Resources

10

A ŻfinMalta documentary, filmed as part of Żfin10

‘10’ reflects on the past, present, and future of ŻfinMalta National Dance Company. A decade into ŻfinMalta’s journey, this documentary by Sam Chetcuti offers an intimate glimpse into the company, its development, and its ongoing mission. Through the voices of just some of those who have shaped, and continue to shape ŻfinMalta, ’10’ reveals the passion, people, and vision behind the making of Malta’s national dance company. This documentary is part of Żfin10, a a celebratory week of special events and participatory projects marking 10 years of ŻfinMalta.

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Dance Dialogues

New podcast series as part of Żfin10

Artistic Director Matthew William Robinson engages in dialogue with both those who have been with the company for a decade, and those who have just begun their journey, to hear the diverse perspectives on what it means to be part of ŻfinMalta, how it has evolved, and how the company’s vision is shaping its future. 

This series is not just a celebration of the company’s achievements over the last ten years, but an opportunity to reflect on the journey so far, and to look ahead, asking what the future holds for both the company, and the art of dance in Malta. 

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Homecoming

In this episode, Associate Artistic Director Brenda Lee Grech reflects on a journey that’s come full circle. From career advice to cultural shifts, Matthew and Brenda discuss the evolution of Malta’s cultural and artistic landscape over the past decade, as well as what it means to return home and take on a leading role with ŻfinMalta, following a hugely successful dance career across Europe. Now in a role that bridges leadership, mentorship, and creative vision, she shares how it feels to be back: not just to give back, but to build forward.

From Stage to Shore

In this episode, ŻfinMalta company dancers Lotte and Pearl reflect on their journeys through dance, geography, and identity. From the unique Mediterranean lifestyle and the beauty of working by the sea to their deepening artistic voices, both now find themselves navigating the rewards and realities of life in a contemporary repertory company, balancing shifting choreographic languages with a steady sense of self. Episode 2 discusses the  challenges of adaptability, and the physical demands of their craft, but also life beyond the studio as a professional: community, friendship, the rituals that sustain them, and how Malta’s rhythms offer both contrast and calm to the intensity of life as a professional dancer.

Impact and Aspirations

In this episode, we sit down with Amber and Simon, two dancers who joined ŻfinMalta in 2019 and have spent the past six seasons evolving as artists within the company. Both reflect on how their time at ŻfinMalta has shaped their creative aspirations, and how ŻfinMalta has offered them a platform to explore choreography, education, and community engagement. We discuss the impact of projects like Threaded Fine and Sunrise Mass, the joys and challenges of outreach in schools, and their hopes for inspiring the next generation of dancers.

Gods and Jewels

Generations in motion: Episode 4 brings together two dancers from opposite ends of the company’s timeline, Keith, an original company member since 2014, and Luke, one of the newest additions to ŻfinMalta. Hosted in a moment of transition, as Keith prepares to take his final bow on stage, this episode explores the evolving identity of ŻfinMalta, the richness of local and international exchange, and the enduring power of dance to shape lives, forge connection, and reflect a nation. Keith and Luke reflect on what it means to grow as artists in Malta, how perceptions of masculinity and dance have shifted over the past decade, and what it feels like to move from student to peer.

Żfinstories

Part documentary, part day in the life of, ŻfinStories takes you behind-the-scenes with ŻfinMalta, Malta’s National Dance Company. James Vernon captures the scenes of a choreographic process that we rarely see, and documents the dancers on their different journeys.

ŻfinBlinks

Short and sharp, as the name suggests, ŻfinBlinks is ŻfinMalta’s new online programme of short videos, developed by Artistic Director Paolo Mangiola, and dedicated to the making of dance. Each video, created and written by our Creative Learning and Archive Officer Emma Walker, explores how choreography is used to compose dance. Every episode investigates different choreographic tools and their development over time, and through the analysis of a range of works, from solos to large ensembles, we look at how dance-makers create. ŻfinBlinks provides flashes of inspiration and information on the evolution of dance by unpacking its rich and multilayered history and and delving into the creative process, giving our audiences invaluable tools for the experience of dance.

ŻfinMalta Podcasts

This series of podcasts, produced and presented by ŻfinMalta, aims to highlight the myriad ways dance features in our lives, reminding us that everyone has a relationship with movement, and everyone has an experience of dance. It’s also an opportunity to draw on the opinions, ideas and perspectives of the many voices in our cultural ecology. In these candid interviews by members of the ŻfinMalta team, we get an insight into the lives and minds of dancers and choreographers, as well as artists working in other disciplines, policy makers, curators, writers, directors and thinkers, many of whom are also our collaborators.