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Opening Screening: Where We Dwell

  • SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts 149 West Hastings Street Vancouver, BC, V6B 1H4 Canada (map)

From Landscapes: Love Letters to Willow by Shay Erlich

Opening Screening: Where We Dwell
Friday November 8 at 7:00pm - 9:30pm PST

With Live Talkback Facilitated by Erin Lum
Location: SFU - Djavad Mowafaghian Theatre, 3rd floor
Doors: 6:30pm PST

Opening the festival, Where We Dwell is an ode to how movement exists within us, takes us to new places, and brings us together. 

Movement sparks journeys that come alive through the lens of a camera. It is a vessel for introspection, for experimenting with process and form, and for redefining space and our bodies’ relationship to it. On this common ground we find the intimacy and beauty of being held in community. Join us in witnessing films that showcase the voices of artists across so-called Canada, marking a vibrant and dynamic moment in movement-on-screen.

Screening Advisory: 
This screening features films with topics that may be challenging to some viewers. If applicable, content warnings are listed under individual films and a 20-second content warning slide will notify audiences during the screening. We encourage you to prioritize your comfort during the screening; find more in the Accessibility section of this Program Guide.

Accessibility Measures for this Event

Mask Mandate

Throughout the festival wearing masks is highly encouraged for all events when possible as a practice of collective community care. With the festival taking place during the peak of flu season, we strive to be able to gather in groups while being mindful of our own and others’ health needs. We will have masks available on site throughout the festival. For events with smaller gathering spaces air purifiers will be on site to assist with providing clean air and circulation. We are encouraging Masks by:

  • All staff will be wearing masks throughout the entirety of the festival events, only when we are speaking on a stage at a distance from folks during speeches/talkbacks will we remove our masks to help support our ASL interpreters and lip readers

  • Printed signage will be posted throughout our event spaces, as well as included in our screening slides that play on loop prior to the start of each screening stating "Masks Highly Encouraged"

  • We will have volunteers stationed before our box office and will be handing out masks to each individual who enters the space

  • Currently we have surgical masks available for audiences, and are in the process of trying to secure more masks that are either N95 or KN95 (we currently do not have these confirmed)

** ASL Interpretation for opening speeches + talkback
** English closed captioning is included in films with on-screen dialogue spoken
** There will not be air purifiers at this event — we highly encourage attendees to wear masks to help maintain a comfortable and safe environment.
** Stim Toys will be available to borrow

List of Films:

Kite
Virginia Duivenvoorden (Vancouver, BC) EMERGING
Vancouver Premiere

BOSSY: An Ode to Women in Street Dance
Glo Romy (Toronto, ON) EMERGING
Vancouver Premiere

INTERMISSION (10 mins)

Landscapes: Love Letters to Willow
Shay Erlich (Toronto, ON) EMERGING
Canadian Premiere

Judas Icarus Twists His Wrist
Kerr Holden (Vancouver, BC) EMERGING

Thân Thể Rừng Thiêng (Landscape of Our Body)
cát nguyên and Trâm Anh Nguyễn (Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam) YOUTH

Speaking the Language
Eunice Faye Dionisio (Calgary, AB) YOUTH
Vancouver Premiere

Surviving Silence
Fareh Malik (Toronto, ON) EMERGING
Vancouver Premiere

Versus, Versus, Verses
Gabrielle Tyrie (Toronto, ON) YOUTH
Vancouver Premiere

your land cries for you
Niya Ahmed Abdullahi (Toronto, ON) YOUTH
Canadian Premiere

No Less Asian
Melissa Lam (Vancouver, BC) YOUTH

You Feel Me?
Roya DelSol (Toronto, ON) EMERGING
World Premiere

Click the arrows on the right to swipe through the films:

Opening Screening: Where We Dwell
Speaking the Language
Speaking the Language

Eunice Faye Dionisio (Calgary, AB) YOUTH
Vancouver Premiere
Duration: 2:35

In Ballroom, Vogue movement is a language. We communicate with each other through the intricacies of our hands and the techniques we learned from our teachers in Ballroom. Storytelling is a huge part of it all and is used to connect to your peers and competitors, creating a community that allows for intimacy and togetherness.

Director, Cinematographer, Editor: Mat Harvey
Producer: Eunice Faye Dionisio
Dancers: Eunice Faye Dionisio, Shandie Ta, Justin Larioza, Roubert Dilidili
Jewelry: Brat Beadz
Music: "I Wanna Dance" by Artem Uzunov

Versus, Versus, Verses
Versus, Versus, Verses

Gabrielle Tyrie (Toronto, ON) YOUTH
Vancouver Premiere
Duration: 7:03

Inspired by the etymology of the word “versus”, “Versus, Versus, Verses” is a two-channel video combining dance, film and poetry. From the metaphorical to the literal the whole universe is whirring and turning. Using the visual motif of a spiral, artist and filmmaker, Gabrielle Tyrie and dancer Abdulla Hassan, collect the ways in which you can dance and render a turning system. 

