As he looks toward a new home in Portugal with the perspective of the world that has shaped him, FFDN Artistic Director Ilter Ibrahimof leaves the festival with one final signature curation, Homecoming. The Signature Programme highlights the work of three female choreographers who have grown their craft through FFDN. 

ACT 1:

MALPASO DANCE COMPANY, Havana’s most well-known independent contemporary collective brings the emotional and melancholic The Last Song (La Última Canción) by Daile Carrazano - a work that was developed in partnership with FFDN and TMU’s Creative School in 2023. Three recent grads from TMU joins Malpaso on stage for an exhiliratiing international exchange, presented with live music.

 

ACT 2:

THE NATIONAL BALLET OF CANADA returns to the festival for their first appearance since 2019 and under the direction of Hope Muir, with islands by Emma Portner (FFDN 2018). A gender-bending choreographer, Emma’s creation is a sculptural duet for two women set to an eclectic playlist of contemporary artists. 

ACT 3:

BALLET EDMONTON makes its highly anticipated Toronto return under the direction of the company's new Artistic Director Kirsten Wicklund, with a world premiere ensemble work by FFDN inaugural Artist-in-Residence Anne Plamondon (FFDN 2016, 2018 and 2019).

FUN FACTS:

• Canadian Choreographer Aszure Barton has made two original works on Malpaso, including the much lauded Bloom, filmed on location in Havana in 2021 by FFDN's Renette and David Berman Filmmaker-in-Residence Vikram Dasgupta. The film currently streams on Marquee TV; 
• Emma Portner, at age 23, is the youngest woman in history to choreograph a musical on London’s West End: Bat Out of Hell: The Musical, based on the album by Meat Loaf. She has also choreographed Justin Bieber’s Purpose World Tour and music videos for Maggie Rogers.
• In addition to her choreographic work, Anne Plamondon also danced the Crystal Pite duet, A Picture of You Falling, with Peter Chu at FFDN 2016.