Highlighting the combination of dance and film/video, the 7th annual Dance Camera West festival begins its month long series of screenings, ceremonies and related events this Friday at the REDCAT Theater downtown. Presenting a wide variety of short, feature length and documentary work, the events will occur at locations that range from the American Cinematheque at the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica to the Hammer Museum's Billy Wilder Theater in Westwood to films shown with the Los Angeles Film Festival and even a show on the grass at the Braude Center Plaza in Van Nuys.

Founded by executive/artistic director Lynette Kessler, the festival includes work that all ages and all levels of experience with the hybrid genre can enjoy. On top of that, admission prices start at nothing (free) and rise to a reasonable $15, with most topping out at $10. DCW will also present the second Choreography Media Honors, an event launched last year honoring the craft of choreography in media. This gala screening and reception will be held at the Directors Guild of America (DGA).

Though more a fan of live dance performance, I find these screenings to be wildly exciting and inspiring! Whereas the US suffers in its lack of support for arts of any media, other nations get behind their artists and make it possible for them to experiment with mixing forms. What they come up with is sometimes breathtaking, always interesting and often beyond what I think might be possible. There's a breakdance documentary (pictured above), an evening of work from Latin America, the mind-blowing Netherlands Dance Theatre, Australia's Chunky Move and three separate seatings for shorts from around the world. These showings bring worldwide creativity right into our backyard. See you there!

Photo from 'Inside the Circle' by Marcy Garriott courtesy Dance Camera West