Jiwoo Park (Canada) YOUTH

Duration: 3:31 

Content warning: course language

JP, a jaded restaurant worker, is working her usual shift until she realizes this isn't the life she wants to live. She decides to go on a lunch break.

She heads to a local park and listens to some of her favourite music. Once she starts listening, she fades into a world of dance and freedom of expression.

Suddenly she wakes up from her boss' phone call, and realizes the dancing was all a dream. This however gives her the confidence to finally quit her mundane job she hated, to pursue what she actually loved doing: dancing.

Director & Writer: Jiwoo Park
Co-Producers: Jiwoo Park, Huzaifa Sheikh
Cinematographer & Editor: Huzaifa Sheikh
Cast: Jiwoo Park as JP, Huzaifa Sheikh as Boss
Music: Outkast Type Beat - "Talk" By Bailey Daniel

Vianney Rodríguez (Mexico) EMERGING

Canadian Premiere

Duration: 4:59

Punto de fuga refers to the journeys, feelings and difficulties experienced during the migration phenomenon, where people leave their homes to flee violence, social exclusion and poverty in search of a more dignified life. The idea for this video dance was born in 2018, the year in which the migrant caravan, made up of people from Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, began its journey north.

Director: Vianney Rodríguez
Cinematographer: Vianney Rodríguez 
Dancers: Vianney Rodríguez y Edén García 
Choreography: Vianney Rodríguez 
Camera: Nadia Kareli Rodríguez 
Music: Omar Urbina

Maylis Arrabit (France) EMERGING

Canadian Premiere

Duration: 9:50

Written by Maylis Arrabit, with Carolina Kzan bringing her vision to the screen, Les Chaussures Rouges (The Red Shoes) follows Maylis as she faces an imminent separation in her life. The relationship she shares with a key partner in her daily life compels her to revisit her journey and emotions. Through dance, this film explores feelings of change, transition, emancipation, and the invisible bonds that resonate within us.

Original concept, Script, Choreography: Maylis Arrabit
Director Editor: Carolina Kzan
Original score: Wolf Kroeger
Text and voice over: Maylis Arrabit
Production: Compagnie In(-)Between
Executive Production: Irene van Zeeland - Omaro Productions
Assistant Choreography: Alba Fernandez Gonzalez, Irene van Zeeland
Costumes: Evelyne Arrabit, Sander Verbeek (SAND-R)
Access Worker: Bernadette Arrabit
Theater support and Technician: Jokin Agirrezabalaga Aginaga
Supports: Donostia Kultura, Gaztezsena ; Gipuzkoako Dantzagunea

Image Description:
Against a black background, illuminated by a spotlight behind her, Maylis, a white woman, dances in her wheelchair. Dressed in a black jumpsuit and red ankle boots, she is suspended to one side. Her ponytail floats in the wind.

Tyler Quincy Yan & Ian Simon (Canada) EMERGING

Duration: 7:31

Content warning: depiction of mental health struggles, light strobe lighting

Initially a private personal project, they shoot horses depicts how feelings of hopelessness and despair can be paralyzing, but human connections remind us that life is worth seeing through, if you’re willing to accept a hand. This film draws on the lived experience of a crippling diagnosis, “if I am broken and irreparable, is it worth the struggle of living?” The film responds through a mantra, “if it’s meant to be, then it will be.”

Directors: Tyler Quincy Yan, Ian Simon
Cinematographer: Ian Simon
Choreographer: Tyler Quincy Yan
Editor: Ian Simon 
Dancers: Tomiwa Adetoyese-Olagunju, Vincent Cezar, Candace Choi, Jennifer Choi, Kailey Huang, Paul Ji, Phil Kim, Ho Seok Lee, Kaman Carmen Lee, Bithanya Lemma, Neil Lordson Tangcuangc, Ben Luu, Kaylee McCullough, Marissa Nuñez, Nathan Parian, Eric Pinkerton, Emma Powell, Aashnin Rashid, Pauline Rivera, Yciar Santos, Krista Shepard, Mikayla Sinnott, Han Szeptycki, Brianna Tam, Kim Vuong, Tyler Quincy Yan, Nicole Yen
Production Assistants: Omar Afuni, Ghazal Bigdeli, Marion Kang, Ryan Palattao
Special Thanks: Community Space at 131 McCormack, Lavender Creek Loft, Cassidy Barnes, Safa Ali Mudei, Tina Lee

Yifan Li (Canada) YOUTH

World Premiere

Duration: 7:24

Content warning: course language 

She Wants to Cry explores how a woman lives under unspoken pressures by transforming her bodily response into a poetic act. Set in a forest near Paris, the video captures a physical theatre performer’s spontaneous reactions to both text and nature. The artist uses her body as a site to process, resist, and reinterpret expectations imposed by society and language.

