PDSW Origins 2021 CallOut

PDSW is proud to present:

A digital performance platform for young dancers, schools & youth dance groups across the South West to showcase their creative dance film work 

Applications are now open for Origins 2021, hosted by PDSW, taking place on Saturday 24 & Sunday 25 April 2021.

Origins 2021 is the South West regional platform of U.Dance, which is delivered in partnership with One Dance UK. 

We believe in access for all & we want everyone to be able to participate in Origins 2021 if they would like to join us. Workshops will have BSL interpreters & have CC available. Please get in touch for any further info or questions.

We want to hear from individuals, school groups, youth dance groups, dance schools & collectives from Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole, Dorset, Hampshire, Somerset, Devon, Cornwall & Wiltshire. Origins is open to all dancers aged 11-19 years & up to 25 years for dancers with disabilities. All dance styles & genres welcome. 

We particularly wish to champion dance groups that celebrate inclusivity & would be delighted to hear from those who have not entered a platform before.

Deadline for applications: Friday 19 March 2021 

PDSW will host this fabulous digital festival, celebrating the variety and diversity of youth dance from across the South West. Shortlisted participants will come together over a weekend, having the opportunity to take part in a series of online professional dance workshops, a Q&A with industry artists & choreographers & a streamed showcase performance of their original screen dance films.

The theme for this Origins 2021 is Of Land, Sea & Sky. Inspired by the beauty & breath-taking landscape of our region, we would like you to create a piece that draws on your connection to your home, somewhere special to you or the sounds & spaces you experience every day. Let your imagination run wild. 

After the nationwide regional platforms, groups may be selected to showcase their piece at the U.Dance National Festival 2021 (16-18 July), drawing together some of the most innovative and ambitious youth dance work from across the entire country.

Are you ready?

Group leaders should fill in an application form, which is available here

A comprehensive Guidance Notes for applying to U.Dance 2021 document can be found here.

To help you with the creation of your film OneDanceUK hosted 2 special webinars in December. These Film Upskilling Workshops were hosted online with screen dance experts and covered top tips for U.Dance on Stage and U.Dance on Screen applications, exploring equipment, camera technique, shot selection, editing and more. The links to the recordings of the webinars can be found here:

Filming Dance for Stage

Filming Dance for Screen

Our Origins 2021 Sign-Up Guide, provides all the above information & more & can be found here

Our Origins 2021 Theme Inspiration page here…

Might give you ideas you could explore for our theme Of Land, Sea & Sky

For further information visit our PDSW website at website link or contact Young People’s Producer, Matt Hawksworth at

matthewh@pdsw.org.uk