POV

Storytellers have long been attracted to coming-of-age stories — stories that describe the emergence from childhood, when identity is defined largely by others, into adulthood, when people claim the right to declare their own identities. This life stage is often rich with drama and has the potential to offer deep insights into the human condition. For many, this time between adolescence and adulthood can be confusing and difficult. The challenges of soul-searching and growth are magnified when one’s personal story includes multiple heritages.

Off and Running, a feature-length (76-minute) film, documents one such story. With white Jewish lesbians for parents and two adopted brothers — one mixed-race and one Korean — Brooklyn track star Avery grew up in a unique and loving household. But when, as a teenager, she becomes increasingly curious about her African-American roots, she decides to contact her birth mother. This choice propels Avery into a complicated exploration of race, identity and family that threatens to distance her from her parents. She starts skipping school and staying away from home, risking her shot at the college track career that had long been her dream. But when Avery decides to pick up the pieces of her life and make sense of her identity, the results are inspiring.

Off and Running follows Avery to the brink of adulthood, exploring the strength of family bonds and the lengths some people must go to become themselves.
As an outreach tool, the film personalizes the debate over transracial adoption and provides a compelling springboard for viewers to examine which facets of their own identities have played key roles in shaping who they are.

Download the Off and Running Discussion Guide (PDF)