Miss Juneteenth is a 2020 American drama film written and directed by Channing Godfrey Peoples. The film follows the story of Turquoise, a former Miss Juneteenth winner who has now become a hardworking single mother in Fort Worth, Texas. She struggles to make ends meet and works tirelessly to give her rebellious teenage daughter, Kai, a better life.
Turquoise is determined to make Kai follow in her footsteps and compete in the Miss Juneteenth pageant, hoping that winning the title will give her daughter the opportunities she never had. However, Kai is not interested in the pageant and wants to pursue her own dreams. Despite the differences in their perspectives, Turquoise and Kai bond over their shared experiences and their love for each other.
As the pageant approaches, Turquoise faces financial difficulties and personal challenges while trying to prepare Kai. She also has to confront her own past and the mistakes she made as a young pageant queen. The film touches on themes of identity, motherhood, generational expectations, and the African American community's celebration of Juneteenth.
Miss Juneteenth premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2020 and received critical acclaim for its insightful portrayal of race, class, and female relationships. It features standout performances by Nicole Beharie as Turquoise and Alexis Chikaeze as Kai. The film has been a festival favorite and has won several awards, including the Louis Black Lone Star Award at SXSW and the Grand Jury Prize for Best Narrative Feature at the Tallgrass Film Festival.