Light Fantastic

You may think we're in post-Flatpack hibernation, but it's far from the truth. On the horizon are events with Ikon Gallery and Birmingham Book Bash (including the return of Neil Brand), but most imminently we've put together a season of dance films to complement International Dance Festival Birmingham. IDFB happens every two years, gathering performers from across the world in one place for three weeks, and just as it's kicking off next Wednesday our first film will be screening at mac.

The tale of Philippe Petit's barmy high-wire feats between the towers of the World Trade Centre in 1974, Man on Wire isn't an obvious dance movie, but iconic Canadian dancer Louise Lecavalier has selected it as a sublime example of grace under pressure. She will be present to introduce the film, and if you've not yet seen it we'd strongly recommend the heart-thumping experience of watching it in a cinema. (For some background on Lecavalier, check out the brutal 'Human Sex'. NSFW.)

Then beyond that there's the UK premiere of the Trost Brothers' wonderfully daft sci-fi dance-battle movie The FP, Pina in 3D, the return of dancehall doc and Flatpack highlight Hit Me With Music and Digbeth Shuffle, a knees-up at the Spotted Dog with 60s go-go troupe The Actionettes. Flatpack shorts fans should also check out Fever Chart, a selection of films including Mark Leckey's marvellous VHS reverie on northern soul and rave culture, Fiorucci Made Me Hardcore. Film tickets are now on sale through mac and Electric, and the full programme is at idfb.co.uk/lightfantastic.