LIFT

SFDFF 2022 Festival Title Graphic LIFT

Lift tells the astounding story of Steven Melendez who overcame significant obstacles to achieve worldwide recognition on the ballet stage

WEST COAST PREMIERE

Lift follows the incredible journey of Steven Melendez. Like many other kids living in homeless shelters in NYC, Steven had big dreams but no clear path. Thanks to the New York Theater Ballet’s LIFT program, Steven received a scholarship to study ballet after school, unleashing talents and skills he may not have otherwise discovered. We join Steven, now an adult and celebrated on the world ballet stage, as he returns to the same Bronx homeless shelter in which he grew up to pay it forward for a new generation of LIFT students. Like any homecoming, Steven’s is fraught with unexpected pain and surprising victories he couldn’t have imagined. Spanning the course of almost two decades, this is a triumphant story to make you stand up and cheer.

Steven Melendez will be in attendance for post-screening Q&A with Kristine Elliott.

Program Info

Saturday, November 5 @ 7pm

$15 General Admission

Venue: Delancey Theater
Director: David Petersen
(United States, 2022) 87 minutes
Genre: Documentary, Ballet, Mentorship