Sans Souci Festival of Dance Cinema, SansSouciFest.org
6th Annual Black History Month Screening
available Feb 1-28, 2025
Given the times we’re living in, we’re delighted to once again be able to offer online screening options for those who may not want or be able to attend in-person events. These films are only available during the screening window, free of charge for the public around the world, except where noted otherwise (some films may be geographically restricted).

As part of our efforts to move toward a more racially just and socially equitable landscape for dance cinema, SSF has celebrated heritage months for the last few years with free screenings highlighting artists from communities underrepresented in the field, and from marginalized communities. Carrying on this tradition, Sans Souci presents our 6th annual Black History Month Screening, featuring the work of directors and dancers of color, as well as films that examine or celebrate the Black experience.
Tentative Program Below.

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Burn From The Inside, 2024, United Kingdom, 10 min

Directed by Mthuthuzeli November
Produced by Richard Bolton
Dancing by Ballet Black
Cinematography by Nauris Buksevics
Executive Producer by Cassa Pancho
Lighting Design by David Plater
"Burn from the Inside" is not your typical narrative work. It delves into the exploration of music and its origins, examining why we have an innate desire to dance or move when we hear music, sound, or voices. It seeks to understand the essence of what triggers our movements and the emotional responses evoked by music. - Mthuthuzeli November The profound question arises: why do certain things compel us to jump up and dance, while others make us want to sit back and do the opposite? The most significant realisation in this exploration is that from the very beginning, we were destined to be moved by sounds.

Waiting for the Bus, 2023, USA, 7 min

Directed by Beth Graczyk
Produced by Beth Graczyk Productions, Hilary & Robert Headlee Family
Dancing by Michael Wolfe
Music Composed by Aaron Gabriel
Edited by Hanne Vaughn
Written by Michael Wolfe
A short which features Michael Wolfe who identifies as "a black, queer performance artist with autism" offers insight into his daily life and inner world through movement, text, and song.

Door of No Return, 2024, United States, 16 min

Directed by Sylvia Solf, Suzanne Smith
Produced by Suzanne Smith, Nkosinathi Mncube
Dancing by Gregory Maqoma
Cinematography by Motheo Moeng
Edited by Annukka Lilja
Concept by Gregory Maqoma
A full body artist, Gregory Maqoma, navigates his own identity through a deeply personal narrative performed at House of Slaves on Goree Island, Senegal, a landmark to one of humanity’s most horrific journeys. Yearning for a way to move through past and present complexities, Gregory’s artistry breaks down walls and reframes history.

Home|Room, 2024, United States, 5 min

Directed by Keith Haynes
Produced by Michelle Bernier
Dancing by Vivian Kim, Jessica Bertram-Williams, Keith Haynes
Music Composed by Josh Torrison
Filmmaker: Jesse Rarick
I feel confined/stuck. In this home. In this room. In this mind. Confined to both psychological and physical space. Stuck in a continuous, never ending loop. Ever changing but staying the same. I feel confined…stuck in this Home/Room. This film was created as a part of Sans Souci Festival's Community Dance Film Project, with funding from the City of Boulder Arts & Culture.

F3VER, 2024, United States, 15 min

Directed by Irishia Hubbard Romaine
Choreography by Andrew 3D Dance Fever Jones
Music Composed by Dylan Romaine
Edited by Angel Castro, Irishia Hubbard Romaine
Executive Production by Kelly Hargraves
Movement Direction by Irishia Hubbard Romaine
"F3VER" follows the journey of Andrew "3D Dance Fever" Jones, a native of Bakersfield, CA, who defies societal expectations as a street dancer, high school substance abuse counselor, and globally recognized dance fitness instructor. As Andrew navigates the challenges of his hometown, he discovers the power of dance as a transformative tool, using its rhythms to overcome personal adversity and inspire others. Through movement-based scenes and heartfelt moments of reflection, the film shines a light on Andrew's resilience and showcases the universal language of dance as a means of healing, self-expression, and empowerment.

Organized Hope, 2024, United States, 6 min

Directed by Amy Seiwert
Produced by Amy Seiwert's Imagery
Choreography by Amy Seiwert
Dancing by James Gilmer
Music Composed by Daniel Bernard Roumain
Edited by Ben Estabrook, Amy Seiwert
Stopmotion by Aaron Kierbel
Libretto by Marc Bamuthi Joseph
Inspired by Kintsugi, the traditional Japanese craft of repairing broken ceramics using lacquer mixed with gold and the belief that something can be more beautiful through the stresses endured. Seiwert asked herself: coming out of an era that broke many of us, can we be re-formed? Can we create something both stronger and more beautiful?
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