Short Term 12 is a film.
Short Term 12 is a 2013 American drama film written and directed by Destin Daniel Cretton . Short Term 12 premiered on March 10 , 2013 at the South by Southwest film festival and was released in theaters on August 23 , 2013 . 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 .