Yorkshire Dance is a long-term supporter and partner of the Leeds International Screendance Competition, presented annually in November at the Everyman Cinema, as part of LIFF (Leeds International Film Festival.)
Contributing to the selection panel, alongside Andy Wood, Yorkshire Dance’s Creative Director, Hannah Robertshaw brings passion and knowledge for this exciting medium.
Selected films are presented in a 90-minute screening which includes a Q&A with filmmakers and panelists. An international jury selects one film for a cash prize whilst the audience take part in a live vote with the winners announced on the night.
To watch and vote as an audience member in the Leeds International Screendance Competition, check the LIFF listing for details of the screening. The event usually takes place in early November during Leeds International film festival.
To enter a screendance into the competition sign up for our artist newsletter to be the first to hear when the open call goes live. Entries usually open in late Nov or early Dec after the screening. Entries are managed by FilmFreeway and LIFF. Winners receive a £500 cash prize.
2025: Spoken Movement Family Honour directed by Daniel Gurton
2024: This madness of loving directed by Rola Shamas
2023: Dear Passengers directed by Madli Lääne
2022: Fragility of Language directed by Nefali Kentoni
2021: Fibonacci directed by Tomáš Hubáček
2020: ZOMBIES directed by Baloji
2019: The Circle directed by Lanre Malaolu
2018: Afterword directed by Boris Seewald
2017: Through the supermarket in five easy pieces directed by Anna Maria Joakimsdottir-Hutri
2016: Diving into your absence directed by Concha Vidal
2015: Choreography for the Scanner by Mariam Eqbal
Images: Yes by Madli Lääne (2024 LIFF Screendance Audience Choice)
No Dress Code is our informal scratch night for artists working in Yorkshire. Once a year we invite audiences to our studio theatre to watch new dance works-in-progress* by up-and-coming dance artists and companies. This is a pay-what-you-can event, and all donations go to the artists and companies performing.
After the performances there is a chance to share your feedback and insights in a relaxed setting.
Artists can apply to show works in progress* at No Dress Code each Spring. Sign up for our Artist Newsletter to find out when our next round of applications open.
*By works in progress we mean new work which has already undertaken research and development and is being structured into a performance.
The Regional Dance Development Network (RDDN) contributes to the strategic development of youth dance across the Yorkshire region, including annual youth dance showcase FRESH.
The RDDN is the voice for dance development in the Yorkshire region. Members share best practice, exchange information about events and projects and collaborate on new developments. The RDDN is a place of learning and discussion where the group share strategy and their vision for a thriving dance scene in Yorkshire.
We welcome new members whose work focuses on children and young people within Yorkshire. If you would like to join the RDDN, please contact Ione Barton IoneBarton@YorkshireDance.com
Saturday Superstars is our programme of dance classes for young people. We offer a range of styles and the chance to learn from very experienced teachers in a friendly, safe and fun environment.
Book online or call the Yorkshire Dance box office on 0113 243 8765. Parents & Tots can be booked week by week or for the full term and all other classes are booked by term.
Yorkshire Dance is an independent venue based in Leeds Cultural Quarter. Our venue houses three fully equipped dance studios and an artist co-working space. We offer a range of weekly classes, festivals and artist development support.
Stay in touch with our latest student opportunities and offers by subscribing to our Artist News.
We host over 30 weekly dance classes covering everything from kathak to hip-hop, heels to contemporary and salsa to roller dance. Classes are run by independent artists with advanced level options. Learn more.
For students we offer ad hoc opportunities to work with visiting international artists. We can offer academic placement opportunities which contribute to your degree course. This could include placements within our community participation, artist development or co-creation programmes. Discuss with your course leader and enquire about our current projects by phoning 0113 243 8765 or by emailing HannahRobertshaw@yorkshiredance.com.
For graduates we offer regular freelance employment; 1:1 advice; scratch and performance opportunities; and commissions and producer support for creative projects.
Our three studios are available to hire for £5 per hour for local dance artists. Book online here.
We offer a residency programme for graduates.
All our events are Pay What You Can.
10-11 July 2026: Ageless Festival | A 2-day festival reimagining age through dance featuring performances, workshops and talks from acclaimed local and international artists.
20 Nov 2026: No Dress Code | Annual Artist Scratch Night
Image: ALPHADANCE (c) Nick Singleton
Talent Development North, led by TIN Arts in partnership with Yorkshire Dance and Cheshire Dance, enables disabled dance artists to create exciting new work, gain industry insight, build connections and explore professional pathways within the dance sector.
Talent Development North is part of a wider movement aiming to increase the visibility of disabled dance artists and make the dance sector more inclusive.
This programme sees organisations and artists work together to identify, develop and embed new working practices resulting in better support for professional learning disabled or autistic dance artists to create great art, change perceptions and inspire others.
By 2027 the programme will support the creation of at least 4 new artworks leading to 10 public performances. We expect the quality of the work created will shift the public’s perceptions and attitudes towards disabled dance artists.
At Yorkshire Dance we support at least one disabled artist per year through our Dance Partner Projects programme.
Image: Camilla Greenwell
Each of our projects requires different specialisms. Most of our projects have a lead artist and an assistant artist. At the start of each new project we run an open callout for artists. To find out about our open call outs sign up to our artist newsletter.
Within our existing projects we have a natural turnover when artists leave. We also occasionally require last minute cover if one of our regular artists is ill.
If you are interested in working on one of our existing programmes please get in touch. Our Project Managers will contact you for a chat if either they need one-off cover or if a long-term role opens up on the project. Please note that although you are welcome to contact us and let us know more about your experience and practice we can never guarantee that we will have work for you.
Yorkshire Dance Youth takes place every Wednesday at Kentmere Community Centre, Seacroft, 5.00pm – 6.30pm.
These classes are FREE and we are always happy to have new people. If you are interested in coming to these classes please just come along or text/call Ione on 07858464758. You can also email: IoneBarton@Yorkshiredance.com
Yorkshire Dance Youth are our free weekly dance classes for young people aged 10 -18 who live in East Leeds. Our classes are taught by professional dancers Emily and Meg who will teach you the latest move each week, working together to create new routines. The classes are relaxed and fun and open to anybody – even if you’ve never danced before.
