Photo credit: Mark Żammit Cordina
The Malta International Arts Festival (MIAF) invites applications from dancers and apprentices (all genders) for a ten-day choreographic lab and dance residency.
This intensive program offers a unique chance to collaborate with choreographers Jure Gostincar (Slovenia) and Francesca Abela Tranter (Malta). Together, participants will engage in a process of research, training, and creation, culminating in the premiere of two original choreographic works at the M.A.D. (Music and Dance) platform, performed to live music as part of MIAF’s program on June 15th and 16th, 2025.
Selected dancers will be part of a dynamic creative ensemble, expanding their technical and improvisational skills within an inspiring collaborative environment. Applicants should demonstrate strong foundations in ballet and contemporary dance, as well as openness and a commitment to contributing creatively during the residency.
Residency Details
· Dates: June 2nd – 16th, 2025
· Performance Dates: June 15th & 16th, 2025
· Venue: Valletta Campus Theatre (performing venue)
· Residency venue: to be confirmed
· Hours: 09:00 – 18:00
Audition Details
· Audition Date: March 16th, 2025 (by application and invitation only)
· Time: 10:00 – 13:00
· Venue: Moveo Dance Studios, 112 Triq Nazju Ellul Street, Gzira
· Application Deadline: February 21st, 2025 (12:00 pm)
· Audition & Residency Fees: Free
Application Process
To apply (ages 18+), please email Neil Zerafa (festival manager) at neil.zerafa@festivals.mt and Francesca Tranter at francescatranter@gmail.com with "Dance Residency - M.A.D. (Music and Dance)" in the subject line.
Include the following:
· Full-body photo
· Brief CV and bio
· Video link (up to 3 minutes) showcasing your dance skills
Additional Information
Participation requires full commitment to the full residency and performance dates.
Selected dancers will receive:
· €500 remuneration
· Two complimentary tickets to M.A.D. and to another performance within the festival
· Certification of participation (upon request)
We look forward to welcoming passionate, skilled dancers ready to immerse themselves in this creative journey!
JURE GOSTINCAR (SLOVENIA)
“ I have always felt a very strong sense for choreography. I am curious about the
endless possibilities of a body, relating to other bodies in space and time. How beautiful it is
to compose something that you perhaps cannot explain with words. I like to work with the
conventional vs non-conventional. Can we indulge in the beauty and joy of moving, but also
break an expectation, surprise yourself, take time in our hands, play with it. Break it, bend it,
let it last forever. It is all about timing and/or musicality.” Jure
Jure Gostinčar - Bio
Born in 1992 in Koper, on the Slovenian coast, Jure Gostinčar began his career as a dancer and freelance artist in Slovenia. After completing his training with Ballet Junior de Genève in Geneva, Switzerland, in 2015, he joined ŻfinMalta, later working with Proyecto Titoyaya in Spain and Gwyn Emberton Dance in the UK. In 2019, he joined Of Curious Nature, a dance company based in Bremen, Germany, under the direction of Helge Letonja and Felix Landerer. Since 2021, he has been a part of Skånes Dansteater in Malmö, Sweden. Throughout his career, Jure has had the opportunity to work with recognised choreographers, including Gustavo Ramírez Sansano, Iván Pérez Avilés, Marcos Morau, Felix Landerer, Anouk Van Dijk, Jose Agudo, Fernando Melo, Jo Strømgren, Fabio Liberti, Francesca Tranter, Helena Franzén, Carl Knif, Gwyn Emberton, Helge Letonja, Samir Calixto, Mavin Khoo, Paolo Mangiola, and Athanasia Kanellopoulou, among others. In addition to performing, Jure frequently teaches and has recently begun to explore his own choreographic interests. He received the award for Best Male Dancer in 2012 from PZS (Slovenian Dance Organization).
FRANCESCA ABELA TRANTER (MALTA)
"Dance is the voice of the tools that stand before me—in this case, the dancers. They reveal it all: from my mind, to your body, to your eyes. The narrative is ever-shifting, but in the end, it’s the moment you choose to carry with you that truly matters."
Francesca Tranter - Bio
Francesca Tranter a pioneer of Malta’s contemporary dance scene, is recognized for her extensive contributions as a choreographer, researcher, and interdisciplinary dance artist. Trained in Malta and the UK, she specializes in contemporary dance genres and choreography. Since 1981, Francesca has been at the forefront of dance education and artistic innovation, mentoring emerging talent and collaborating with institutions and festivals worldwide to celebrate the power of dance.
Founder of Contact Dance Company (1998), she explores diasporic concepts where her works have been presented in prestigious venues and festivals across Europe, including the UK, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Turkey, Tunisia, Cyprus, Germany, Belgrade, Hungary and Lithuania. In 2001, she launched Dance Hybrid Malta, a program fostering professional exploration through international artistic exchanges creating a wave of local emerging dancers, followed by Dance on the Move (2011), a platform for rotational masterclasses where the dance community met regularly exploring various genres of dance.
Holding a Master’s degree in Performance Dance Studies (University of Malta, 2012), Francesca's research focuses on the legacy and evolution of contemporary dance in Malta. She serves as an assistant lecturer at the University of Malta's School of Performing Arts and has presented academic papers on dance hybridity and legacy. She continues to explore her interests in choreography in collaboration with dancers. As the Artistic Director of Dance Festival Malta, she continues to cultivate a vibrant dance ecosystem, uniting local and international artists in an annual celebration of movement and cultural exchange, creating diverse dialogue and opportunity for showcasing emerging.
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