The 23rd Gibraltar International Dance Festival was recently organised by M.O. Productions at the John Mackintosh Hall Theatre between 26th February and 1st March 2025. The event saw 259 dancers from, England, Gibraltar, Italy and Spain participate in various dance categories throughout the 10 sessions. 

A statement from M.O. Productions follows below:

The overall winner and main prize was awarded to 15-year-old Lewis Llamas from the Mediterranean Dance School from Gibraltar, with a Show Dance Solo. Out of the 129 soloists, eight dancers were selected by the adjudicator Karen Blackburn to perform in the grand final. Bursary finalists included: Jayce Caetano, Lewis Llamas, Juliana Martin and Lyniah Marquez from Gibraltar; Caterina Bonetto from Italy; and Samuel Gallo Marquez, Carmencita Medel, and David Rotaru from Spain.   

Overall, Winners as follows:

M.O. Productions Supreme Award and Overall Winner

Lewis Llamas from the Mediterranean Dance School, Gibraltar

M.O Productions Best Female Dance of the Festival

Caterina Bonetto from GMA Dance Acadaemy, England

M.O Productions Best Male Dancer of the Festival

Samuel Gallo Marquez from Innovations Dance Company, Spain

M.O. Productions Sussex Award           

David Rotaru from the Escuela De Danza Martina Tessaro, Spain

M.O. Productions Best Choreographer

Genyka Celecia from the Mediterranean Dance School for an Adult Formation ‘War Wives’ 

Lawrence Robles Award for the Most Promising Dancer

Juliana Martin from the Mediterranean Dance School, Gibraltar

DSA Sequence Dance Award for best Duet

Aaron Beltran and Samuel Gallo Marquez from Innovations Dance Company, Spain

Festival Organiser, Alfred Rumbo said: ‘We are delighted to have been able to produce the International Festival for 2025 and delighted it has been going on now for over 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 24th edition in March 2026.’