Moments of Youth Captures the Magic and Mayhem of One Unforgettable Night Before Graduation

Charming Coming-of-Age Comedy-Drama from Debut Director Gregory Pellerito Stars Comedy Icons Cheri Oteri and John Farley, now streaming on Amazon

STAMFORD, CT, UNITED STATES, March 4, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Jackpot Pictures proudly announces the Amazon release of Moments of Youth, a heartfelt and hilarious coming-of-age film written and directed by Gregory Pellerito in his theatrical feature debut. The film follows a group of high school seniors on the eve of graduation as they embark on an epic, prize-filled scavenger hunt that becomes so much more than a game—one final, chaotic night of laughter, secrets, dares, and profound discoveries before the uncertainties of adulthood begin.

In the small town of Winthrop Creek, the senior class dives headfirst into a high-stakes scavenger hunt featuring inventive challenges like stealing the principal’s tie, sneaking onto a professional baseball field, and pulling off a hole-in-one with pool-shark precision. Amid the fast-paced fun and reckless energy, an undercurrent of unspoken tragedy and collective healing adds emotional depth, transforming the night into a cathartic ritual of preserving youth’s fleeting innocence. Through a time capsule buried in the climax, the characters confront the bittersweet tension between clinging to the past and stepping boldly into the future.

Gregory Pellerito, President and CEO of Jackpot Pictures, draws from his diverse background to craft this authentic portrait of modern adolescence. A Quinnipiac University film graduate, Pellerito interned at MTV in New York City, contributing to iconic series like “Cribs,” “My Super Sweet 16,” and “True Life." He has since written, directed, and produced acclaimed shorts, music videos, and the hidden camera game show, “Everyone Has Their Price." Moments of Youth marks his leap into feature filmmaking, using dynamic humor and vibrant energy, blended with tender introspection to reflect the pressures, hopes, and invisible scars young people carry in today’s world.

The film features a standout ensemble cast led by comedy legends Cheri Oteri (“Saturday Night Live”) and John Farley (a key member of Adam Sandler’s comedy circle), alongside Garry Pastore (The Irishman, “The Deuce”) and Betsy Beutler (“Scrubs" and “The Black Donnelleys”). The talented young cast includes Sarah Herrman (starring in the upcoming film Chili Finger with Bryan Cranston, Judi Greer, and John Goodman, premiering at SXSW), Lauren Francesca (influencer with over 2 million followers), Paten Hughes (recently in the acclaimed London play Interview with Tony-winner Robert Sean Leonard), Jarrett Austin Brown (“Stumble”), Julia Tolchin (“Life & Beth”), Andrew Burdette, Savannah Whitten, Micah Scroggins, Olivia Freer, Kristen Grace Gonzalez, Carolyn Kang, and Anthony Notarile.

Behind the camera, Pellerito is joined by producers including BondIt and Buffalo 8 Co-Founders Matthew Helderman and Luke Taylor, as well as Joseph Pellerito, Wain Bradley, Joshua McCoy, JJ Pellerito, Rick Rainone, Laura Rotelli Pellerito, Susan Bradley, Tim Carney, and Kelly Hirano. Cinematography is by Cory Green, music composed by John Baxter, and editing by Jeffrey C. Quinn and Imran Vasanwala.

Distributed by Buffalo 8, Moments of Youth is available on TVOD platforms in the US, UK, and Canada, including Amazon Prime Video, Verizon Fios, Fandango at Home, as well as several cable providers, cruise ships, and in hotels and resorts. The film will expand worldwide soon.

The film has resonated strongly on the festival circuit, earning 39 awards to date, including Best Feature, Best Director, and Best Screenplay, and 34 official selections worldwide. Premiering at Festival of Cinema NYC, selections include: Paradise Film Festival, Megaflix Movie Awards, Global INDIE Filmmaker Awards, Crown Point, Hollywood Gold Awards, Bridge Fest, San Diego Movie Awards, Milan Gold Awards, and Paris Film Awards. The film was spotlighted in the Cannes Film Awards Market.

Critics and festival programmers have hailed Moments of Youth as a modern classic in the genre. The Flight Deck Film Festival awarded it five stars, calling it “exhilaratingly fast-paced and deeply tender,” a “true coming-of-age story wrapped inside a wild, unforgettable night” that “speaks vividly to today’s youth.” It praises Pellerito for creating “a mirror” to teenage pressures and fears, comparing it to Dazed and Confused, The Breakfast Club, and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off: “Moments of Youth deserves to be spoken of with the same reverence... It is, without a doubt, a time capsule we will look back on for years to come.”

The Gothamite Film Awards echoed this sentiment, describing the film as capturing “that fleeting moment when everything still feels possible” with “echoes of Dazed and Confused, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and classic John Hughes energy,” yet remaining fresh and purposeful—fun, thoughtful, and resonant.

“Moments of Youth blends laughter, honesty, and heartfelt reflection into a story that speaks to anyone who remembers the chaos and beauty of growing up,” said Nikki Stier Justice, Head of Buffalo 8 Distribution. “We’re proud to support this talented team.”

The Macoproject Film Festival added: “Moments of Youth represents independent filmmaking at its most powerful—bringing together distinct voices, multiple generations of artists, and raw, honest humanity...A cinematic firework of heart, memory, and collective creativity.”


About Jackpot Pictures
Jackpot Pictures is a Connecticut-based production company dedicated to producing high-quality feature films, television, and media, through cinematic storytelling and creative collaboration.

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Moments of Youth Official Trailer

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