With a new partnership with the Queensland Ballet, the Inspired Dance Film Festival, will run this October online and at Brisbane’s Thomas Dixon Centre.

The festival will screen 60 films from 31 countries, encompassing a diverse range of subjects including gender identity, disability and cultural identity.

Judges and ambassadors for this year’s event include theatre star, Adam Garcia; award-winning choreographer and director, Kelley Abbey; TV star and musical theatre icon, Todd McKenney; creator of Tap Dogs, Dein Perry; artistic director of Strictly Come Dancing – UK, Jason Gilkison; former senior artist at Bangarra, director and filmmaker, Deborah Brown; choreographer, Stephen Tannos; and  choreographer, Sarah Boulter.

The program’s film categories include: Student Dance Film, Dance Short Film. Arts/Experimental Dance Film, Queer Dance Film, Disabled Dance Film, Mobile Device Dance Film, Live Performance Capture Dance Film, Documentary, Extended Short or Feature Dance Film.

Other program highlights include Dances at The Royal Palaces, a documentary which captures a moment last year when the Danish Royal Family opened their private residence, Amalienborg Palace, to host a brand new choreographed ballet; documentary, Dance for Change, set In Dzaleka refugee camp (Malawi), home to over 40,000 people where an exciting dance scene is emerging; exciting new Irish dance celebration, Steps Of Freedom: The Story Of Irish Dance; and Australian short film called, Look The Part, about a disabled young cleaner who yearns to dance.

Inspired Dance Film Festival grew out of adversity when co-founder Ian Knowles diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour in 2013 and given 18 months to live. Despite this news, Ian was led on a journey to find purpose again when it became clear that not only would he survive but continue to thrive. He came to realise he still loved dance and his biggest desire was to give back to the industry that has supported him, resulting in Inspired Dance Film Festival. Knowing that this was more than a one-man job, Ian enlisted friend and fellow Perth dancer Rohan Seinor to co-found the festival with him.

KEY DATES:

Wednesday 19 October 2022:

• Workshop 1: Screendance Filmmaking Masterclass with Ryan Renshaw (Guest speaker Claire Marshall) – 1pm – 3pm

• Screening 1 – Captured in Time – 6pm – 7pm

• Screening 2 – Triple Treat – 7.45pm – 8.45pm

Thursday 20 October 2022:

• Workshop 2: Dance Filmmaking Masterclass with Deborah Brown – 10am – 12pm

• Workshop 3: Choreographing for Film Workshop with Lucy Doherty – 1pm – 3pm

• Screening 3 – Outside the Box – 6pm – 7pm

• Screening 4 – Dance in Diversity 7.45pm – 8.45pm

Friday 21 October 2022:

• Workshop 4 – Inclusive Filmmaking Talk with Martha Goddard (Guest speaker Deborah Brown) – 10am – 12pm

• Discussion Panel – How to Create Better Films and How to Build a Thriving Dance Film Industry – 1pm – 3pm

• Screening 5 – Moments of Reflection – 6pm – 7pm • Screening 6 – Short, Fun, and Fabulous – 7.45pm – 8.45pm

Saturday 22 October 2022:

• Red Carpet event – 7pm – 7.30pm

• Gala Screening & Awards Ceremony – 7.30pm – 9.30pm