Director: Yifan Li
Performer: Xiaoyue Xiao
Text: Yifan Li
Cinematographer: Linjing Wang, Yifan Li
Editor: Yifan Li
Music: Émile Savoie
Narration: Anan Xu

Maxx Sadler, Abby Zinken, Una Yu (Canada) YOUTH

World Premiere

Duration: 4:26

Syncopate is an experimental short film that explores the feeling of tension through the use of audio, sound mixing and no spoken dialogue. Using movement, paralleled by a game of chess, the film investigates body language, pacing and repetition to portray the tension that builds up and later dissolves throughout the duration of the chess game.

Production Team: Maxx Sadler, Abby Zinken, Una Yu
Cast: Divine Obiajunwa, Naomi Mor
Movement Artists: Lamont, Elstana Blair

Naomi Watkins (Canada) YOUTH

Duration: 7:13

While traveling to their nation, Naomi Watkins reflects on the stories that have shaped them—those passed down and encountered along the way. Revisiting these memories reveals a shift from self-doubt to a deeper understanding of spirit and the care held by the land when one listens closely. Created as a guest on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) nations, the work engages video and text to trace a journey marked by reconnection and reflection. As someone who grew up away from their nation, Watkins navigates the complexities of displacement, belonging, and the ongoing relationship between self, story, and place.

Director: Naomi Watkins

Ghost Rhooster Collective (Canada) EMERGING

Vancouver Premiere

Duration: 13:19

Multidisciplinary disability arts group Ghost Rooster Collective’s short film Dreamscapes is a genre-blurring experimental film exploring mental health, alternate realities, and the complexities of healing. Rooted in an intimate interview with Amelia Rose Griffin, the film integrates surreal visuals, layered soundscapes, and embodied movement to capture the complexity of existing within shifting mental landscapes. By inviting viewers into Amelia’s unique reality, Dreamscapes challenges conventional, medicalized narratives of disability, offering a deeply personal perspective.

Created by Ghost Rooster Collective: Elizabeth Emond-Stevenson, Rachel Gray, Amelia Rose Griffin, Jess Huggett, Liz Winkelaar
Director: Rachel Gray
Cinematography: Pixie Cram
Music and Composition Director: Pierre-Luc Clément
Cast: Amelia - Amelia Rose Griffin, Lead Demon - Elizabeth Winkelaar, Thé Glass Woman - Elizabeth Emond-Stevenson, Glamour Witch -Jess Huggett, Amelia 1 - Rachel Gray, Amelia 2 - Elizabeth Winkelaar, Amelia 3 - Jess Huggett, Amelia 4 - Elizabeth Emond-Stevenson
Videography: Ganganpreet Singh, Rachel Gray, Pixie Cram
Time Lapse Photography: Matthieu Hallé
Grip: Bem Parmington
Production Assistance: Julie-Anne Ryan, Nancy Huggett, Milie Veronneau, Olivia Kashul
Access Advisor: Nancy Huggett
Composers: Pierre-Luc Clément, Jack Hui Litster, King Kimbit
Vocal Performance: Rachel Gray, King Kimbit
Sound Design: Pierre-Luc Clément
Recording Technician: Pierre-Luc Clément
Mixing: Pierre-Luc Clément
Costume Design: Rachel Gray
Costume Construction: Cathy Gray, Rachel Gray
Headdress: Tanya Kimishni
Glamour Witch Makeup: Elizabeth Emond-Stevenson 
Demon Hair and Makeup: Abigail Kashul, Olivia Kashul, Elizabeth Emond-Stevenson 
Performing Amelia Ticket: David Sims
Editor: Rachel Gray
Editing Mentor: Laura Taler
Post Production Services: Space Tigers
Audio Descriptions: Kim Kilpatrick
ASL Interpretation: Asign Translation

We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts and the City of Ottawa

Adam Smith & Colby McLean (Canada) YOUTH

2023 FORM Commission 

Duration: 14:02

RELINQ inverses the relationship between dance and music. Sounds created by dancers have been warped and molded to produce a piece of music led by dancers, rather than a dance piece led by music. Through this mixture of movement and sound, Relinq captures the unfiltered energy of the Session and offers it to the viewer without external interference.

Through the viewfinder of a camera, the audience is invited to experience the session as a dancer, a spectator, and a fly on the wall.

