REBELLIOUS HOPE
by Company Philip Connaughton

REBELLIOUS HOPE is a new short dance film featuring acclaimed dancers from Ireland and France aged 46–85 years old who find a defiant hope to keep moving in their creative professions. It is a story told and performed by aging professional dancers who exhibit an enduring artistic drive and relentless pursuit of learning, growth and evolution. It premiered at Bealtaine Festival 2025 in Dublin and is available to screen at festivals worldwide.

The film is created by a magical team of creatives that includes acclaimed Dublin-based choreographer, Philip Connaughton, known for blending creativity, collaboration, and artistic innovation. Connaughton’s work is diverse and exciting like his 2014 large-scale ensemble piece Tardigrade, where he won Best Design award at the Dublin Fringe Festival Awards. He continues to create and develop a diverse range of projects and collaborations that reflect his evolving artistic vision; This work couldn’t have been achieve without the flawless artistry of Luca Truffarelli, a Dublin based photographer and video maker who specializes in dance and theatre; and last but not least, the soundscape has been made by multi-disciplinary, Tony Award nominated composer Mel Mercier. Mercier has an international reputation as a performer, composer and sound designer.

The film premiered at Project Arts Centre Dublin on 3 May 2025, as part of Bealtaine Festival 2025, celebrating arts and creativity as we age.

The film was commissioned by Bealtaine Festival. Bealtaine Festival, an initiative of Age & Opportunity, is proudly funded by the Arts Council and the HSE, with the support of communities nationwide and a vast network of accomplished local and national bodies.  It was additionally supported by Dance Ireland, Atelier de Paris CDCN, Centre National de la Danse, Studio le Regard du Cygne, and Laboral: Ciudad de la Cultura Gijón.

Funded by the Arts Council | An Chomhairle Ealaíon

“BEAUTIFULLY CRAFTED”

- No More Workhorse [read full review here]

Created by
Company Philip Connaughton

Directed by
Philip Connaughton & Luca Truffarelli

Presented by
Once Off Productions and Bealtaine Festival

AVAILABLE TO TOUR

For touring details contact producer Maura O’Keeffe

SCREENING DATES
3 May 2025 at Project Arts Centre, Dublin as part of Bealtaine Festival

Choreographed by
Philip Connaughton - in collaboration with the featured artists

Filmed by
Luca Truffarelli

Music Composed by
Mel Mercier

Graphic Design by
Niall Sweeney

Music Recording and Editing by
Donncha Moynihan

Music Mixing by
Donncha Moynihan and Mel Mercier

Performers
Joanna Banks, Fearghus Ó Chonchúir, Magali Caillet Gajan, Jonathan Mitchell, Amy Swanson Salmon, Ashley Chen, Ben Sullivan, Dmitry Vinokurov, Ryan O'Neill, Sheik Bah, Yves Lorrhan, and John Scott