Skip to main content

Deep Dive: I Am Eleven (2011)

Film Lens

I Am Eleven
I Am Eleven is a 2011 Australian documentary directed by Genevieve Bailey and Henrik Nordstrom, focusing on the lives of 11-year-olds across 15 countries, including Thailand, England, and India. The filmmakers traveled for six years to capture the experiences of children in diverse environments, comparing the film to the 7 Up documentary series. The film premiered at the 2011 Melbourne International Film Festival, where it won the People's Choice Award. The documentary features children from various cultural backgrounds, providing insight into their daily lives and perspectives. Bailey, inspired by her own childhood and personal challenges, began the project without funding, relying on her savings to continue filming. The film has received multiple awards, including the Outstanding Documentary Award at the Newport Beach Film Festival and the Audience Award at the São Paulo International Film Festival.

Why Watch

  • •Meet children from 15 different countries.
  • •See the impact of culture on childhood.
  • •Find out what 11-year-olds think today.

Did You Know

•The film was shot in 15 countries over six years.
•I Am Eleven premiered at the 2011 Melbourne International Film Festival.
•Bailey turned down funding to maintain ownership of the film.

Perfect For

Childhood perspectivesInternational culturesDocumentary enthusiasts