“A quiet moment of calm that took a story of disability and made it into a story of art”

The Format Factory for BBC

The 12th series of CBBC documentary strand My Life threw up some gems, but nothing quite as moving as this short from The Format Factory. Commissioned in lockdown, I’m Leading The Dance delivered, in the words of one judge, “a quiet moment of calm that took a story of disability and made it into a story of art”.

The doc follows Neisha, a 14-year-old cheerleader and dancer who has one leg and uses a blade, as she works with disabled choreographer Kate Stanforth to create an artistic dance video featuring a one-tonne industrial robot.

By entwining bewitching dance moves and Neisha’s human interest story, the film sensitively shows a teenager striving to fulfil her dream without letting her disability get in the way. Through the development of the dance, viewers get to see how Neisha’s disability becomes a strength.

At just five minutes, the film impressed the judges with its economy of storytelling. “Well-crafted and emotional, it avoided the obvious clichés while showcasing an extraordinary young woman and her talents,” said one.

“Compelling, beautifully told and goes to show what short-form can achieve,” said another, while a third was impressed by how, despite its low budget, the doc “excelled at presenting dance in a beautiful, dignified and stylish way”.

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Award sponsored by Dock10

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