We are pleased to announce that the dance film ‘Cultivate’ has won Best Short Form Short Film at the Experimental, Dance & Music Film Festival 2023 and Best Experimental Short at London International Short Film Festival 2023.
A collaboration between BDN and Dance Film director Sima Gonsai, ‘Cultivate’ responds to localised climate research about soil health focusing on soil toxic inheritance, farming practices and soil preservation. Released last winter the film has received great feedback as it intricately uses movement to question the relationship between humans and the earth under our feet through the lens of a climate crisis.
Sima Gonsai, director of ‘Cultivate’ commented: “I was looking for a partner organisation and wanted to strengthen the collaboration with moving director Karen Wood so BDN was the best fit. The team supported in capturing the making of the film with social media strategy and coordinated the digital and live premiere at COP 27 in Birmingham. Their knowledge combined with digital training from The Space was invaluable.“
Told through combining South Asian dance and film, ‘Cultivate’ highlights the human interconnectivity of soil and celebrates soil ecosystems.
It features two female dancers, filmed in high winds and warm temperatures for the time of year, grounding themselves in soil and ritual.
The toxic and destructive farming process, the frantic urgency needed to sustain the environment and the intimate inter-webbing of roots that form connections in nature and humankind are inexorably enmeshed in this cinematic artwork.
A collaboration between Birmingham Dance Network and director Sima Gonsai.
Partners: The Space https://www.thespace.org/
Flatpack Film Festival https://flatpackfestival.org.uk/
Supported using public funding from The Space and Arts Council England.
