Cape Verde Debuts First International Video Dance Festival
The vibrant intersection of movement and cinema is coming to Cape Verde this month. For the first time, the nation’s capital, Praia, will host an international video dance festival, showcasing 15 innovative works from across the Portuguese-speaking world and beyond.
A Fusion of Movement and Media
The UABÁ – International Video Dance Festival is an initiative by the Kontornu Platform designed to blur the boundaries between dance, cinema, and the performing arts. The festival officially kicks off on September 25 at the Portuguese Cultural Center in Praia with its flagship international exhibition, “SARACOTEIO – Dance on Screen.”
Organizers emphasize that video dance is more than just a recording of a performance. Instead, it is a unique genre where the camera, film editing, sound design, and the surrounding landscape serve as vital tools of artistic creation, equal to the choreography itself.
Global Partnerships and Cultural Exchange
The event is built on a foundation of international cooperation. Produced in partnership with Portugal’s Almada Dance Festival and Macau’s ROLLOUT Dance Film Festival, the exhibition will feature works from Cape Verde, Portugal, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, Brazil, and Macau.
The partnership aims to establish a robust network for artistic circulation, specifically targeting the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP). By building these bridges, the Kontornu Platform hopes to foster a continuous exchange of creative works between these diverse territories.
Vision for the Future
The festival is about more than just a single screening. Organizers have announced plans for professional training sessions and artistic residencies intended to sharpen the skills of Cape Verdean performers and technical crews.
In the long term, the Kontornu Platform aims to position Cape Verde as a central hub for video dance in Africa. By fostering collaborations with international festivals and institutions, the initiative seeks to turn the archipelago into a premier meeting point for digital performance art within the CPLP space.
Event Information
The screening is scheduled for 6:30 PM (8:30 PM in Lisbon) on September 25. Entry is free to the public, though reservations are required.
Image: Pexels – cottonbro studio
