Girl Boxer

Short Doc · NYT Op-Docs

Girl Boxer

World premiere at The New York Times Op-Docs, 2017

Jesselyn “JessZilla” Silva is ten years old and entirely serious about boxing. She trains like someone who intends to turn professional, because she does.

Her father Pedro is caught in the middle of it, proud of her and quietly worried about where the sport takes her next.

This is the film that started an eight-year relationship with the Silvas, and it became the feature.

Awards & Selections

  • Ruth Landfield Award, Fargo Film Festival, 2018
  • Best Documentary Short, Honorable Mention, Fargo Film Festival, 2018