Claim: Short Term 12 was produced by Destin Daniel Cretton.

Short Term 12 is a 2013 American drama film written and directed by Destin Daniel Cretton . The film is based on Cretton 's short film of the same name , produced in 2009 . It stars Brie Larson as Grace , the supervisor of a group home for troubled teenagers .   Cretton was inspired to write Short Term 12 based on his own experience of working in a group facility for teenagers . He first wrote and produced a short film based on the idea and later adapted it into a feature-length screenplay . While Larson and John Gallagher , Jr. won their roles after auditioning through Skype , most of the children featured in the film were cast through open casting calls . Filming took place over 20 days in Los Angeles , California in September 2012 .   Short Term 12 premiered on March 10 , 2013 at the South by Southwest film festival and was released in theaters on August 23 , 2013 . It grossed $ 2 million and was met with critical acclaim . Reviewers praised the film 's realism and intimacy , drawing particular attention to Larson 's performance and Cretton 's direction . The film won South by Southwest 's Grand Jury and Audience Awards for a Narrative Feature , as well as earning three Independent Spirit Award nominations .