First Position follows six young performers for a year as they work to compete in the Youth America Grand Prix, one of the world’s largest, and toughest, ballet competitions. Winning could mean a scholarship to one of the best ballet schools around the country, not to mention career-making recognition. Though all under the age of seventeen, the young dancers in this film have already made significant sacrifices to follow their dreams. Family schedules and finances revolve around dance—some have even moved to be closer to a particular coach or program, one young man going so far as to leave his family behind in Colombia to study in the United States. At this point in their young careers, the choice has been made to put it all on the line, to see if they have what it takes. Beautiful shot, with all the texture and glamour of ballet, the film also goes beyond layers of tulle and satin to capture the dancers’ most intense experiences, emotional and physical, behind and on stage. Like the very best performances, First Position breathtakingly navigates moments of gravity and graceful ascent with equal aplomb.  ST