The Dancer | 2025 SF Dance Film Festival

Director: Lacey Uhlemeyer

Choreographers: Ahmad Joudeh, Mike Tyus, Luca Renzi

(United States, 2025) 97 minutes

Documentary, Ballet

A North American premiere Documentary. From a refugee camp in Damascus to the world’s most prestigious ballet stages, The Dancer traces the extraordinary journey of Ahmad Joudeh, a courageous artist who risked everything to move freely, both in body and spirit. Condemned for being gay, threatened by extremists for dancing, and abused by those closest to him, Ahmad’s story is one of defiance, resilience, and purpose. Now an internationally recognized artist and the first certified ballet master from an Arabic background, Ahmad returns to Syria with a dream: to uplift a new generation of dancers. Powerful and deeply human, The Dancer is a testament to art’s ability to transcend fear, reclaim identity, and build peace through movement.

Followed by a live post-screening Q&A with Ahmad Joudeh.

2:30p | House Opens

3:00p | Program begins

Runtime: 115 minutes

Tickets purchased at the door will cost $1 additional per ticket.

Venue Accessibility: Brava Theater is located at 2781 24th Street. Curb cuts for the sidewalk to the Brava Theater Center are located on the corner of York and 24th Street. The entrance of the theater is on the ground floor and there is an elevator to seating in the upper level of the theater.

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