Dance Film SF, in partnership with Prix de Lausanne and San Francisco Ballet School, is proud to present a special screening of The Prix, a feature-length documentary offering rare, behind-the-scenes access to the prestigious Prix de Lausanne.
The film follows four teenage dancers—Romina, Julien, Abril, and Darrion—who have traveled from around the globe to compete in this renowned ballet competition, widely regarded as a launching pad to the world’s top dance schools. As they stand on the brink of a life-changing opportunity, The Prix captures both the intensity of the moment and the years of dedication and sacrifice that brought them there, weaving in archival footage to celebrate the competition’s 50th anniversary in 2022-23.
The event will feature opening remarks by Olivier Glauser, Chairman of the Prix de Lausanne Foundation. Following the screening, stay for an engaging Q&A with Prix de Lausanne Director Kathryn Bradney, 2026 Prix Winner Milo Demeulenaere (City Ballet San Francisco), 2026 Prix Young Creation Award choreographer Isabella Howard (San Francisco Ballet School), and 2024 Prix Winner Crystal Huang (San Francisco Ballet School), moderated by San Francisco Ballet Principal Dancer and Prix Finalist Frances Chung. The evening will conclude with a post-screening reception, open to all ticketholders.
This event is generously sponsored by the Consulate General of Switzerland in San Francisco, with support from lead sponsors Diedre & Robert Shaw and Betsy Linder, and sponsors Katie Colendich, Sunnie Evers, Randall Schwabacher & Kristine Elliott, and Sharon Yoerg.
EVENT DETAILS:
THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2026
5:00PM VIP Reception
6:00PM Screening & Q&A
8:15PM Post-Screening Reception, open to all
ATRIUM THEATER
San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center (401 Van Ness Ave, 4th Floor)
The Prix
(2023, Switzerland) 94 minutes
Directors: Nuria Manzur, Alain Wirth
VIP RECEPTION
Our pre-screening VIP Reception offers sponsors and VIP ticket holders the opportunity to meet and mingle with distinguished guests from the international dance community, with time for conversation and photos.
Special guests include Olivier Glauser, Chairman, Prix de Lausanne Foundation; Jonas Brunschwig, Swiss Consul General of San Francisco; San Francisco Ballet Principal Dancers Sasha De Sola and Frances Chung; recent Prix participants Milo Demeulenaere, Isabella Howard, and Crystal Huang; Demian Vargas and Kathryn Bradney from the Prix de Lausanne; and Grace Holmes and Pascal Molat of the San Francisco Ballet School. A special opportunity to connect with leaders and rising stars shaping the future of ballet.
ABOUT THE FILM
A captivating documentary celebrating the 50th anniversary of the prestigious ballet competition, Prix de Lausanne.
Romina, Julien, Abril, and Darrion are fulfilling a shared dream: participating in the prestigious Prix de Lausanne ballet competition. At just 16 years old, they have traveled from all corners of the world to take part, driven by an unwavering passion for their art form. Earning a place at the competition is the culmination of many years of hard work and numerous sacrifices.
Renowned as a powerful launching pad for young dancers, Prix de Lausanne can open the doors to the world’s top dance schools. The four teenagers know they stand at the edge of a life-changing opportunity, but the stakes are high. In ballet, many aspire, few are chosen.
The Prix is a feature-length documentary by Alain Wirth and Nuria Manzur that delves behind the scenes and into the archives of this prestigious ballet competition in celebration of its 50th anniversary in 2022-23.
