In Today I Found Out a 14-year old named Samantha tries to make sense of the world around her when she learns her best friend is pregnant. In the film, Samantha explores her thoughts about her choices, her future and what others expect of her. This is a documentary film, so you get to meet the real-life Samantha and her community.

This 10-minute Scenarios USA film was adapted from a personal essay by 14-year old Samantha Hernandez about living in Laredo, Texas, a U.S. border town with a high rate of teen pregnancy.

Today I Found Out was directed by Griffin Dunne (Practical Magic) and shot by William Rexer (Lisa Picard is Famous) on the Texas/Mexico border town of Laredo. Music by Grupo Fantasma of Laredo, Texas.

The director, Griffin Dunne, met with a group of teenage mothers in Samantha’s hometown in preparation for the film. The girls shared private stories of how they got pregnant and what their lives are like as mothers. They wanted to let Griffin and Samantha know that they’re no different from other teenagers and that they have dreams and aspirations just as all other youth do. All of the girls were still in high school.
 
Dunne’s meeting with the teen mothers reinforced the idea that, while it is important to encourage teens to avoiding getting pregnant, it is also important not to condemn those who do get pregnant. Both Griffin and Samantha felt the film should not discriminate against girls who choose to have a baby. Moved by the courage of the teen mothers, Griffin included the teenage mothers and their stories in the film.