One of the most inspirational films at Sundance this year — so much so it won a specific Jury Award for Inspirational Filmmaking in its U.S. Documentary section — was Amanda Lipitz‘s Step. Following an inner-city, all-girls step dance team in Baltimore as they challenge themselves both on stage and off, they are empowered by their community and bond through the art of dance. Ahead of a release this August from Fox Searchlight, we’re pleased to debut a set of new stills showing the group in action.
“Step, like many documentaries, uses a sport as an entry point to a larger discussion about race, the struggles of those on the lower end of the income spectrum, and the challenges of being a single parent and inner-city life,” we said our review. “It’s a film that is as inspiring as its subjects and may very well encourage those that see it to visit their guidance counselor for advice on their options even if, like Blessing, they may not have the grades nor the family support.”
Check out the exclusive stills above and below, as well as a new featurette, and see the trailer here.
STEP is the true-life story of a girls’ high-school step team set against the background of the heart of Baltimore. These young women learn to laugh, love and thrive – on and off the stage – even when the world seems to work against them. Empowered by their teachers, teammates, counselors, coaches and families, they chase their ultimate dreams: to win a step championship and to be accepted into college.
This all female school is reshaping the futures of its students’ lives by making it their goal to have every member of their senior class accepted to and graduate from college, many of whom will be the first in their family to do so. Deeply insightful and emotionally inspiring, STEP embodies the true meaning of sisterhood through a story of courageous young women worth cheering for.
Step opens on August 4.