrestling mats and in sports in general, the three are keenly focused on bringing forth a new movement for female student-athletes and look to be role models for the next generation.

The film explores further themes of female empowerment through sport and equality in funding sports at the high school level.

NPS Communications wishes to thank the families and individuals involved in the creation of this documentary, including the Gilchrist, Santa Lucia, Donohue and Schad families. We also thank the athletic departments at Brien McMahon High School and Norwalk High School for your support.

Thank you to the organizers of the Norwalk Film Festival for allowing Norwalk Public Schools to be a part of your incredible event.

NPS Communications continues to evolve and experiment with new ways to tell the stories of NPS students, teachers and community. This mini documentary was one of the first forays into more detailed narrative storytelling in Norwalk Public Schools, and we look forward to telling more stories soon. 

These opportunities would not be possible without the inspiring vision of Superintendent Dr. Alexandra Estrella, and we thank her for her support and leadership.

[The film will be made available with Spanish subtitles soon.]