The new dance drama for teenagers Red shoes: the next step started production in Sydney.

Creators of The Legend of Five, The Red Shoes double gold medalist ballet dancer stars Juliette Doherty ( High Strung: Free dance and Pushed to dance ) as leader Sam Cavanaugh and The Conjuring 2 ‘s Lauren Esposito like her rebellious best friend Eve.

The Red Shoes opens with Sam backstage about to dance the lead role in a ballet when her older sister Annie, a brilliant dancer, is hit by a car while on Facetime with Sam. Feeling guilty, Sam leaves the Academy, returns to high school, lashes out with Eve and ends up in community service, to be served in the Academy’s cleaning studios; a constant memory of the tragedy.

Surrounded by old friends and rivals, Sam gets on with the job, avoiding reminders of her past. But when Gracie, the director of The Red Shoes, is injured, Sam is pressed by her ballet teacher, Mrs. Harlow, to take over the role and dance with Ben, an old friend, lifelong lover and renowned dancer. Sam grapples with her guilt, wondering if her sister would give her her blessing, but it is her own grief and her own fear that she must face to rekindle her deep love for dancing.

The Red Shoes is written by Zechariah Layner , award-winning writer Jean Banas ( Mysteries of the murder of Miss Phryne Fisher ) and Peter McLeod ( The legend of the five ), and led by Jesse A’hern , ( The legend of the five ) and Mad Max ‘s Jeanne Samuel .

Directors Jesse A’hern and Joanne Samuel said;

“ The Red Shoes is written with authentic characters and themes that deepen the importance of strength and connection between dancing families and friends. We aim to produce a world within The Red Shoes that feels grounded in reality, showing, on the one hand, the challenges, stress and pain that come with ballet, but on the other hand the freedom, the love and acceptance that can also be found through Dance.

The Red Shoes tours in various locations in and around Sydney. Supporting actors for the film include a professional ballet dancer Joel Burke, Carolyn Bock ( Neighbors, Wentworth ), Paris Opera ballet dancer Primrose Kern, Meitta White ( Conspiracy 365 ), Ashleigh ross ( Dance School ) and Nicolas Andrianankos ( The legend of the five ).

Executive producer Tanya Esposito is proud to present a film that will resonate with audiences around the world.

“The Red Shoes explores through dance universal themes across all cultures and ages. Being predominantly a female lead cast and with the collaboration of a female director, we believe that the foundation of the story’s friendship represents an authentic female voice that audiences will identify with ”.

Esposito adds: “ The Red Shoes comes at a unique time when there is a void of dance-centric films aimed at younger audiences. The film will also appeal to a wider audience who will appreciate the complexity of our professionally choreographed dance scenes. It has been a real pleasure to work with a young, multi-talented cast and I believe The Red Shoes showcases the high caliber of young dancers that Australia has to offer ”.

The producers are Tanya Esposito and Jesse A’hern, the director of photography is Kent marcus and the choreographer is Daniel Gaudiello . The cast and production crew are adhering to safe filming practices for COVID and closely following guidelines set by the NSW government. The Red Shoes will be distributed in Australia by Pivot Pictures.