If You Can Make It Here
Synopsis
Kingsley, Kevin, and Hailey are three ambitious eighth graders preparing for a single exam that could determine their futures. They’re competing for admission to New York City’s Specialized High Schools, elite public institutions that have produced Nobel Prize laureates, astronauts, judges, artists, and national leaders. But as the kids await their test results, a citywide battle is raging over who should attend these schools—the kids who score highest on the entrance exam or the kids who improve diversity. Featuring interviews with kids, parents, and education leaders, If You Can Make It Here places young students at the center of a high-stakes cultural conflict over the future of equity and excellence in public education.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
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If You Can Make It Here - Official Trailer
Type: Trailer • Published 2026-01-27
Top Cast
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Financials & Box Office Performance
Production Budget
$450K
Filming & production cost
Worldwide Gross
Pending
Total global ticket sales
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Jaclyn Boudreau, Joseph Kast
- Screenplay & Story
- Jaclyn Boudreau, Joseph Kast
- Original Title
- If You Can Make It Here
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 59m
- Production Budget
- $450K
- Production Studios
- Pacific Legal Foundation
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Jaclyn Boudreau, Joseph Kast
Jaclyn Boudreau, Joseph Kast
Derek Schmitt
Benjamin Crain
Grant Brown, Jaclyn Boudreau, Scott Barton, Joshua Thompson
Department Leadership Roster
Jaclyn Boudreau
Director
Joseph Kast
Director
Jaclyn Boudreau
Writer
Joseph Kast
Writer
Grant Brown
Producer
Derek Schmitt
Director of Photography
Benjamin Crain
Editor
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
NR: Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
International Certification Matrix
Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for If You Can Make It Here.
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Frequently Asked Questions About If You Can Make It Here
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is If You Can Make It Here about?
Kingsley, Kevin, and Hailey are three ambitious eighth graders preparing for a single exam that could determine their futures. They’re competing for admission to New York City’s Specialized High Schools, elite public institutions that have produced Nobel Prize laureates, astronauts, judges, artists, and national leaders. But as the kids await their test results, a citywide battle is raging over who should attend these schools—the kids who score highest on the entrance exam or the kids who improve diversity. Featuring interviews with kids, parents, and education leaders, If You Can Make It Here places young students at the center of a high-stakes cultural conflict over the future of equity and excellence in public education.
Who directed If You Can Make It Here?
If You Can Make It Here was directed by Jaclyn Boudreau, Joseph Kast.
Who stars in If You Can Make It Here?
The principal cast of If You Can Make It Here includes Wai Wah Chin, Michael Benjamin, Freddie DeBoer, John McWhorter, Lisa Greenwald.
When was If You Can Make It Here released and how long is it?
If You Can Make It Here was released in 2026 with a total runtime of 59m.
What is the age rating and content advisory for If You Can Make It Here?
If You Can Make It Here holds official age classifications: US: NR (Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.).