Directed & Produced by: Colby McLean & Adam Smith
Assistant Director: J. L. McLean
Assistant Producer: Justin Larioza
Shot by Nicholas Alford, Benjamin San Martin
Sound Design and Arrangement: Adam Smith
Edited by: Colby McLean & Justin Larioza
Mentors: Sophia Mai Wolfe, Eric Cheung, Alim Sabir
Dancers (in order of appearance): Colby McLean, Eunice Fae Dionisio, Adam Smith, Skargfy, Samantha Nicole Alvarez Lindo, Justin Larioza

Special thanks to Jami Reimer for pushing us to submit an application, and to Yimu Wang for creating the space through which our group flourished.

Iris Gao (Canada) EMERGING

Screened at FORM 2023

Duration: 2:30

Your fashion is THE fashion! In this dance film, dancers from punking, w*acking and voguing culture come together to showcase their unique movements as well as their favourite outfits. As all of these dance genres originate from LGBTQ+ culture, we convey through our movements that everyone is the star of their own stage by being their authentic selves!

Dancers: Rosie M. Richard, Katria V. Phothong-McKinnon, SINUHÉ, Maria Belen de Rama, Shelby Tan, Stephanie Li, Juan Imperial, Ivan Lo, Iris Gao
Directed and Designed by: Iris Gao
Cinematography, Editing and Lighting by: Jullian P. Visco
Soundtrack: Fashion Blogger - RHYME SO

Joshua Cameron (Canada) EMERGING

Screened at FORM x Dance in Vancouver 2024

Duration: 4:57

The entropic unfolding of a dancer's closet on screen. It's all fun and games until the laundry bubble pops and the boulder rolls back down the steep hill; rinse, spin, repeat.  

Directed/Performed by Jammin' Cameron
Videographer: Alinar Dapilos
Production Coordinator: Rhythm 
Set provided by Plastic Orchid Factory at Left of Main
Song: Showbiz & A.G. - Party Groove (Instrumental)

Hugh Durnford-Dionne & The Montreal Steppers (Canada) YOUTH

Canadian Premiere

Duration: 10:05

Back in May, the Montreal Steppers visited South Africa for a cultural and artistic exchange to learn from elders and youth. Connecting to the roots of Gumboots, Pantsula and Stepping changed their lives and the work that they do. It fueled a deeper commitment to sharing the history and honoring the art forms that paved the way for resistance, power and legacy. With this knowledge, they enter into spaces with a heightened appreciation and understanding that this dance form is indeed their “ancestral inheritance.”

Filmmaker: Hugh Durnford-Dionne
Producer: The Montreal Steppers
Members of The Montreal Steppers: Kayin Queeley, Saryka Pierre, Natasha Clery

Haoyan “Harry” Zhang (Canada) EMERGING

Vancouver Premiere

Duration: 3:00

Three friends hang out to watch dance videos, snack, and vibe. When there's only one candy left, one heads to the bathroom while the other two break into a playful dance battle for the final treat. Just as things heat up, the third friend returns, totally unaware, and casually grabs the candy for himself. Told entirely through movement, this lighthearted short is a funky tribute to street dance, especially Campbellocking, inspired by the iconic style, humour, and spirit of The Lockers.

Director: Haoyan "Harry" Zhang
Cinematographer & Editor: Anyo
Choreographer: Haoyan "Harry" Zhang
Dancers: Haoyan "Harry" Zhang, Yulia Aldoshkina, Luis Miguel

Sevrin Emnacen-Boyd (Canada) EMERGING

2021 FORM Commission

Duration: 6:27

AION refers to a concept developed by the philosopher Gilles Deleuze which denotes "the indefinite time of the event, the floating line that knows only speeds and continually divides that which transpires into an already-there that is at the same time not-yet-here, a simultaneous too-late and too-early". It refers to a time-sense that is outside of Chronos or the chronological, linear, everyday measure of time which both organizes and is organized by "normality". These twin concepts demonstrate that time is anything but neutral, and that it organizes our perception of reality and our visions of the future.

The film AION plays with the conceptual disruption of Chronos by molding together both forward and reversed movement while creating an ulterior continuity between night and day. It is a dance that refuses the constructed time-sense of the everyday, one that is instilled in us by capital and has remained mostly imperceptible for many until COVID-19. As we edge closer to normality, AION serves to remind the viewer of the possibility of constructing time and ultimately our lives outside of "the normal" that drove us here in the first place. 

Director: Sevrin Emnacen-Boyd
Choreographer: Sevrin Emnacen-Boyd
Music Score: Amine Bouzaher
Editor, Director of Photography: Alinar Diapolos
Production Assistant: Abby Skaug

Special Thanks to Immigrant Lessons, Now or Never Crew, and Scndrlz.

