PROGRAM
CHEN by Orit Novak
Australia
Runtime: 21:00
Synopsis
‘CHEN’ tells the story of Chinese Australian dancer Chengwu Guo. Who at the age of 10 was thrown into the strict and rigorous training world of the Beijing Dance Academy. Whilst enduring long periods of time away from his family and being subjected to harsh training methods, Chen was moulded into a highly talented and daring artist. After winning a prestigious competition he migrated to Australia at the age of 16, quickly rising through the ranks to become one of Australia’s most highly acclaimed principal dancers. Now after meeting his partner Ako (also principal dancer of the Australian Ballet) and riding a continual wave of success he must face one of his greatest challenges yet; A career threatening injury that could force him to quit performing forever. Will this injury stop Chen, one of Australia’s best dancers, from reaching his physical and artistic peak?
Director Biography - Orit Novak
This is Orit’s debut documentary. She is a passionate storyteller and filmmaker and has worked tirelessly on this project for the past two years. Throughout the process she has been inspired by films such as ‘Dancer’, ‘Polina’ and ‘Mao’s Last Dancer’ and drew on these films frequently for inspiration. Apart from her love of documentary filmmaking she has also directed, edited and produced music videos and narrative short films. She enjoys all stages of the filmmaking process especially post production where she really feels the story comes together. Orit continues to seek out new and innovative ways of telling stories. With her unique passion for visual effects and keen eye for rhythm and editing she continues to improve her skills in all areas of filmmaking.
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All It Gives by Talia Woodland
Toronto, Canada
Runtime 15:00
Synopsis
Showcasing one of Toronto’s best up and coming Hiphop dancing stars, “All It Gives” follows the story of Kosi Eze, a Nigerian immigrant who moved to Canada when she was 14. Her transition to the country brought immense 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 Biography - Talia Woodland A professional dancer and filmmaker, Talia Woodland is a multi-media artist from Whitehorse, Yukon. Wearing many creative hats, she feels adept both in front of and behind the camera. A graduate of Humber College’s renowned Film & Television Production program, her foray into documentary filmmaking began with her as picture editor on the critically acclaimed short,“Stripped.” From there, she worked as a camera operator on several short film projects, which led to her role as Cinematographer on the short musical drama, “Lola Jones.” Talia is excited to be releasing her directorial debut, a hip-hop dance documentary entitled “All It Gives.” Her strong connection to the dance community comes from the work she has done with Borealis Soul, a multimedia dance and theatre company from Whitehorse Yukon. Her hard work at Humber earned her the 2019 Women in Film Award. A recent graduate, Talia is interning with celebrated Canadian filmmaker Liz Marshall and continuing her dance work with Borealis Soul. Talia is excited to continue working on diverse multimedia projects in Toronto, Whitehorse and beyond.
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Downstage by Stephanie Owens
United States
Runtime: 12:15
Synopsis
Ballet isn’t easy, and 11-year old Aedan knows it. As he prepares for his first solo ballet competition, full of blossoming drive, seasoned ballet professionals reflect on their own transformative journeys with ballet. Together, they process the challenges and rewards of this demanding art form.
Director Biography - Stephanie Owens
Stephanie Owens is a filmmaker with a background in experimental works, who is deeply invested in the documentary community. Owens graduated from the University of Virginia with a BA in Studio Art and went on to study in the Art and Film/ Video Programs at California Institute of the Arts where she earned her MFA. Traditionally, her works have been collaborations between herself and people she records, drawing attention to their relationship and the construction of the film. She is also interested in themes of placement and language. Her past work has explored how language is learned and how we use it to identify ourselves, our space, and each other. Owens continuously returns to her personal experience growing up in, and between two very different environments and strives to express what it means to be both here and there -- a part of and apart. Downstage is her first non-experimental documentary short.
PROGRAM
CHEN by Orit Novak
Australia
Runtime: 21:00
Synopsis
‘CHEN’ tells the story of Chinese Australian dancer Chengwu Guo. Who at the age of 10 was thrown into the strict and rigorous training world of the Beijing Dance Academy. Whilst enduring long periods of time away from his family and being subjected to harsh training methods, Chen was moulded into a highly talented and daring artist. After winning a prestigious competition he migrated to Australia at the age of 16, quickly rising through the ranks to become one of Australia’s most highly acclaimed principal dancers. Now after meeting his partner Ako (also principal dancer of the Australian Ballet) and riding a continual wave of success he must face one of his greatest challenges yet; A career threatening injury that could force him to quit performing forever. Will this injury stop Chen, one of Australia’s best dancers, from reaching his physical and artistic peak?
Director Biography - Orit Novak
This is Orit’s debut documentary. She is a passionate storyteller and filmmaker and has worked tirelessly on this project for the past two years. Throughout the process she has been inspired by films such as ‘Dancer’, ‘Polina’ and ‘Mao’s Last Dancer’ and drew on these films frequently for inspiration. Apart from her love of documentary filmmaking she has also directed, edited and produced music videos and narrative short films. She enjoys all stages of the filmmaking process especially post production where she really feels the story comes together. Orit continues to seek out new and innovative ways of telling stories. With her unique passion for visual effects and keen eye for rhythm and editing she continues to improve her skills in all areas of filmmaking.
----------
All It Gives by Talia Woodland
Toronto, Canada
Runtime 15:00
Synopsis
Showcasing one of Toronto’s best up and coming Hiphop dancing stars, “All It Gives” follows the story of Kosi Eze, a Nigerian immigrant who moved to Canada when she was 14. Her transition to the country brought immense 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 Biography - Talia Woodland A professional dancer and filmmaker, Talia Woodland is a multi-media artist from Whitehorse, Yukon. Wearing many creative hats, she feels adept both in front of and behind the camera. A graduate of Humber College’s renowned Film & Television Production program, her foray into documentary filmmaking began with her as picture editor on the critically acclaimed short,“Stripped.” From there, she worked as a camera operator on several short film projects, which led to her role as Cinematographer on the short musical drama, “Lola Jones.” Talia is excited to be releasing her directorial debut, a hip-hop dance documentary entitled “All It Gives.” Her strong connection to the dance community comes from the work she has done with Borealis Soul, a multimedia dance and theatre company from Whitehorse Yukon. Her hard work at Humber earned her the 2019 Women in Film Award. A recent graduate, Talia is interning with celebrated Canadian filmmaker Liz Marshall and continuing her dance work with Borealis Soul. Talia is excited to continue working on diverse multimedia projects in Toronto, Whitehorse and beyond.
----------
Downstage by Stephanie Owens
United States
Runtime: 12:15
Synopsis
Ballet isn’t easy, and 11-year old Aedan knows it. As he prepares for his first solo ballet competition, full of blossoming drive, seasoned ballet professionals reflect on their own transformative journeys with ballet. Together, they process the challenges and rewards of this demanding art form.
Director Biography - Stephanie Owens
Stephanie Owens is a filmmaker with a background in experimental works, who is deeply invested in the documentary community. Owens graduated from the University of Virginia with a BA in Studio Art and went on to study in the Art and Film/ Video Programs at California Institute of the Arts where she earned her MFA. Traditionally, her works have been collaborations between herself and people she records, drawing attention to their relationship and the construction of the film. She is also interested in themes of placement and language. Her past work has explored how language is learned and how we use it to identify ourselves, our space, and each other. Owens continuously returns to her personal experience growing up in, and between two very different environments and strives to express what it means to be both here and there -- a part of and apart. Downstage is her first non-experimental documentary short.
