Program, text and images by Summer Dance Forever

International hiphop dance festival Summer Dance Forever and Cinedans present a selection of inspiring hiphop dance films and documentaries, free for everyone to enjoy.

Discover Wicket by Lily Plotkin, in which a breakdancing legend rewrites his story in an electrifying journey through art, identity, and coming out on his own terms. We're also hosting a special pre-release screening of No Dancing Allowed by Earthbound Studio, an exploration of the past and present of club culture. Through a story of adventure, triumph, and loss, the film traces the turbulent evolution of Hip-Hop into the global cultural force it is today.

Free entrance for everyone (limited capacity)

EARTHBOUND STUDIO: NO DANCING ALLOWED (USA, 45 MIN)

No Dancing Allowed is a feature-length documentary about the living lineage of Black American social dance, carried from ballrooms and street corners into the present by the artists who refused to let it die. For decades, New York's Cabaret Laws made dancing illegal in unlicensed public places, pushing this culture underground and forcing generations to fight for the right to simply move. The film follows legends like Sekou Heru, Marjory Smarth, Buddha Stretch, LaTasha Barnes, and more through the full arc from Lindy Hop to House, and traces how crews like Dance Fusion carried that lineage across the globe into new forms and communities, as well as the challenges they faced in doing so.

LILY PLOTKIN: WICKET (USA, 75 MIN)

Once a global icon, Bboy Wicket (Gabriel Jaochico) spent decades hiding his true identity. After 41 years in the closet, he confronts his past and the deep secret that shaped his life and career. Through legendary battle footage, candid interviews and raw emotional honesty, the documentary traces Wicket’s rise to fame and his long journey toward self-acceptance. It reveals how falling in love — with an artistic pursuit, another person, or oneself — can change the course of a life forever. Wicket is an intimate exploration of legacy, community and the freedom that comes with living as your whole self.

Watch the trailer

About Summer Dance Forever
Summer Dance Forever is one of the world’s leading international hip-hop dance festivals. Every August, dancers and audiences from around the globe gather in Amsterdam to enjoy explosive battles, soulful club nights, powerful dance performances, workshops by top dancers, and much more. This summer, the festival runs from 25 till 31 August at Paradiso, ITA and various other locations. Check summerdanceforever.com for the full program and tickets.