Are you an artist or filmmaker based in the Midlands? We’re inviting creative minds to bring Curiosity, Disruption and Joy to life through movement and film.

Inspired by our newly launched, 10-year strategy for dance, we are inviting dance artists and filmmakers to collaborate on a new commission responding to our curatorial values: Curiosity, Disruption and Joy.

dance moves people: a 10-year strategy sets out our commitments to the sector as the strategic dance agency in the Midlands. In it, we share how we will play our role in creating the conditions for dance to thrive and to celebrate this, we are inviting artists and/or film makers from the region to pitch for one of four possible film commissions.

This is an opportunity for three emerging to early career artists, and one early to mid-career artist to respond to the values:

• What do the words mean to you, as an artist; as a human?
• What do they make you think about, and how might others interpret them?

We’re looking to see how you’d respond to them through movement, music, or perhaps in a way we haven’t yet considered?

We want films that are thought provoking and impactful – something that gets people talking.

The selected, newly made films will be premiered as part of Applause Youth Dance Festival in April, 2026 before going on to regularly be showcased on our website, on our socials, and at our events, and more.

To find out more about the commissions, click the links below for the full brief and how to express your interest.