Led by dancefilm maker/Founder & Executive-Artistic Director Kelly Hargraves, Dance Camera West recently released the dates and venues of the 26th season of the world-renowned Los Angeles–based Festival. Opening on Thursday, January 22 and running through Sunday, January 25, 2026, the performances will include a Gala Retrospective and Tribute to dancer, choreographer and filmmaker David Roussève; the Alonzo King documentary O R I G I N S, the LA premiere of Bobbi Jene Smith and or Shcraiber’s WAITING PLACES; a screening, book launch and workshop centered on the work of experimental filmmaker Shirley Clarke plus the screening of 40+ dance films submitted to the festival, all making their World, North American, US and LA premieres. Venues include the elegant Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz in West LA (Jan. 22-24), Colburn’s Zipper Hall in DTLA (Jan. 24.) and The Philosophical Research Society in Los Feliz (Jan. 25.).
The DCW2026 press release information:
DCW2026 will present four days of boundary-pushing dance films, conversations, workshops and community gatherings across Los Angeles, with events at Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz (10361 West Pico Blvd. in West LA), Colburn’s Zipper Hall (200 South Grand Ave in DTLA) and the Philosophical Research Society (3910 Los Feliz Blvd in Silver Lake/Los Feliz).
Six curated film programs will include over 40 short and documentary dance films by U.S. and international artists making their World, North American, West Coast, or Los Angeles premieres.
Special Programs include presentations focused on America’s iconic dance filmmakers Shirley Clarke and David Roussève, new selections in the LA POPS UP program of L.A. based choreographers, curated by Kitty McNamee|Hysterica, and a workshop, lecture, and book launch of “Thinking through Movement” with Australian author, filmmaker, and Professor Karen Pearlman.
Doc Day Afternoon will feature a presentation of the documentary O R I G I N S about choreographer Alonzo King, with post screening discussion with the filmmaker and company members moderated by Loyola/Colburn professor and author Jill Nunes Jensen, plus an Australian short doc celebrating 110 year old modern dancer Eileen Kramer.
Strayhorn – David Roussève – Photo by Rose Eichenbaum.
DCW2026 Schedule
Opening Night Program:
Thursday, January 22, 2026 7:30 pm @Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz (TRK).
Stories and Tales, a selection of short international films and a Gala Tribute to Dance Icon David Roussève with a Film Retrospective, Talk Back & Gala Reception to follow.
Four films by David Roussève include Bittersweet, Chili Pepper, Two Seconds After Laughter, and Pull Your Head to the Moon.
Following the Screening and Talk Back guests are invited to step onto the stage of TRK for a one-of-a-kind Gala honoring David for his remarkable artistic vision and impact in the field of dance and dance film. Surrounded by the magic of film, guests will enjoy an intimate evening with live music, sumptuous food and bar surrounded by the energy usually reserved for performers. Tickets are priced at $150, with pass holder discount available. The event begins with a selection of films from festival submissions.
Dreams Decent – Sara Gouveia, Inka Kendzia, Gregory Maqoma | South Africa – Still courtesy of DCW.
Second Night:
Friday, January 23, 2026 7:30 pm @Théâter Raymond Kabbaz
Short Films from Around the World Defying Language Barriers
A selection of 15 short experimental dance films including a francophone film focus with work from France, Québec, and Belgium, plus an international selection of films from Finland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Korea, Mexico, Netherlands, Russia, and Spain.
Dance to the End – Directed by Sue Healey – 100 year old Eileen Kramer – Still courtesy of DCW.
Day three – Doc Day Afternoon:
Saturday, January 24, 2026 2:00 pm @Théâter Raymond Kabbaz, WEST LA
DANCE TO THE END (Sue Healey, 21 mins. Australia)
Eileen Kramer was a force of nature, an Australian dancer, choreographer, artist, and writer – born in 1914 and still making art until her death on 15 November 2024 at the age of 110. Kramer was the last connection to the legendary European choreographer Gertrud Bodenwieser, whose work in Australia had a profound effect on the young Eileen—she would join the Bodenwieser Ballet in Sydney in the 1940s. Kramer traveled the world for 60 years as a dancer and writer, living in India, Pakistan, Paris, New York and West Virginia, before returning home to Sydney at the age of 99. Her 10th decade was incredibly prolific with many choreographies, three books, four films, and performances in theatre and TV.
Alonzo King – Photo courtesy of DCW.
O R I G I N S (Drea Cooper, 31 min, USA) followed by a discussion with Alonzo King company members and the film’s director Drea Cooper, moderated by author Jill Nunes Jensen.
A cinematic odyssey into the heart and mind of world-renowned choreographer Alonzo King, offering an intimate look at his creative process and his profound belief in the limitless potential of the human spirit. Through his visionary company, Alonzo King LINES Ballet, dance becomes more than movement—it is a language of wisdom and transformation. With breathtaking artistry, King and his dancers break physical, emotional, and cultural barriers, revealing how movement transcends boundaries to create a universal connection. More than a film about dance, O R I G I N S is a meditation on what it means to be human.
