Talented choreographers come to RIDCC from all over the world

After an intensive selection of 415 entries from 60 countries, Rotterdam International Duet Choreography Competition (RIDCC) has selected 16 promising duets to showcase their talent on the stage of Theater Rotterdam in June. Tickets for the two preliminary rounds on 12 and 13 June and the final on 14 June are available via this link.

After a long selection process by the pre-judging panel, these choreographers get to showcase their talent at the dance competition. The chosen participants (with the first ever duet from South Africa) are: Nikita Zdravkovic (SRB), Tamara Fernando (FR), Giovanni Napoli (IT), FAN Xiaoyun (CN), Chapsal Noé (FR), Júlia Godino Llorens & Alexa Moya Panksep (SP/SP), Tilda Åsberg & Albert W. Buchreitz (SE/DK), Iannes Bruylant & Anna Benedicte Andresen (BE/NO), Louis Thuriot (BE), Maciej Kuźmiński (PL), Laura Perron & William-Nicolas Tanguay (CA/CA), LAI Hung-chung (TW), CHEN Shuchang & SHI Renqi (CN/CN), Justin de Jager & Sem Deliveyne (NL/BE), Iga Włodarczyk & Katarzyna Zakrzewska (PL/PL) and Nomasonto Radebe (SA).

Diversity international dance culture

Maya Roest and Mischa van Leeuwen, founders and artistic directors of RIDCC, on the selection process and what the seventh edition has to offer: ''It is with great joy that we share our enthusiasm about the diverse and inspiring submissions we have received this year. We are particularly pleased to see a remarkable increase in the number of entries from Africa. This development is the result of our focused efforts to welcome a wider range of voices and stories into our community. It is extraordinary to see how dance continues to evolve and innovate globally. The creativity and originality of the submissions testify to the richness and diversity of international dance culture. We look forward to welcoming these voices and stories during RIDCC 2025 in June and cannot wait to share these unique perspectives with our audiences.''

All-female jury

The seventh edition of RIDCC will feature an all-female jury for the first time. Led by Kristin de Groot, former director of Dansateliers and advisor in the Dutch dance world, the jury consists of top women from the dance world, such as Sarah Baltzinger, former winner of the RIDCC XL Production Award 2023, and Anna-Kay Alicia Gayle, a Jamaican-born, London-based dance and movement artist, performer, choreographer and actress. Furthermore, Bonnie Doets is part of the jury; she is a former dancer of Scapino Ballet Rotterdam and currently ballet master at Scapino Ballet Rotterdam. Finally, the jury consists of Janine Dijkmeijer, former dancer and creative director of New Zealand Dance Company, and now general director and chief programmer of Parkstad Limburg Theatre.

On Thursday 12 and Friday 13 June, the jury will decide which of the 16 selected choreographers' duets will advance to the finals on Saturday 14 June and compete for prizes. The XL Production Award will be presented to the most promising choreographer and, during the evening, 12 Partner Awards will also be presented, awarded by leading dance institutes from home and abroad, including Club Guy & Roni, FORM Dance Projects and MiR Dance Company.These awards provide valuable support to emerging talents and contribute to their artistic development, giving them the opportunity to take important steps in their careers. Of course, the audience also gets a vote and decides who wins the Audience Award. This festive finale concludes Theater Rotterdam's Dance Week.

Photo: Anna van Kooij

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