Documentary about Russell’s Garden Center wins big at film festival

"Growing Through Covid-19," a feature-length documentary that looks inside the pandemic struggles of Russell's Garden Center, has won Best Documentary at the Boston International Film Festival.

The film brings to life the dramatic story that the 144 year-old, family-run garden center endured. In March of 2020, the family seriously considered shutting down their business forever.  With an original musical score and an abundance of beautiful plants throughout, the film shows how they quickly changed their business to adapt to the times and reopen. During the pandemic's darkest hours, they helped thousands of new people try gardening for the first time and witness the grounding comfort and satisfaction they received from putting their hands in the dirt.

“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,” said Boston/New England Emmy-winning critic Joyce Kulhawik.

Elizabeth Russell-Skehan, president, VP of marketing and buyer for Russell's Garden Center, produced the documentary.

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Russell’s Garden Center is one of the largest garden centers in New England and specializes in annuals and vegetables, perennials, roses, shrubs and trees, planters, garden décor, gifts, toys, fresh and silk flowers and seasonal decorations. Established in 1876, they are the second oldest garden center in the country and in Garden Center magazine's list of the Top 100 Independent Garden Centers in North America. Check out the 2022 Top 100 list here.

Watch the trailer and learn more about the documentary at growingthroughcovid19.com