Also on day three – Centerpiece Program:
Saturday, January 24, 2026, 7 pm @Zipper Hall, Colburn, DTLA
ORIGIN – Tony Testa, Keean Johnson -Screenshot courtesy of DCW.
LA POPS UP films followed by Filmmaker Discussion
The eclectic lineup celebrates a vibrant mix of styles spanning contemporary, hip-hop, poppin’, jazz, and more, reflecting the multicultural social fabric of LA. This dynamic program is a rare opportunity to see the raw, disruptive, and authentic artistry of LA dance filmmakers together in a cinematic setting. Many of these creatives have worked behind-the-scenes on major film, TV, and music projects, from iconic shows like Euphoria and Pose, to musical artists such as Rihanna, Björk, and The Weeknd. Featured artists include visionaries Tony Testa, The Seaweed Sisters, Bret Easterling and Julia Eichen, along with other L.A. choreographers shaping the future of performance on screen.
WAITING PLACES by Or Schraiber and Bobbi Jene Smith – Photo by Jiannick Bourleum.
Waiting Places (57 mins. Bobbi Jene Smith & Or Schraiber, USA)
The newest film from these dance luminaries, adapted from a live piece of the same name, explores the intersection of time, desire, and connection as five individuals inhabit a room, bound by the act of waiting. This special presentation offers a chance to see work by these critically acclaimed artists whose work on stage and in film, ranges from live works for companies like Paris Opera Ballet, Royal Danish Ballet, Ballet BC, GöteborgsOperans Danskompani, and upcoming films like Terrence Malick’s The Way of the Wind (2025), and Maggie Gyllenhaal’s The Bride (2026).
Final Day – Experimental Experts:
Sunday, January 25, 2026 2:00 pm @ The Philosophical Research Society, Los Feliz
EMBODIED FILMMAKING with Karen Pearlman: Screening of Six films by Shirley Clark; Book Launch/Discussion and Workshop
On the occasion of the publication of Shirley Clarke: Thinking Through Movement (2025; Edinburgh University Press), DCW, Philosophical Research Society and Los Angeles Film Forum welcome writer/director Karen Pearlman, to discuss this book and present a screening of films by pioneering filmmaker Shirley Clarke.
Shirley Clarke with a Portapak camera – Photo courtesy of DCW.
Eight films will be screened:
Dance in the Sun (6:47, 1953) featuring choreographer/dancer Daniel Nagrin
In Paris Parks, (13:36, 1954 /2014) featuring Wendy Clarke at age 4
A Moment in Love (9:08, 1957), choreographed by Anna Sokolow
A Visual Diary (6:06, 1980), featuring Choreographer-Performer Blondell Cummings
Butterfly (3:40, 1967), an anti-war protest film with Wendy Clark
One-2-3, 24 (8:18, 1978), featuring former Bella Lewitsky dancer Lynda Davis and Clay Taliaferro (Duke Professor Emeritus)
24 Frames Per Second (2:57, 1977) commissioned by the LACMA to complement an exhibit on Persian art
Skyscraper (21:05, 1959), a documentary re-imagined as a musical.
WORKSHOP: Concepts, Cuts and Shirley Clarke led by Karen Pearlman
A 3-hour interactive workshop to develop creative ideas. Participate in a series of embodied exercises designed to catalyze concepts, images, sounds, movement motifs, structures, and rhythms for new screen dance works. Excerpts and examples of key cinematic moments from films directed and edited by Shirley Clarke will be jumping off points for exploring ideas in motion and editing as a generative art. Workshop leader Karen Pearlman will bring core principles from her recent books – ‘Cutting Rhythms: Creative Film Editing’ and ‘Shirley Clarke: Thinking Through Movement’ – to life in a workshop designed to enhance and empower kineasthetic creativity. (space is limited)
***********
WHAT: Los Angeles–based Dance Camera West Festival.
WHEN: Thursday, January 22 through Sunday, January 25, 2026
WHERE: Théâter Raymond Kabbaz, Colburn Zipper Hall and The Philosophical Research Society, Los Feliz. – See venue dates and times HERE.
TICKETS:
LINK TO TICKET PORTALS:
Festival Pass* Dance Camera West
(*Discounted until Jan 6)
Jan. 22-24 TRK
Jan. 24 Colburn
January 25 PRS
All ticket purchases support DCW’s pillar programs to Prepare: Produce and Present the best dance films in Los Angeles including DCW’s Signature VISIBILITY production fund for L.A. based dance film makers.
For more updated information on DCW and the DCW2026 festival please visit http://www.dancecamerawest.org
Written and compiled by Jeff Slayton for LA Dance Chronicle from information provided by Dance Camera West.
Featured image: Arms of Gravity by Charlotte Griffin – Still courtesy of DCW.
