Award Winning documentary about Russell’s Garden Center, showing at West Newton Cinema April 26 through May 1. For tickets go to westnewtoncinema.com. To watch a trailer, go to growingthroughcovid19.com Question and Answer session by the film makers following the 4/27 screening.

Winning “Best Feature Documentary Film” at the Boston International Film Festival in 2023, this movie about Russell’s called, “Growing Through COVID-19” was written and directed by Professional film maker, Genevieve Skehan who is the daughter of the owners of Russell’s Garden Center. Nominated for “Best Original Documentary Music Score” at the International Sound & Music Festival in Croatia, the film highlights both the struggles and positive experiences that came out of the Covid pandemic. Here’s a review of “Growing Through Covid-19” from an Emmy award-winning movie & theater critic:

“This intimate story of a family and a garden center under siege is supported by beautiful cinematography and underscored by a tender suite of original music. It’s a heartfelt film that offers big insight about the hidden gifts of the pandemic.” Joyce Kulhawik

At 148 years old, through 5 generations, family-owned Russell’s GC has survived many floods, the great depression, the introduction of the big box stores, competition from Amazon & online stores, and the recession of 2008. However, in the Spring of 2020, with the pandemic raging, the family considered closing their doors forever. What happens next is truly inspiring.

The West Newton Cinema opened in 1937. Since 1978 the Theatre has been owned by the Bramante family operating as an independent community theatre showing a broad genre of films including foreign, family and first run.

If you believe in supporting small businesses, your community, nature, gardening, or if you had to adjust your life during the pandemic, this film is for you.