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Dance For Change

In Dzaleka refugee camp, Malawi, home to over 40, 000 people a dance scene is emerging

The community are using movement as a vehicle for change. 

This story follows the journey of four different dance crews, The Fighters, The Dreamers, The Vision Girls and Salama Africa 

These crews encourage movement as a vehicle for rehabilitation.
What started as one dance group has grown to inspire an entire generation at Dzaleka and beyond, leading to the emergence of more groups that share the same passion and enable young individuals to use dance as a tool to share their language and re-cultivate their identity.

  • Lily Clare Colfox
    Director
  • Clem Kwizombe
    Producer
  • Spiwe Zulu
    Producer
  • Jack Thompson Roylance
    Producer
  • Toussaint Farini
    Key Cast
    "Manager of Salama Africa"
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Experimental, Short
  • Genres:
    Social impact, dance, movement
  • Runtime:
    17 minutes 37 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    September 1, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    10,000 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    Malawi
  • Language:
    Swahili
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital & analouge
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • European Film Festival Malawi 2022

    Malawi
    May 7, 2022
    Malawi Premiere
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Lily Clare Colfox

My themes centralise around community, self expression and nature with the intention of encouraging empathy for both marginalised voices and the earth we inhabit.
I believe in collaboration and the empowerment of subjects to create impactful and sustainable social change that transcends barriers.
 
Process is everything for me. I want to get close to real people, to develop the stories with them personally and create a connection where we can build the story together. That’s why I make films, for that connection.
 
With Dance for Change I wanted to tell a human story from within the harsh environments of the camp. A story that the audience could relate and empathise with, a story of human strength encapsulating emotions and spirit.
There has been much documentation of Dzaleka in recent years, but we wanted to capture a new perspective.

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Director Statement

It is my hope that by sharing these incredible stories of positivity and creativity from Dzaleka, refugees around the world can be inspired by their own internal strength and be able to make change within their lives in their own way.