The 20th Gibraltar National Dance Festival was recently organised by M.O. Productions at the John Mackintosh Hall Theatre between 9th and 12th March 2022. The event saw 208 dancers from Germany, Gibraltar, Italy and Spain participate in various dance categories throughout the 8 sessions.  

A statement from MO Productions follows below:

The overall winner and main prize was awarded to 14-year-old Celine Cruz from Mediterranean Dance School, Gibraltar, for her Jazz Solo. Out of the 79 soloists, seven dancers were selected by the adjudicator Geoff Lucas to perform in the grand final. Bursary finalists included: Eva Cruz, Chenille Brown, Kayleigh Guy, Celine Cruz, Marek Pisanu, Ayla Santos Pizarro and Syanne Ticknell-Smith.

Overall Winners as follows:

M.O. Productions Supreme Award

Celine Cruz from Mediterranean Dance School, Gibraltar

M.O Productions

Best Female Dancer of the Festival

Chenille Brown from Show Dance Company, Gibraltar

M.O Productions

Best Male Dancer of the Festival

Marek Pisanu from Danza Damaris, Italy 

M.O. Productions Sussex Award

Marek Pisanu from Danza Damaris, Italy           

M.O. Productions

Best Choregrapher 

Darina Mlynarcikova from Danza Damaris,Italy, for an Adult Duet performed by Gaia Bella and Marek Pisanu 

Lawrence Robles Award

For the Most Promising Dancer

Eva Cruz from Mediterranean Dance School, Gibraltar

Festival Organiser, Alfred Rumbo said:

‘We are delighted to have been able to produce the International Festival for 2022 and delighted it has been going on now for 20 years. We are delighted by the support received from everyone who has taken part. We are pleased with the high standards and quality of dance achieved and maintained throughout the festival and we look forward to our 21st edition in March 2023.’