The story concerns an inner city middle-school teacher who forms a friendship with one of his students after she discovers that he has a drug habit . The film is based on a 19-minute film made by Boden and Fleck in 2004 , titled '' Gowanus , Brooklyn '' . It premiered in competition at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival . It was released theatrically on August 11 , 2006
2006 Sundance Film Festival
2006 Sundance Film Festival
Half Nelson (film)