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Girlhood (Bande de filles, Gang of Girls) is a 2014 French drama film directed by Céline Sciamma who stars Karidja Toure. It is a coming of age film that focuses on the life of Marieme (Karidja Toure) who lives in a rough neighborhood right outside of Paris Throughout the film issues surrounding race, gender and class are frequently brought up and challenged. Sciamma's goal through writing and directing Girlhood was to capture the stories of characters, generally in French films, who are commonly untold and understood, specifically black teenagers It was screened as part of the Directors' Fortnight section of the 2014 Cannes Film Festival. It was also screened in the Contemporary World Cinema section at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival. It received four nominations at the 40th César Awards, including Best Director for Céline Sciamma and Most Promising Actress for Karidja Touré.

Director: Celine Sciamma
Celine Sciamma, a French screenwriter and film director, was raised in Cergy-Pontoise. She has directed many other films including Water Lilies and Tomboy. Water Lilies was her first film and debuted at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival, and was nominated for the 2008 Cesar Award for Best Debut. Girlhood is her last coming of age film and her goal was to focus on friendship, sorority, and the special bond that is formed between girls. Sciamma is frequently asked why she wrote and directed a film about a gang of young African American girls, seeing that she is white. Celine stated, "I had a strong sense of having lived on the outskirts-even if I am middle-class white girl. I didn't feel I was making the film about black women but with black women-it's not the same.  I'm not saying, 'I'm going to tell you what it's like being black in France today'; I just want to give a face to the French youth I'm looking at".