A second level sub title, indicating any further information that needs to be displayed
Jacob Krupnick’s Oscar® Qualified Then Comes The Body shares a story of the first classical ballet academy in Nigeria
Los Angele, CA (September 26, 2024). Writer, Director, and Producer Jacob Krupnick’s Then Comes The Body is a beautiful documentary short featuring the now-famous ballet school Leap of Dance Academy in Lagos, Nigeria. The Academy started in the front yard of founder Daniel Owoseni Ajala, who dedicated his own resources into starting the foundation, providing dance education to underprivileged children in the area – of which some have gone on to find brighter opportunities in other countries.
During the peak of Covid, he recorded his students performing ballet in the rain and the videos went viral, capturing the imagination of audiences around the world. This incredible documentary short has qualified to be considered for the 2025 Oscars® after winning the Best Short Non-Fiction at Short Shorts Tokyo.
Logline: When a video of kids dancing in the rain goes viral, it brings global attention to an unlikely ballet school outside Lagos, Nigeria. Now, Daniel Owoseni Ajala – who learned ballet over YouTube – is training students to perform on the world stage.
Jacob Krupnick is a filmmaker from New York who tells stories told through movement. His immersive dance films set in busy cities spark curiosity and delight on the surface while exploring larger questions about identity and public space. Jacob’s 2012 feature debut, Girl Walk // All Day was an early crowd-funding phenomenon, with hundreds of interactive screenings at film festivals, museums, and public spaces around the world. He’s currently developing the follow-up to Girl Walk // All Day.
The spectacular cinematography was created by Soren Nielsen. This documentary short took home Best Short Doc at San Francisco Dance Film Festival 2023. Audience Favorite at DOCUTAH, and Best Short Film at Film Fest Petaluma. Plus Desert Views Jury Award at the Palm Springs Shortfest. And the Audience Award for Best Documentary at Palm Springs Shortfest.
This soulful documentary has qualified to be considered for a 2025 Academy® Award.
Would you like to comment? Do let us know your thoughts. You can also meet us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
INDIE ACTIVITIES
Apple TV picks up “Dismissed” by Aysha Scott After it Hit a Million Views
Single mother entrepreneur from South-East London, built up an empire from scratch.
MOEDER Oscar® Qualified Drama Based on MH17 Airline Disaster
OSCAR® Qualified MOEDER tells a story tragedy on the Ukrainian-Russian border
Nate & John Oscar® qualified Animation Short Directed by Jumai Yusuf
NATE & JOHN heartwarming animation short qualifies for the 97th Academy® Awards
Dreama Team by Chad Weber & Steve Vanderheide Acquired by Freestyle for November Release
Feature Documentary Dreama Walton Sets Digital Debut for Global VOD Platforms and on DVD on Nov 1, 2024
LGBTQ+ Film, “Muscat” by Philippe Grenier Qualified the Oscars®
Muscat is an audacious exploration of a young boy confronted with the discovery of his identity
