Creative ambition and uncertainty sit at the heart of Mile End Kicks, a coming-of-age portrait that captures the restless energy of your twenties with unusual honesty. Writer-director Chandler Levack draws from her own experiences as a young music journalist, shaping a semi-autobiographical story that feels grounded and personal rather than polished or idealized.

Set in Montreal during the summer of 2011, the film follows Grace Pine, a 23-year-old music critic who leaves Toronto with the goal of writing a book about Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill. Instead of settling into disciplined writing routines, Grace finds herself immersed in the city’s indie rock scene — a vibrant environment where personal and professional boundaries quickly blur.

Grace is played by Barbie Ferreira in a performance that balances awkward comedy with emotional vulnerability. Ferreira captures the contradictions of someone who is both driven and unsure of herself — someone eager to succeed but still learning how to define success on her own terms. The character’s journey unfolds through a series of encounters: a supportive but complicated roommate, a lingering influence from a former editor, and a romantic entanglement with two members of an up-and-coming band.

Levack’s direction is especially attentive to the textures of everyday creative life. Record stores, cramped apartments, rooftop gatherings, and messy rehearsal spaces all feel authentically lived in, grounding the film in a tangible sense of time and place. Montreal’s Mile End neighborhood becomes more than just a setting — it feels like a character in its own right, reflecting both the excitement and uncertainty of artistic ambition.

What makes Mile End Kicks particularly compelling is its willingness to embrace imperfection. Grace isn’t always likable or decisive, and the film never tries to smooth out those rough edges. Instead, Levack allows the story to explore questions about self-worth, creative identity, and the complicated relationship between personal validation and professional success.

The film carries a loose, natural rhythm that mirrors the unpredictability of early adulthood. Moments of sharp humor sit comfortably beside scenes of vulnerability, creating a tone that feels both playful and sincere. Levack has a gift for capturing characters who are flawed yet recognizable, inviting us to see parts of ourselves in their struggles and small victories.

Mile End Kicks will be screened as part of OFFA’s International Women’s Day 2026 celebration on March 1st at Film.Ca Cinemas, alongside live music performances and a post-screening discussion. The event highlights women’s creative voices across film and music, making Levack’s personal and artist-centered story a fitting centerpiece. More information about the event can be found at OFFA.

At its heart, Mile End Kicks is about the messy process of figuring out who you are while chasing the life you imagine for yourself. For anyone who has ever moved to a new city with big creative plans — only to get distracted by everything else life throws in the way — Grace’s story will feel deeply familiar.

Levack’s film reminds us that growth rarely happens in straight lines. Sometimes it takes a few wrong turns, a few unfinished projects, and a few questionable crushes before you find your way forward.

And sometimes, all it takes is one city, one summer, and one song to change everything.