First Position follows a diverse group of young ballet dancers as they prepare for the ultimate, career-changing competition: The Youth America Grand Prix.

From passionate dedication to incredible precision, each of the students followed in the film inspire awe in different ways. 14 year old Michaela was born in Sierra Leone, and adopted by a family in Philadelphia after her parents were shot. 11 year old Aran shows off his BB gun and his foot stretcher. 17 year old Rebecca drives a car with a Princess license plate, 12 year old Miko displays an alarming self-possession. 16 year old Joan Sebastien lives alone in New York, cherishing rare visits home to Columbia to visit his family. 11 year old Gaya has a mesmerizing stage presence and an adorable romance with Aran.

Through the film, you watch as these young dancers push themselves to the limit to prepare for the Grand Prix, a contest where 5,000 dancers compete for a few hundred spots at the showcase in New York. The incredible power, and pain, of their art form is displayed, and from the first moments of the film, you’re invested in their success. The documentary uses a non-judgemental eye, presenting the ups and downs of the dancers’ lives. You’ll be blown away by their talent and drive, and moved by their performances.