Recommended for Grades 9-12

Over a decade in the making, LIFT shines a spotlight on the transformative power of dance and the invisible story of homelessness in America through the extraordinary journey of young home-insecure ballet dancers and their mentor who inspires them. Guided by Steven Melendez, who began his dance career in a shelter, these children make this aristocratic art form their own when they step from the shelter to the stage.

After LIFT‘s world premiere at the Tribeca Festival where it won an Audience Award for Best Documentary, the film went to The Hamptons Film Festival, the San Francisco Dance Film Festival winning Best Documentary, was selected among Best of Fest at the Palm Springs International Film Festival and screened at the Cartagena, Miami, and Seattle International Film Festivals. LIFT is also the recipient of the Shine Global Children’s Resilience in Film Award.

Consider this documentary film if you are exploring the topics of arts education, home insecurity, humanitarian issues, or dance.