First Position (2011)

First Position is an American documentary film released in 2011. It follows six young dancers as they prepare for the Youth America Grand Prix in New York City, an annual competition for dancers ages 9 to 19 to gain a spot at a prestigious ballet company or school. Bess Kargman directed the film, which stars Michaela DePrince, Aran Bell, Gaya Bommer-Yemini, Miko Fogarty, Jules Fogarty, Joan Sebastian Zamora, and Rebecca Houseknecht as they train and prepare for what could be a watershed moment in their lives. The film was widely praised by critics.

The documentary was praised by critics and spectators alike for being bright and inspirational. It successfully captures the spirit of its six subjects, demonstrating their brilliance and perseverance as they seek to defy the obstacles. First Position won the Jury Prize at the San Francisco Doc Fest and audience awards for Best Documentary at the Dallas International Film Festival and the Portland International Film Festival, where Bess Kargman was also named Best New Director.

Director: Bess Kargman
Casts: Joan Sebastian Zamora, Rebecca Houseknecht, Aran Bell
IMDb: 7,5