THIS IS BALLROOM (Salão de Baile)

Ballroom filmmakers Juru and Vitã explore Rio de Janeiro’s unique Ballroom scene and House culture. For this ambitious project, the filmmakers organized a special event inviting Rio’s top Ballroom artists, represented 11 Houses from the city centre and beyond. Led by prominent 2SLGBTQIA+ Afro-Brazilian performers, the Houses serve as life-affirming chosen families for the queer, trans, and nonbinary people of this tight community. Mixing elements of local traditions, popular culture, and North American influences, Rio’s Ballroom artists cook up their unique flavours of voguing, performance, music, fashion and dance. Infused in their artistry are the lived experiences of a resilient community pushing back against a racist, patriarchal state.

Through electrifying performances and candid interviews, this insider look offers an authentic portrait of Rio’s vibrant Ballroom community.

Join us after the screening to see local talent perform at the FUEGO/FOGO afterparty at The Birdhouse, co-presented by the Vancouver Latin American Film Festival! Free entry with tickets to this screening.

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Please note: We have sold out of advance tickets for the in-person program! A limited number of door tickets will be available, and online tickets remain available (just click “Get Tickets” and select “Online”). We encourage all pass-holders and ticket-holders to arrive early or on time, as we will release additional seats to folks purchasing tickets at the door once the program begins. Learn more about our Hope Line process.