All American Girls
If you’ve ever pined for an American Girl doll or its tiny, perfect accessories, this documentary is right in your dollhouse. Director Christy Wegener (I Am Vanessa Guillen) pulls back the meticulously crafted curtain on the venture that quietly began as Pleasant Company and vaulted into the multimillion-dollar empire known as American Girl®. Featuring an exclusive interview with founder Pleasant Rowland, along with archival footage and insights from original staffers and diehard fans, this energetic deep dive examines the feminist and academic framework behind the characters and the triumphs and controversies that shaped the booming business. Get the backstory on how Rowland dreamed up the historical dolls and their intricate worlds. Meet the adults who keep aflame the passion that defined their childhoods in the ‘80s, ‘90s, and early 2000s. And revel in feisty memes and multimedia artwork that illuminate the brand’s unparalleled influence and ongoing cultural relevance. —D. Quinones
Director/s
Christy Wegener
Christy Wegener is the founder of Conduit Films, which includes a team of filmmakers developing and overseeing projects that tackle complex, big-issue subject matter and character-driven stories with cultural resonance. She made her feature debut with I Am Vanessa Guillen (2022), nominated for a News & Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Investigative Documentary, Wegener directed the notable short documentary, Climate, which debuted on 100-foot screens in New York’s Times Square as part of the Holoscenes project. She directed a short-documentary exploring the benefits and dangers of Artificial Intelligence, A.I., debuting in New York at the World Science Festival.
Expected Guests
CHRISTY WEGENER: Director
ANDREA BERMAN: Producer