The hArt Dance Film Series is an annual celebration, presented in collaboration by Aeris Körper, Hamilton Arts Council, and The Westdale
The hArt dance series premieres and screens dance films from local choreographers annually.
This series is committed to supporting artists who face systemic barriers, including those who are Black, Indigenous, racialized and other marginalized groups. By acknowledging the historic inequalities in accessing professional development and presentation opportunities, the hArt Dance Film Series aims to foster inclusivity and representation within the arts community.
This initiative is a collaborative project with generous support from the Incite Foundation for the Arts and sponsorship from TD Bank.
Stay tuned for the 2026 call for creators and screening information!
Meet the Curator:
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Artistic Director
Mayumi (she/her) is a Japanese Canadian settler who seeks to expose, challenge, and rectify systems of oppression by creating innovative, introspective and inclusive dance theatre. She sees embodiment as at the crux of world making, providing alternatives to unconscious thought and oppression. Her primary practices span performance, choreography, production and education. Mayumi graduated from Toronto Metropolitan University’s Theatre Performance Dance program, on the Dean’s list. Mayumi is the Artistic Director of Hamilton based Aeris Körper, which has just been awarded a 2024 Creators Award in the Hamilton Arts Award. She is a mentee in Butoh and composition with renowned Japanese Canadian dance theatre artist Denise Fujiwara, as well as a company member of Fujiwara Dance Inventions. Her training in Butoh has revealed ways of creating formless dance that negates the dance step and instead exposes our humanity in movement. She is the Curator for Hamilton Arts Council’s hArt Dance Film Series, Curator and Creative Producer for Kaeja d’Dance’s Porch View Dances, and Creative Producer of dance made in canada’s The ‘D’ Word Podcast. She has choreographed for Dusk Dances, Guelph Dance, CanAsian Dance and produced a bi-city presentation of her work Enemy Lines.
Photo by Daniel Neuhaus
Meet the 2024 Creators:
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Clairandean (they/them) is a Trans Non-Binary Media Artist and Movement instructor from Hamilton. They explore grief and Black Trans Identity through film, art journaling, dance, and style, bringing a unique perspective to the hArt Dance Film Series.
Photo by MP Photography
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Priyanka (she/her) is a Kathak dancer, choreographer, and Hindustani classical vocalist. Her film explores history repeating itself, questioning if humanity can truly empathize and act for others facing hardship without direct experience.
Photo by Stefan Sago
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Lor (she/her) is an inspiring artist focused on decolonial embodied healing. Her film highlights anxiety, fear, and intergenerational healing within marginalized bodies, promoting self-care and evolution through dance.
Photo by Katie Rawn