Christine Lakin directorial debut film I Won’t Dance brings heat to AFM 2025 with a fun, heartfelt ballroom story poised for global interest.
Christine Lakin directorial debut film sets the stage for a fresh, fun-loving twist at AFM 2025
The American Film Market always brings a pulse of possibility to Century City, but this year’s buzz feels different. There’s a flavor of anticipation — the fun-loving, wide-grinned kind — around the Christine Lakin directorial debut film, I Won’t Dance
And for good reason.
The former Step by Step star is stepping onto an entirely new stage with I Won’t Dance, a coming-of-age romantic comedy and sports film now in active packaging and financing. Producers will showcase the title at AFM 2025, joining a global circuit that includes the Cannes Marché du Film, the European Film Market in Berlin, and Locarno’s Industry Days.
This project isn’t just another mid-market indie. It’s a film shaped by a woman who’s lived her own evolution in real time — and that relatability gives the project an irresistible spark.
A Ballroom Story with Bite, Heart, and Humor
Set to film in the Canary Islands, I Won’t Dance follows a blue-collar belle of the ball forced to team up with her nemesis — the notorious “bad boy of the ballroom” — for a shot at becoming National Teen Dance Champions.
The premise carries that great AFM energy: aspirational, flavorful, a little messy in all the right ways, and fun-loving enough to stand out in a crowded market.
Why I Won’t Dance Fits the Mood of Today’s Film Markets
Dance films rise and fall in Hollywood like tides — but competitive ballroom carries a specific glamour that plays well internationally. The sport is universal. The stakes are emotional. The costumes? Always flavorful.
Markets like Cannes, TIFF Industry, and the Hong Kong Filmart respond well to projects that combine athleticism, youth appeal, and romance. This one checks every box.
And Lakin sees the emotional undercurrent clearly:
“I Won’t Dance is not just a film about dance, it’s a film about family and tradition and expectation — both from oneself and those around us.”
She adds:
“The characters in this film remind us what it is to be young and on the precipice of greatness and how the journey to achieve your dream is ultimately a journey toward finding yourself.”
Who doesn’t love a good self-discovery arc?
Especially one that’s a little competitive, a little sweaty, and just romantic enough to feel fun-loving without tipping into cheesy.
A Female-Led Team With Market Muscle
Fronted by Alexandra Olivia Engelson of Magic & Moxie Productions, the producing team includes:
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Toni D’Antonio (WorldFest Houston Remi winner)
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Samantha Bowen of Shake the Tree Productions
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Writer Allison Johnson of Love Laugh Dance Films
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Artios Award winner Mia Cusumano
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International partner Hulahoop Media
This crew understands not only how to make a film — but how to sell one. And with choreography led by Dancing with the Stars champion Sharna Burgess, the dance sequences are already primed to impress global buyers.
For readers wanting deeper context on industry trends, the MPAA’s data is always a reliable source:
https://www.motionpictures.org/research-documents/
Lakin’s Moment: From Sitcom Star to Behind-the-Camera Force
Lakin brings nearly 140 acting credits and notable directing experience — including The Goldbergs — to her feature debut. That mix of experience often translates into films with warmth, rhythm, and a lived-in understanding of how actors breathe life into scenes.
There’s also something relatable about watching someone reinvent themselves after decades in the business. For any filmmaker hustling through AFM meetings — iced coffee in hand, badge flapping in the wind — that sense of renewal hits close to home.
FAQ
Q: What is I Won’t Dance about?
A: It’s a coming-of-age romantic comedy and sports film about two rival teen dancers forced to partner for a national championship — discovering family, identity, and romance along the way.
Q: Who is directing the film?
A: Christine Lakin is making her feature directorial debut.
Q: Where will the film be introduced?
A: It will be showcased to distributors and sales partners at the 2025 American Film Market.
Heart, humor, dance-floor athleticism
With its mix of heart, humor, dance-floor athleticism, and a standout female-led team, the Christine Lakin directorial debut film is poised to make a flavorful splash at AFM 2025. For buyers seeking character-driven stories with international upside — and for filmmakers craving proof that reinvention is always possible — I Won’t Dance is absolutely one to watch.
Christine Lakin directorial debut film I Won’t Dance brings heat to AFM 2025 with a fun, heartfelt ballroom story poised for global interest.
