RAISING VOICES 2021

An ongoing platform for activism and expressions of identity through dance.

SFDFF’s ongoing platform for activism-based dance films, Raising Voices returns for the 2021 festival with more films that spark change through dance, music, and text. This year’s selections address topics including the Black Lives Matter movement, recovering from abuse, and the legacies of racist imagery.

Post-screening Q&A
Laura Elaine Ellis, SFDFF Programming and Community Outreach Director, moderates a discussion about the film Second Seed with co-directors and choreographers Amadi “Baye” Washington and Sam “Asa” Pratt.

Co-Presenter: Oakland Ballet

Program Info

Runtime: 76 minutes

October 15 - October 24

Venue: Streaming on Marquee TV

$8.99 / $45 (shorts pass) / $50 (festival pass)

Program Films

What I See

Still from What I See by Yoram Savion and Oakland Ballet dance film at SFDFF 2021
Conceived by Oakland-based Turf Feinz dancer Gary Morgan (aka Ice cold 3000) with guest appearances by Oakland Ballet company members, What I See poses the question how can a nation divided by bigotry and violence move forward towards a more equitable future?
Yoram Savion
Gary (aka Ice cold 3000), Morgan
Ballet / Hip-Hop/Street

WeAIghT

Still from WeAighT by Jennifer Archibald dance film at SFDFF 2021
WeAIghT examines the emotional impact of the Black Lives Matter movement during the 2020 protests in New York City
Jennifer Archibald
Jennifer Archibald
Contemporary

Wo

Still from Wo by Jiemin Yang dance film at SFDFF 2021
A short dance film exploring the internal struggle of a queer Chinese American immigrant dance artist living in New York City
Jiemin Yang
Jiemin Yang
Contemporary

Under the Skies Under the Heavens

Still from Under the Skies Under the Heavens by William Chan dance film at SFDFF 2021
A celebration of Oakland’s long tradition of rebellion against systemic racism and resistance to systemic oppression
William Chan
Algerion " The Krow" Bryant, William "Squid" Chan, Bonebreaking DJ, Weez, Shaka Perdue, Jashawn Foreman
Hip-Hop/Street

The Communion of White Dresses

Still from The Comunion of White Dresses by Laura Casteel dance film at SFDFF 2021
Choreographic work set to the poetry of the NC Poet Laureate, Jaki Shelton Green
Dr. Kristi V. Johnson
Dr. Kristi V. Johnson, Jaylun Moore
Contemporary

En la Tierra

Still from En La Tierra Gabriel Mata dance film at SFDFF 2021
A dance film about identity with Latinidad in art as the central focus
Gabriel Mata
Gabriel Mata
Contemporary

Woven

SFDFF Encore Shorts Woven Joe Mischo
In Woven, Shelley Bruce’s poetry combines with dance, and lyrical visuals in an ode to the abiding connection between womanhood and the natural world.
Joe Mischo
Stephanie Kim
Contemporary

Kim

Still from Kim by Maria Vattimo dance film at SFDFF 2021
Kim tells the story of Kimberly D. Landle, a professional ballet dancer based in Philadelphia
Maria Vattimo
Kimberly D. Landle
Ballet

Historians

Still from Historians by Akil McKenzie dance film at SFDFF 2021
A moving collage of spoken word, visual art, and a wide array of dance styles, Historians interrogates the African American experience and highlights the powerful resilience of a community under constant attack
Akil McKenzie
Akil McKenzie
Hip-Hop/Street

Second Seed

Second Seed Best Screendance Over 10min SFDFF 2021
Second Seed is a dance horror film responding to D.W. Griffith’s The Birth of a Nation
Baye & Asa
Baye & Asa
Contemporary