The most expressive shots in cinema are performed without a single word. This is a glance, a movement of the hands, a special gesture, or a change in posture. Those dance scenes are of particular importance, which amaze many spectators, but only professionals can truly appreciate their meaning, depth and enjoy their beauty.

On December 14, 2023, the vibrant city of Fort Lauderdale hosted the Follow Your Heart Film Festival at the famous Savor Cinema. The event began with a glamorous red carpet, welcoming filmmakers, dancers, and enthusiasts who gathered to celebrate a unique blend of cinema and dance. The films showcased at the festival were carefully chosen for their innovative integration of dance and narrative, highlighting originality and emotional depth. 

Each entry was selected for its ability to engage audiences and convey stories through dance. This prestigious festival provided a platform for showcasing diverse cinematic talents and highlighted dance’s artistry as a powerful storytelling medium.

Members of the jury panel for the Follow Your Heart International Film Festival were meticulously chosen based on their profound expertise and established careers in various aspects of film and performing arts. This diverse assembly ensures that every film submitted is judged comprehensively, considering not only the technical and artistic merits but also the emotional resonance and innovative storytelling implanted within the dance and cinematic expressions.

Being invited to join such a panel is a privilege and a significant acknowledgment of one’s professional reputation and contributions to the arts. It symbolizes a recognition of the individual’s sustained ability to influence and elevate the artistic community.

The criteria for selecting jury members are particularly stringent, emphasizing a deep understanding of artistic expression and a refined ability to analyze and critique both the technical execution and the emotional impact of film and dance. This approach ensures that the evaluation process remains both rigorous and enlightened, capable of appreciating the subtle nuances that make a film stand out. Such meticulousness in jury selection highlights the festival’s spirit of celebrating and advancing the art of film and dance, making participation in the jury an esteemed honor that celebrates the pinnacle of professional achievement in these fields.

Among the distinguished members of the film festival jury were Konstantin Kochubey, film editor of music video and advertising videos, and Evgeny Kolsky, a cinematographer with extensive experience in television and film, known for his work on popular Russian TV series and as the director of photography for international sports and fashion events. Tatiana Rebrikova (Tanya Charon) was chosen as a member of the jury due to her understanding of the intricate connection between dance and cinema, focusing on how choreography and expressive movement can enhance the emotional and cultural depth of films.

The Past, Present, and Future of the Dance: the Creative Path of Tanya Charon

The name of the film festival is Follow Your Heart, and it perfectly conveys the life path and credo of Tanya Charon herself. Like many future dancers, Tanya started dancing in her childhood. From the very first training, it became obvious that she had an innate talent, a love of dancing, and, most importantly, determination in achieving her goals. Already at the age of 7 years old, she knew that she would devote her entire life to dancing, and wanted not just to do it, but to become the best.

Thanks to grueling training, self-discipline, and sports stubbornness, Tanya Charon quickly moved towards her goal and rapidly moved forward up the career ladder, winning the recognition of judges and enthusiastic exclamations from the audience. By the age of 16 years old, she won her first serious championship title and this could only be the beginning of a legendary future, full of awards, victories, and reaching the top of the dance Olympus.

But life for the rising dance star prepared other plans. Tanya Charon had to put her life’s work on hold indefinitely, enter university, pursue a career, and move to the USA.

The forced break from her dancing career lasted almost 20 years. But the love for ballroom dancing still turned out to be stronger than any circumstances, so Tanya began her training journey with renewed vigor.

Returning to her previous high level of skill was not an easy task for Tanya Charon. It took a lot of dance training and strict discipline to make up for the missing skills. Through dedication and love for dancing, over the course of several years she was able to enter competitions and prove that she was as good as before.

From her first performances at competitions, she started to win prizes and audience awards. From 2021 to 2023, Tanya Charon has had impressive wins at the national level in the United States, including the USA Dance Championships in Orlando, the Grand National in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale Classic Champion, and other US Open National Dance Championships.

Among Tanya Charon’s outstanding achievements is a moving performance of Mozart’s Requiem. Together with a partner, they masterfully performed complex lifts and elements from various dance styles to convey a deep story. Their performance delighted both the judges and the audience, highlighting their ability to express the emotions of their characters using technique and acting.

Having started her dance journey as a child, Tanya has not only left her mark on the industry, but continues to inspire her colleagues, fans, and family members. Today she not only practices ballroom dancing, but also actively participates in creative events in the United States. Her experience proves that dance is an integral part of life, including cinema.

Follow Your Heart: the Connection Between Dance and Cinema

Having undergone many training sessions, dance competitions, performances, and showcases, Tanya Charon acquired knowledge and skills not only in choreography, but also in performing arts. She learned to convey emotions, feelings, and entire stories through dance, her movements, facial expressions, and gestures. She, like no one else, can appreciate good acting, plot and production, as she has been a part of the world of demonstration art since her childhood.

Tanya emphasizes that the link between cinema and dance is much deeper than it might seem at first glance. Both of these arts use facial expressions and body movements in order to convey emotions. Accordingly, choreography enriches artistic paintings. Dance scenes can bring out characters in new and much deeper ways, while also adding cultural context to movies. When evaluating the participants’ work, she will pay attention to these aspects, as well as to the dance elements themselves used in the movies.

As a jury member, Tatiana evaluated dance scenes with a focus on technical precision, emotional expressiveness, choreographic coherence with the film’s narrative, and the effectiveness of movement in conveying the film’s themes, emphasizing the role of dance in enhancing storytelling and character development.

Since dance acts as a potent form of expression in film, Tanya’s keen eye and perceptive evaluations will be crucial in assessing both the technical skill and the intricate stories embedded in each choreographed performance. Her knowledge not only elevate the caliber of our judging panel but also promote a deeper comprehension and admiration of dance as a narrative art form. Her duties as a judge involve attending screenings of the nominated films, critically analyzing the dance segments, and offering constructive feedback grounded in your professional expertise and insights.

The festival received extensive media coverage, highlighting the unique integration of dance and film and the high caliber judging panel. Such coverage not only elevated the profile of the festival but also brought significant attention to the works presented, benefiting all participants.