What keeps us going? In the face of physical change, financial uncertainty, and the passing of time, Rebellious Hope is an attempt to stay in motion - not out of habit, but from a deep need to connect. These dancers don’t just inspire; they sustain. Their presence, their history, and their refusal to disappear offer a kind of hope that feels both grounded and urgent.

Commissioned by Bealtaine and Project Arts Centre, and produced by Once Off Productions, Rebellious Hope is a new short dance film by choreographer Philip Connaughton, filmmaker Luca Truffarelli, and composer Mel Mercier. Featuring acclaimed performers from Ireland and France (ages 46-85) - Joanna Banks, Jonathan Mitchell, Amy Swanson Salmon, Ashley Chen, Fearghus Ó Conchúir, John Scott, and Magali Caillet Gajan – the film explores the enduring artistic drive, growth, learning, and the relentless pursuit of creative evolution.

40mins | Ireland | 2025