Director, Writer, Narrator: Gabrielle Tyrie
Performer: Abdulla Hassan
Music: Sierra Weston and Gabrielle Tyrie

Surviving Silence
Surviving Silence

Fareh Malik (Toronto, ON) EMERGING
Vancouver Premiere
Duration: 6:34
Content warning: Mentions of mental illness (depression), flashing lights

“Surviving Silence” is a short film exploring the link between silence and depression, and how dance can be not just an escape from that, but a beautiful way to persevere. The film showcases an array of dance styles housed under Fareh Malik's poetic narration.

Director and Editor: Ian Simon
Writer: Fareh Malik
Producer: Safa Ali Mudei
DOP: Jerome Riel
Cast: Josh Cezar, Nadia Ruffieux, Praveeni Rasiah, Tariq Chin

your land cries for you
your land cries for you

Niya Ahmed Abdullahi (Toronto, ON) YOUTH
Canadian Premiere
Duration: 7:45

Lost in a trance between conversations of the past, old worlds, and alternative realities. Marium is called for prayer during this journey home. Alas she tries, to find, her place.

Director, Writer, Producer: Niya Ahmed Abdullahi
Editor, Sound Design: Ella Saini
Director of Photography: Rividu Mendis
First AC: Isaac Tang
Colourist: Tarneem Allati
Starring: Marium Zakaria, Zeynab Neguse

No Less Asian
No Less Asian

Melissa Lam (Vancouver, BC) YOUTH
Duration: 1:36

“No Less Asian” explores the struggles and triumphs of being a 2nd Generation Asian-Canadian, portrayed through the medium of dance.

In honor of this year's AANHPI History Month in May, I wanted to showcase the rich diversity of the Asian-Canadian experience through the art of dance. As a Chinese-Canadian who grew up in Singapore and later moved to Vancouver, I faced my own challenges in navigating my cultural identity. Today, I feel more grounded and embrace my multicultural heritage. Dance provides a vibrant way to celebrate our unique stories, connect with our roots, and build a shared understanding with others.

Director, Editor, Mix Media Artist: Melissa Lam
Producer: Ann Dinh
DP, Cam Op: Stefan Feldmann
Post Supervisor: Bronwyn Davies
Sound Designer: Adam Johnson
Colorist: Tyson Rider
Designer: Andy Burdin

You Feel Me?
You Feel Me?

Roya DelSol (Toronto, ON) EMERGING
World Premiere
Duration: 5:31
Content warning: Strobe lighting

“You Feel Me?” is a dance film that explores themes of isolation, longing and touch through the expression of Black femme sensuality. Drawing upon the experience of dancing alone in one’s room — a rare instance of a “safe space” in Black life — “You Feel Me?” asks, “How do you move in solitude?” 

Dancers circumnavigate brutalist architecture, columns, glitches, and frames, bridging these separations through intuitive movement. Through these motions, “You Feel Me?” attempts to embody the haunting that can result from our desire for closeness, love and understanding.

“You Feel Me?” both celebrates queer femme sensuality, as well as the ways that Black queer femmes see, reach out to, and care for each other. (Against all odds—even when nobody else does—we got us.)

Director: Roya DelSol
Choreographer, Creative Director: Jessica Karuhanga
Cinematographer: Morgana McKenzie
Producer: Fonna Seidu
Dancers: Jessica Karuhanga, Kim Ninkuru, Jennille Seedial, Chason Yeboah
Costume Design: Shaya Ishaq 
Music Composition: Jessica Karuhanga & Emilio Portal

Kite
Kite

Virginia Duivenvoorden (Vancouver, BC) EMERGING
Vancouver Premiere
Duration: 6:03
Content warning: Thunder and lighting

This piece was developed by Virginia as an interdisciplinary piece. The dance was choreographed in collaboration with the performer. The film is directed by Jerry Trieus. The performance centers around a character who has a mission to experience flight through kiting. The journey is filled with challenges leading to a transformation from the kite as the object of flight to the human body as the dancer achieves a sense of flight through movement.

The piece included audience engagement through workshops to create art for the film. The art projects are windsocks created by the community. The art offers a more multi- sensory experience to the dances and also serves as additional access points to the choreography. The use of tulle is repeated from Virginia’s previous works investigating the fabric and a prop reminiscent of a cloud.

