🎬First Girl I Loved

Anne is a seventeen-year-old high school student who covers the school's softball games for the yearbook. During a game, she becomes captivated by Sasha, the star player of the girls' softball team and one of the most popular girls in school. When Anne musters the courage to interview Sasha, an unexpected mutual spark ignites between them, blossoming into a secret, intimate romance. Overjoyed by her newfound feelings, Anne confides in her lifelong best friend, Clifton, who has secretly harbored romantic feelings for her. Consumed by jealousy and heartbreak, Clifton acts out, setting off a chain reaction of social rumors and institutional pressure that threatens to destroy Anne and Sasha's fragile new relationship and pull their lives apart.

⭐ Film Evaluation & Ratings 📈

🟡 IMDb Rating: 6.2 / 10

🍅 Rotten Tomatoes: 91% (Critics) | 68% (Audience)

🗣️ Critical Consensus: Written and directed by Kerem Sanga, First Girl I Loved is an authentic, emotionally grounded coming-of-age drama. Driven by standout performances from Dylan Gelula and Brianna Hildebrand, the film avoids typical teen movie clichés, delivering a sensitive, tender, and often heartbreaking look at first love, jealousy, and the painful social realities of high school adolescence.

💡 Did You Know?

Sundance Festival Winner: The film premiered at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival in the NEXT section, where it won the prestigious NEXT Audience Award.

Breakout Performances: Lead actress Dylan Gelula earned widespread critical praise for her nuanced portrayal of Anne, which launched her into prominent roles in acclaimed indie cinema (Support the Girls, Shithouse).

Recommendations

Similar Titles: Pariah, Booksmart, The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love.