YouTube and reality TV shows in the past decade like So You Think You Can Dance and the now off-air America’s Best Dance Crew have commanded a spotlight on a whole new generation of Asian-Pacific Islander (API) “movers and shakers.” MOVEfest’s inclusion into the 15th San Diego Asian Film Festival is a celebration of API contributions to dance culture and a testament to the belief that dance and film have the profound ability to tell powerful stories.

MOVEfest will be two shows of live, original hip hop and urban dance performances with dynamic video works by emerging dance filmmakers. Among the guest performers is Galen Hooks, who choreographed for Usher, Rihanna, Britney Spears, and Justin Bieber.

Galen Hooks on TED

Not only did we want to highlight the API faces in the dance community, but we wanted to let the locals shine. Here in San Diego we are home to a vibrant community of dancers and choreographers, especially in the Filipino-American community. In recent years, San Diego has been a breeding ground for hip hop and urban dancers, giving birth to The Jabbawockeez, Keone & Mari, Cookies, Culture Shock, and many others who have successfully established a reputation in the entertainment industry and influenced global dance culture.

Keone & Mari Madrid

Because of the strong Filipino-American connections, this year’s MOVEfest is dedicated to the resilient people of the Philippines on the one-year anniversary of Typhoon Haiyan, November 9, 2014.

MOVEfest is presented by Pacific Arts Movement, Outreach Through Dance, and the School of Creative Performing Arts, and funded by Tony Olaes at ODM and a grant from Council Member Myrtle Cole. For more information and ticket click here.