The creation of this film was supported by the 2021 FORM Commissioning Fund Program.

Talia Woodland (Canada) EMERGING
Screened at FORM 2019
Duration: 15:00

Content Warning: Course language

Showcasing one of Toronto's best up and coming Hiphop dancers, All It Gives follows the story of Kosi Eze, a Nigerian immigrant who moved to Canada when she was fourteen. Her transition to the country brought culture shock, loneliness and loss of identity. She was immediately hooked by the vibrant Hiphop scene in Toronto and Mississauga. After meeting key members of the dance community, Marcelino "FrostFlow" DaCosta, Mariano "Glizzi" Abarca and Caroline "Lady C" Fraser, she was able to meet even more new people, share perspectives, and excel as a dancer in the Toronto community and beyond. From dancing in the hallways at her high school, to winning battles across the globe, Kosi's story of growth is a glowing example of how the power of hiphop can inspire, uplift and support anyone who needs it and wants to discover it.

Director: Talia Woodland 
Writers: Talia Woodland, Matthew Takatsch 
Featuring: Marcelino “FrostFlow” DaCosta, Mariano “Glixxi” Abarca, Caroline “Lady C” Fraser and Kosi “KC” Eze 
Producer: Anthony Hunos, Talia Woodland 
Executive Producer: Andrew Stevenson 
Editor: Matthew Takasch 
Cinematography: Micheal Gouvis and Talia Woodland 
Score Composition: Fevra and Germain Carter

Glo Romy (Canada) EMERGING 

Screened at FORM 2024

Duration: 3:41

The term “bossy” is often used to shame women in charge, however this is a film that commands RESPECT. BOSSY celebrates women in street dance who have kept the culture alive - featuring an all women cast & crew.

Director: Glo Romy
Production Company: Yute Studio
Executive Producer: Christina G. Cheng
Producers: Suha “Su” Mugni, Dorcas Ho
DP: Ashley Iris Gill
Choreographer: Amanda-May Wilson
Associate Choreographer: Marianne Kanaan, Christina de la Cruz
Casting: Amaia Creative
Editorial: Nimiopere
Editor: Leah Lalich
Colour: Darling Colour & VFX
Colourist: Kassi Bellamy
1st AD: Ashley Bodika
2nd AD: Alise Rosemin
Production Coordinator: Vanessa Okafo
Steadicam: Nigel Doucette
1st AC: Carine Zahner
2nd AC: Kiana Tagabing
Camera Trainee: Renata Mohamed
Gaffer: Sabrina Spilotro
Key Grip: Asmaa Rouhi
Dolly Grip: Ian Chan
Set Designer: Vanessa Cassar
Wardrobe: Glo Romy
Wardrobe Assists: Kaylah Wilson, Miki Diamond Perry
MUA: Kathy Nguyen
MUA Assists: Irene Brotto, Gabrielle Jovellanos
Hair Stylist: Lakia Sage
Nail Artist: Manis by Manu
Grillz: Grillz by Mazz
BTS: Christine Do, Puneet Boparai, Alicia Reid
PA's: Toni Ho, Olya Sovtus, Sierra Brown-Rodrigues

Cast: Glo Romy, Kayla-Renée Wilson, Petra Ayedzi, Jendayi Dyer, Malea Yarde, Shane Tubog, Jordanaé Marie, O'Shani "Ocean" Cardwell, Trisha Ng, Miambi Kassé, Marianne Kanaan, Celeste Delgado, Kosi Eze, Caroline ‘Lady C’ Fraser, Monica ‘Knives’ Fern, Judi Lopez, Jade Jager Clark, Karyin Qiu, Alexandra ‘Niyi’ Tauhid, Julia ‘Lock Julia’ Aldosh, Sandra ‘Iced Misto’ To, Madison ‘Mad C’ Cranston, Daniella Alfaro, Luna Lunatick Doan, Mandy ‘Doomgurl’ Sanchez Cruz, Abigail McEyeson, Abby ‘Crimson Gush’ Raj, Lexi Raj, Emma Cabrera Aragon, Patricia ‘Ponytail Patricia’ Gordon, Jessica ‘Pretzo’ Chiu, Ruhama Dechassa, Jamie-Lee Santos, Danica ‘Dizzy’ Dinero, Janine Joseph, Janelle Haye, Indica Cornish, Kathriel Rivera, Char Viorea, Geneva Lei, Manuela Villegas, Chawntay Barrett, Zayn Ojowo, King the Chihuahua