Scottish Ballet has made a global call for young people aged 12 to 23 to submit one minute dance films expressing themes of acceptance, identity, and respect.
The initiative is part of Scottish Ballet’s digital festival Safe to Be Me 2021 - a celebration of diversity - which launches today, May 10.
The festival follows the success of the company’s pioneering schools programme and will be running through the month.
The director of engagement at Scottish Ballet, Catherine Cassidy, said: “We have been humbled to see the direct impact that Safe to Be Me has had in schools and hope that, by moving and expanding the programme online, that the Festival will continue to use creative and critical thinking to promote acceptance and respect, and celebrate diversity.”
It will see Scottish Ballet engage with young people aged 10 to 23, to deliver a number of dance sessions, inspirational talks, and multi-artform workshops.
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The company will work directly with schools and community groups across Scotland to explore issues of ableism, bigotry, family diversity, homophobia, racism, and transphobia.
The CEO/artistic director of Scottish Ballet, Christopher Hampson, said: ‘At Scottish Ballet, we want to bring the benefits of dance to everyone and are excited that more people will have the opportunity to connect with the core values of Safe to Be Me by presenting it as a digital festival this year.
“As a company, we are committed to engaging with people from all backgrounds; using dance and movement as a tool to promote, understand and celebrate equality, diversity and inclusion across communities.’
The festival will also present opportunity for international engagement.
The programme is designed in line with key Scottish Government targets to address bullying, discrimination, and prejudice.
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Since 2019, Safe to Be Me has successfully been delivered to over 1000 young people to empower and support them to help them feel safe and confident in who they are.
This year’s festival has been programmed in consultation with Conyach, Edinburgh International Festival, Intercultural Youth Scotland (IYS), LGBT Youth Scotland, and Sparkle – the national transgender charity.
The founder and director of IYS, Khaleda Noon, said: “Scottish Ballet's Safe to Be Me Festival gives young people a great opportunity to create and express themselves, providing them a platform to create awareness and to showcase their talent in music, dance and film."
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