Four friends head to the beach to party and have a good time in director Ryan Gielen’s feature directorial debut, The Graduates and from the start of their journey it seems like that’s just what they’re going to do. Ben, Andy, Nickie and Mattie make their way to Ocean City, Maryland for Senior Week in this smart, funny coming-of-age comedy that took the Best Comedy prize at this year’s STIFF festival.

Bolstered by an excellent indie rock soundtrack, The Graduates flavors its humor with a welcome dose of thoughtfulness, well written and acted by a cast who give depth to the sort of roles that are all too often reduced to one dimensional stereotypes.

The Graduates makes its post-festival debut in Seattle on Monday night at Central Cinema. A film maker discussion panel follows the Monday screening; the movie continues through November 5.