Pivoting Through the Lens: Sans Souci Festival of Dance Cinema's Journey in a (Post) Pandemic World
Abstract
This article explores how Sans Souci Festival of Dance Cinema responded to the challenges and possibilities of the COVID-19 pandemic, and how these adaptations shaped our plans for a “post-pandemic” world. In 2020, while shifting to virtual formats, the festival launched its first-ever Community Dance Film Project, This Breath Together, exploring the theme of resilience through diverse artistic voices. Amid logistical hurdles and safety constraints, the project maintained a strong collaborative spirit. Sans Souci also continued the international reach of its screenings with a fully online Brazilian edition, produced in partnership with Dançaberta Dance Group. Through inclusive screenings, live-translated lectures, and interactive artist panels, Sans Souci Brazil connected artists from all over the world, highlighting the work of Brazilian filmmakers. Locally, the festival embraced hybrid programming, from drive-in screenings in Boulder to academic collaborations and virtual Q&As that brought global perspectives to niche audiences. New film categories and platforms emerged, embracing experimental formats, youth creators, and VR/360 content. As the organization adapted and embraced new modes of producing and distributing screendance, Sans Souci used dance film as a tool for education, connection, and healing, something that continues to drive our efforts five years later. Beyond presenting dance cinema, we strive to serve as a community builder for artists, educators, and audiences worldwide.
How to Cite:
Bernier, M. & Conz, R., (2025) “Pivoting Through the Lens: Sans Souci Festival of Dance Cinema's Journey in a (Post) Pandemic World”, The International Journal of Screendance 15(1), 57-74. doi: https://doi.org/10.18061/screendance.7001
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