SSF @ Ursinus 2025

part of the Ursinus Fringe Festival

  • September 4, 2025
  • 7:15pm screening in the Berman Art Museum
  • part of the Ursinus Fringe Festival
  • free of charge for members of the Ursinus College community
a wide shot of two dancers - one in a black suit and one in a peach dress - stand facing each other near the edge of a roof

Sans Souci is teaming up with Ursinus College for our 11th annual collaboration! The films selected – listed below – represent some of our favorite films from last year’s new submissions. The work of these nine filmmakers from around the world includes numerous dance forms and film styles, from ballet to hip hop and from narrative to abstract. Open to the public and offered for the Ursinus College community, this beginner-friendly program is a great first step into the world of dance cinema!

Ursinus College logo
Berman Museum of Art
601 E. Main St
Collegeville, PA 19426

program of films

This screening runs approximately 60 minutes.

an overhead shot of a shirtless dark skinned man wearing a extremely long dark green vinyl skirt and lying on his back

Organized Hope

2024 / United States / 6 min

Directed by Amy Seiwert
Produced by Amy Seiwert’s Imagery
Choreography by Amy Seiwert
Dancing by James Gilmer
Music Composed by Daniel Bernard Roumain
Edited by Ben Estabrook, Amy Seiwert
Stopmotion by Aaron Kierbel
Libretto by Marc Bamuthi Joseph

Inspired by Kintsugi, the traditional Japanese craft of repairing broken ceramics using lacquer mixed with gold and the belief that something can be more beautiful through the stresses endured. Seiwert asked herself: coming out of an era that broke many of us, can we be re-formed? Can we create something both stronger and more beautiful?

a closeup of the face of a dark skinned man with long, thin dreadlocks, smiling mouth open

F3VER

2024 / United States / 15 min

documentary

Directed by Irishia Hubbard Romaine
Choreography by Andrew 3D Dance Fever Jones
Movement Direction by Irishia Hubbard Romaine
Edited by Angel Castro, Irishia Hubbard Romaine
Colorist Irishia Hubbard Romaine
Music Composed by Dylan Romaine
Sound Engineer Fabian Vasquez Euresti
Grip Jacob Vega
Production Assistant Eric (Earthworm) Penella
Executive Producer Kelly Hargraves

F3VER follows the journey of Andrew “3D Dance Fever” Jones, a native of Bakersfield, CA, who defies societal expectations as a street dancer, high school substance abuse counselor, and globally recognized dance fitness instructor. As Andrew navigates the challenges of his hometown, he discovers the power of dance as a transformative tool, using its rhythms to overcome personal adversity and inspire others. Through movement-based scenes and heartfelt moments of reflection, the film shines a light on Andrew’s resilience and showcases the universal language of dance as a means of healing, self-expression, and empowerment.

a wide shot of two dancers - one in a black suit and one in a peach dress - stand facing each other near the edge of a roof

If I Were You

2024 / United States / 9 min

first-time filmmaker

Directed by Margot Gelber, Rebecah Goldstone
Produced by Jessie Lee Thorne
Dancing by Marlie Couto, Jessie Lee Thorne

In If I Were You a couple shares an oscillating dance of intention and disruption–their movements a continuous exchange of support and potential peril, pushing them toward self-discovery. Falling into known patterns, but desperate to shift, they beckon and reject each other, careening toward togetherness. This is a slow, exhausting, mesmerizing dance, steeped in the unknown, where souls wait patiently to be held, released, and resolved.

a light skinned woman with short blond hair wearing a black tuxedo squats powerfully on a vast landscape of sand and points off frame

Not Now

2024 / United Kingdom / 4 min

Directed by Joshua Molony, Loughlan Prior
Produced by Milou-Mai Law
Choreography by Loughlan Prior
Dancing by Rebecca Bassett Graham
Cinematography by Joshua Molony
Edited by Joshua Molony, Loughlan Prior

watch the trailer

A dance film starring Rebecca Bassett Graham (of Company Wayne McGregor) about climate change and the consequences of our inaction. Filmed on the Norfolk coast.

blurred from motion, a dancer in a suit flies across the frame, limbs outstretched

Maestro

2024 / / 3 min

Directed by Manas Sirakanyan
Produced by Manas Sirakanyan
Dancing by Dmitry Kolokolnokov

A pianist’s fantasy. Rachmaninoff’s masterpiece interpreted as a b-boy round.

a light skinned woman in a storage facility tilts her head back, arms reaching up

Fraudulations

2023 / France / 4 min

Directed by Clara Lie & Caroline Grimprel
Dancing by Amalia Salle
Music Composed by Léo Agapitos
Cinematography by Fabio Caldironi
Edited by Laura Parade
Written by Clara Lie & Caroline Grimprel
Acting by Nina Perrin

Sonia works for a cubicle rental company. Her passionless job chains her to a soulless screen where she mechanically executes tasks under the trance of neon lights, lost in the shadows of corporate servitude. When a fraudulent call triggers the void of her work station, Sonia’s pent-up frustration erupts, unleashing a storm of chaos, It’s the breaking point she’s been waiting for. Fraudulations humorously explores her descent into madness, through the endless, winding corridors of her workplace propelled by an uplifting soundtrack.

a dark haired woman in ballet clothing sits on the floor, hands resting on her ankles

Prima: Elisa Carrillo Cabrera

2023 / Germany / 10 min

documentary

Directed by Veronika Pokoptceva
Produced by Veronika Pokoptceva, Mikhail Kaniskin
Dancing by Elis Carrillo Cabrera
Music Composed by Rafael Prado, Alexey Kochetkov
Cinematography by Jan Boroewitsch, Athena Carmazzi
Edited by Veronika Pokoptceva, Tom Gregory Janson
Sound by Rafael Prado, Effy Cerutti, Benjamin Zappi-Giannotti

Thousands of hours of exhausting work for three minutes of fame. One day in the life of Elisa Carrillo Cabrera, principal dancer of the Staatsballett Berlin. From early morning, strenuous training and rehearsals fill her day. She has to be even better than yesterday, despite pain and fatigue, to go on the stage in the evening and be a Prima. Learn more about the film.

a light skin woman with dyed orange hair contorts her right arm behind her head, left arm gripping her right elbow

A Movement Deeper Than Dancing

2024 / France / 2 min

Directed by Katya Mokolo
Produced by Katya Mokolo
Choreography by Madaline Madlinez Riley
Featuring Madaline Madlinez Riley
Music Composed by Axel Guenoun
Edited by Thomas Penot
First AC Bill Fabre

A short documentary centered on Madaline Riley’s poem, reflecting her journey through dance and art. As a multi-faceted artist, Madaline blends her movements in krump, dance, and painting, seeking an expression that elevates the soul.

a ballet dancer in green body paint and green tutu poses between two sets of ballet dancers en point wearing extravagant pink dragon costumes

Hong Kong Ballet Tutu Academy

2024 / Hong Kong & United States / 3 min

Directed by Dean Alexander
Featuring Hong Kong Ballet
Creative & Art Direction by Pum Lefebure
Choreography & Artistic Direction by Septime Webre

At Tutu Academy, where tutus are the uniform, students of all characters (geeks to goths) express themselves through ballet—and bizarro hair. One odd day, a UFO lands and an alien enters the classroom. Eager to connect with the visitor who doesn’t speak earthly language, the teacher starts a dance conversation—followed by the entire class. At first, the alien struggles to learn the artful language, until he’s gifted a magical tutu. With fresh confidence, the green-hued stranger joyfully joins the dancing crew.