Choreographer: Virginia Duivenvoorden
Director: Jerry Trieus
Performer and Assistant Choreographer: Brynne Harper
Composer: Sarah Blair
Supported by: The Dance Centre
In association with: PHT Creative Hub

BOSSY: An Ode to Women in Street Dance
BOSSY: An Ode to Women in Street Dance

Glo Romy (Toronto, ON) EMERGING
Vancouver Premiere
Duration: 3:41

Created by an all woman cast & crew, BOSSY is an energetic short film that celebrates the women in Toronto’s street dance community. The film highlights different generations with styles ranging from Hip Hop, Popping, Locking, Waacking, Breaking, and Krump. Glo Romy, the director of the film, is a Hip Hop dancer from Toronto who has battled across the city as well as having proudly repp’d abroad. The film is 4 minutes long and premiered in March 2024, in honour of Women’s History Month.

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

Landscapes: Love Letters to Willow
Landscapes: Love Letters to Willow

Shay Erlich (Toronto, ON) EMERGING
Canadian Premiere
Duration: 8:04

A creative reimagining of the movement potential of Downsview Park in Toronto, through Shay Erlich’s provocative and revelatory contemporary dance. Landscapes: Love Letters to Willow celebrates the disability joy of being visible as a non-binary wheelchair user in a world where disability itself is often rendered invisible.

Co-Director, Dancer: Shay Erlich
Co-Director: Simeon Taole
Executive Producer: Cecilia Garcia
Producer: Danielle Ungara
Dramaturg: Zita Nyarady
Sound Design & Composition: Charlie Petch

Judas Icarus Twists His Wrist
Judas Icarus Twists His Wrist

Kerr Holden (Vancouver, BC) EMERGING
Duration: 13:30
Content warning: Violence, images of bone related injuries, blood, strobing images.

When Vancouver based pro-wrestler Judas Icarus sustains a dramatic injury, he must go through the arduous process of recovery so he can continue his practice in staged combat. This small portrait of Judas Icarus is expressed not through a continuity of events, but through the human touch, forms of light, and repeated movements which surround his recovery. 

The body houses every experience we endure. With "Judas Icarus Twists His Wrist", I aimed to make an experimental action film which explores this concept through the sensorial experience projected light, flickering images, and moving pictures can deliver to a body.

Director, Producer, Editor: Kerr Holden
Starring: Judas Icarus, Sho Blunderfield, Travis Williams
Cinematographers: Suz Friesen, Jessica Johnson, Ryan Ermacora, Kerr Holden
Camera Assistant: Sidney Gordon
Assistant Directors: Phoebe Parsons, Karan Sandhu
Sound Design and Re-recording Mix: Mark Dolmont

Thân Thể Rừng Thiêng (Landscape of Our Body)
Thân Thể Rừng Thiêng (Landscape of Our Body)

cát nguyên and Trâm Anh Nguyễn (Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam) YOUTH
Duration: 18:24
Content warning: Mention of violence, displacement

As queer trans and gender non-conforming children of the Vietnamese diaspora, society displaces us from not only a sense of belonging to our ancestral land, but also our own bodies.

Yet these bodies of ours are the vessels we sail to embark on a lifetime voyage of return to our original selves. It is our bodies that navigate the treacherous tides of normative systems that impose themselves on our very being. And it is our bodies that act as community lighthouses for collective liberation.

Ultimately, the landscape of our bodies is our blueprint to remembering, to healing, to blooming.

Director, Cinematographer, Producer, Voices Performer: Trâm Anh Nguyễn 
Writer, Lead Cast, Producer, Voices Performer: cát nguyên
Music Composer & Sound Designer: Trần Quốc Thịnh

Venue Accesibility:

SFU Goldcorp Centre
149 W Hastings St
Vancouver, BC, V6B 1H7
Djavad Mowafaghian Theatre: 3rd floor

Wheelchair accessible at street level on Hastings side or via ramp on Cordova Street Courtyard side, all venues within building accessible by elevator

The building is accessible at street level on the Hastings side or via a ramp on the Cordova Street Courtyard side (across from JJ Bean Coffee).

There are 2 ramp entry points:

  • One is located against the building, near the entrance to the Woodward’s Westbank Atrium (which houses London Drugs and Nesters)

  • Another is located against the building, beside the alley.

Both the Hastings doors and the Cordova Courtyard doors can be operated by accessibility buttons located beside the doorways.

The building is a ten-minute walk from Waterfront Station, where the Skytrain, Seabus and Westcoast Express meet; city buses run directly from this hub to the Hastings Street entrance. If approaching via the Stadium-Chinatown Station on Skytrain's Expo-Millenium line, the walk to SFU's Goldcorp Centre for Arts is five minutes.

For more information about our accessibility measures, visit our FAQ page.

Earlier Event: November 8
Public Screens
Later Event: November 9
FORMations