To film her directorial debut, “The Fits,” director Anna Rose Holmer scoured the West End of Cincinnati to cast real, non-actor teenagers for added authenticity. The resulting energy is clear from the trailer alone, which elegantly explores adolescent girlhood through dance, sports, and a bizarre medical phenomenon.

According to distributor Oscilloscope’s official synopsis, “The Fits” follows 11-year-old tomboy Toni (Royalty Hightower) who is, “bewitched by the tight-knit dance team she sees practicing in the same Cincinnati gymnasium where she boxes. Enamored by the power and confidence of the strong community of girls, Toni spends less and less time boxing with her older brother, and instead eagerly absorbs the dance routines and masters drills from a distance, and even pierces her own ears in an effort to fit in. But when a mysterious outbreak of fainting spells plagues the team, Toni’s desire for acceptance becomes more complicated.”

“The Fits” touches on what’s known as mass psychogenic illness, which Holmer diligently researched before beginning the project. Upon filming, she, “Quickly learned that directing does not require brains; it requires guts. I didn’t have the luxury of time to worry or doubt or second-guess my vision,” she said in a director’s statement. “Making a film at this speed forced me to exercise a different strength altogether. I learned to trust my collaborators, to lead by taking action, to problem solve in the moment, to forgive, to avoid agonizing, and to be constantly present. I had to believe in the instincts of others, and most importantly, myself.”

Following its World premiere at the Venice Film Festival, “The Fits” made its North American debut at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival in the NEXT program and was screened at New Directors/New Films 2016.

“The Fits” opens in New York on June 3 and in Los Angeles on June 10. Check out the stunning trailer below: