The Rotterdam International Duet Choreography Competition (RIDCC) is excited to announce the selected choreographers for its seventh edition. From 415 entries spanning 60 countries, RIDCC has chosen 16 exceptional duets to perform at the prestigious event. This year’s selection includes a historic first: a duet from South Africa, underscoring the competition’s global reach. Following a rigorous process, the pre-jury narrowed down the submissions to present these outstanding works on the stage of Theater Rotterdam on June 12, 13, and 14, 2025.
Over these evenings, the talented choreographers will compete for prestigious awards. The XL Production Award, made possible by Stichting Droom en Daad and Scapino Ballet Rotterdam, includes a production budget worth €100,000—one of the most remarkable dance prizes in the world. This year, RIDCC is part of the Dance Week at Theater Rotterdam, a celebration of dance in all its forms.
From a total of 415 submissions, the expert jury has selected 16 choreographers to showcase their talent during the competition. The selected participants are: Nikita Zdravkovic (SRB), Tamara Fernando (FR), Giovanni Napoli (IT), Thomas Martino (IT), Chapsal Noé (FR), Júlia Godino Llorens & Alexa Moya Panksep (BE/ES), Tilda Åsberg & Albert W. Buchreitz (SE/DK), Iannes Bruylant & Anna Benedicte Andresen (BE/NO), Louis Thuriot (BE), Maciej Kuźmiński (PL), Laura Perron & William-Nicolas Tanguay (CA/CA), LAI Hung-chung (TW), CHEN Shuchang & SHI Renqi (CN), Justin de Jager & Sem Deliveyne (NL/BE), Iga Włodarczyk & Katarzyna Zakrzewska (PL) and Nomasonto Radebe (ZA).
Maya Roest and Mischa van Leeuwen, founders and artistic leaders of RIDCC, share insights about the selection process and what the seventh edition has to offer: “We are delighted to share our enthusiasm for the diverse and inspiring submissions we received this year. We are particularly excited to see a remarkable increase in applications from Africa. This development is the result of our targeted efforts to welcome a broader range of voices and stories into our community. It is amazing to witness how dance continues to evolve and innovate worldwide. The creativity and originality of the submissions reflect the richness and diversity of the international dance culture. We look forward to welcoming these voices and stories at RIDCC 2025 in June and cannot wait to share these unique perspectives with our audience.”
For the seventh edition of RIDCC, a fully female jury will be present for the first time. The jury is chaired by Kristin de Groot, former director of Dansateliers and advisor in the Dutch dance world, and consists of top women from the dance world, including Sarah Baltzinger, a former winner of the RIDCC XL Production Award 2023, and Anna-Kay Alicia Gayle, a dance and movement artist, performer, choreographer, and actress based in London, originally from Jamaica. Bonnie Doets is also part of the jury; she is a former dancer of Scapino Ballet Rotterdam and currently a ballet master at Scapino Ballet Rotterdam. Finally, the jury includes Janine Dijkmeijer, former dancer and creative director of New Zealand Dance Company, and now the managing director and head programmer of Parkstad Limburg Theater.
On June 12 and 13, 2025, the 16 selected choreographers will showcase their duets at Theater Rotterdam, captivating audiences with their creativity and passion. An international jury will select the duets advancing to the grand finale on June 14, where award winners will be revealed. The XL Production Award will honor the most promising choreographer, while 12 Partner Awards, presented by prestigious dance institutions such as Club Guy & Roni, FORM Dance Projects, and MiR Dance Company, will support emerging talents in their artistic growth and career advancement. The audience will also play a role, voting for the Audience Award winner. This vibrant finale will conclude Dance Week at Theater Rotterdam, offering a stunning and inspiring celebration of dance and talent.
Rotterdam International Duet Choreography Competition (RIDCC) offers an inspiring platform for choreographers from all over the world to develop sustainably. Here, they have the opportunity to showcase their talent and establish valuable connections within the local, national, and international dance sectors. RIDCC is a dynamic crossroads where creativity and craftsmanship come together, leading to new collaborations and career opportunities. With its impact on the Rotterdam, Dutch, and international dance landscape, RIDCC contributes to the growth and development of contemporary dance in all its forms.
For more information, visit www.ridcc.com and ticket sales via Theater Rotterdam.
