Artists at Work: Film Screening and Director Talk

Join us on Friday, November 7, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. for a special presentation of the Artists at Work Speakers Series, presented by Sitar's Emerging Arts Leaders (S.E.A.L.) in partnership with Sitar's Leadership Council.

Experience the award-winning documentary , followed by a moderated Director Talk with filmmaker Leslie Shampaine, who co-directed the film with Pip Gilmour. The film brings to life a moving true story that celebrates the power of mentorship, resilience, and the pursuit of creative dreams.

CALL ME DANCER follows a 21-year-old street dancer from Mumbai and a 75-year-old Israeli-American ballet master whose unlikely friendship transforms both their lives. From the streets of India to the stages of New York, this true-life adventure has earned critical acclaim and won 25 international awards.

Following the screening, Sitar students will sit down with Leslie Shampaine to discuss the film’s themes of perseverance, creative self-discovery, and the courage to follow one’s dreams. In this conversation, we’ll explore how art can open doors, bridge cultures, and change lives—on screen and beyond.

A former Sitar parent, Leslie has been telling stories throughout her professional life—from the ballet stage, where she performed around the world, to the television screen, where she has produced award-winning programs for PBS, Discovery Channel, A&E, CBS, and Al Jazeera. During this inspiring evening, she will pull back the curtain on her creative process, share insights from her journey as both dancer and filmmaker, and answer your pressing questions.

Created through collaboration between S.E.A.L. and Sitar Arts Center’s Leadership Council, this event celebrates intergenerational partnership and the shared power of art, storytelling, and community.

This in-person event is free, but registration is required. Space is limited.

ABOUT

Sitar Arts Center - celebrating 25 years in 2025 - engages DC youth, from early childhood to young adulthood, in building a creative community of learning and belonging that removes financial and cultural barriers to arts education and career training.

The Artists at Work Speakers Series peeks inside DC's most exciting arts venues with the professionals who work behind the scenes. Learn about the inner workings of performing, visual, and digital arts companies through the personal stories of their career journeys and current roles. Learn more at www.sitarartscenter.org/artists-at-work/

ABOUT S.E.A.L.

Sitar's Emerging Arts Leaders (S.E.A.L.) afterschool program is for teens, in 9th–12th grade, who are ready to grow as artists and leaders while giving back to their community. Participants take part in workshops led by creative professionals in film, public art, and more, attend field trips to local arts and cultural institutions, and produce Sitar’s annual film festival. This program offers a dynamic opportunity for youth to collaborate, create, and lead with each other in a safe and supportive environment.

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