The college admissions process is perhaps the most grueling, tiresome, and stressful period for high school students. At Lowell High School, a top-rated public school in San Francisco with a predominantly Asian American student population, the college application process is even more competitive and heavy. TRY HARDER! is a smart, heartwarming documentary that thoroughly navigates the desires and anxieties when it comes to education and career goals beyond high school. Director Debbie Lum manages to get raw and honest testimonies from Lowell’s students, examining how experience, race, and class all unfairly factor into unpredictable college admissions acceptance in the United States, and how bright, incredible students at schools like Lowell often feel like they aren’t good enough due to the stiff competition of college admissions. — Jenny Nulf, Programs Director

*Single-film ticket purchases begin June 4. Virtual film screenings are only available for Texas viewers.

DIRECTOR: Debbie Lum (Seeking Asian Female)

PRODUCERS: Nico Opper, Lou Nakasako

ASSOCIATE PRODUCER: Michelle Wang
CO-PRODUCER: Amy Ferraris

FIELD PRODUCER: Lauren Kawana

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Lou Nakasako, Kathy Huang

EDITORS: Andrew Gersh, Amy Ferraris

ADDITIONAL EDITING: Victoria Chalk

MUSIC: Diana Salier

ANIMATOR: Leah Nichols

LENGTH: 85 min

LANGUAGES: English and Mandarin with English subtitles

COUNTRY: U.S.

GENRE: Observational Documentary

ACCOLADES / FESTIVALS

2021 Sunday Film Festival

2021 Thin Line Film Festival

2021 Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival

2021 Sun Valley Film Festival

2021 Alexander Valley Film Festival

2021 San Diego Asian Film Festival Spring Showcase | Closing Night

2021 Doclands

2021 CAAMFest | Opening Night