Sibikwa Arts Centre Body Moves International Inclusive Dance Festival 2025 Programme

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EVERY BODY MOVES

Body Moves 2025, with the support of the Delegation of Flanders in Southern Africa and the Embassy of Ireland, South Africa – returns for its 4th edition with a bold invitation: to experience inclusive performance as both powerful art and cultural transformation.

This year, artists from across the globe come together to push the boundaries of how we create, collaborate and occupy space.

Through dance, film and conversation, the festival highlights disability-led artistry as a force redefining not just movement, but the politics of visibility and belonging. Here, access is innovation. Every element – from hybrid formats to inclusive aesthetics – is designed to expand how audiences experience art and how artists assert authorship. Body Moves 2025 treats access as a creative engine, opening new ways of making, sharing and imagining.

Crossing borders and disciplines, the festival creates space for artists whose work reaches far beyond performance. Their practices reshape how communities participate in culture and challenge us to build more open, generous and inclusive futures.

PROGRAMME

HYBRID LIVESTREAM CONVERSATION – BODIES IN SPACE & PLACE

@The Bioscope, Johannesburg and on Sibikwa Arts Centre Facebook Page | 30 Nov, 4:15 – 5:15pm SAST

Moderator: Kgomotso Mashilo-Radebe | Filmmaker, Managing Director at Thatbroern Pictures | South Africa

Palesa Ratsomo | Talent Manager, Kalu Media | South Africa

Thapelo Kotlolo | Inclusive Dance Performer & Choreographer | South Africa

Julia Reist | (Inter)national Support for Performing Arts | Flanders Arts Institute | Flanders

Cindy Cummings | Inclusive Arts Practitioner | Republic of Ireland

Eve Mutso | Principle Ballerina, former Principal Dancer of Scottish Ballet & Performer in 111 | Estonia

Riina Hannuskela | Inclusive Arts Practitioner and Researcher | Finland

FILM SCREENINGS

@The Bioscope, Johannesburg and on Sibikwa Arts Centre Facebook Page | 30 Nov, 5:15 – 6pm SAST

@KAAP, Ghent | 5 – 7 Dec

ONEHUNDEREDANDELEVEN (111), dir. George Bushaway, performed by Eve Mutso & Joel Brown | 21 mins | UK

With 111 imagined vertebrae between them, Eve Mutso and Joel Brown move through a striking exchange of strength and vulnerability. “111” is a poetic duet between two exceptional dancers that explore connection, support and physical possibility, Eve and Joel move through a striking exchange of strength and vulnerability.

GEN Z TRILOGY, dir.  Kati Kallio, featuring Sofia Johansson, Minttu Heinonen, and Vappu Virkkula | 17 mins | Finland

Three short dance films. Three young performers. One generation in motion. Together, Sininen, MustA and Pinkki form a vibrant portrait of Gen Z artists defining their own identities through movement, collaboration and a refusal to be boxed in.

LIVE PERFORMANCE | Performed by Thapelo Kotlolo, Jabu Vilakazi, Keaoleboga Seodigeng & Lethabo Shai

@The Bioscope, Johannesburg | 30 Nov, 6pm SAST

WORKSHOPS

On Sibikwa Arts Centre Facebook Page | 2 – 6 December

Global choreographers and arts facilitators share a short pre-recorded session on inclusive practice technique. Workshops led by:

  • Nadine Mckenzie, Unmute Dance Company (South Africa)
  • Benjamin Vandewalle, inclusive dance performer at KAAP (Flanders)
  • Cindy Cummings, inclusive dance choreographer (Republic of Ireland)
  • Joel Brown, dancer and performer in 111 (USA)
  • Thapelo Kotlolo, dancer and choreographer (South Africa)