When two dancers are asked to partner at an audition each struggles with the flip sides of homophobia before finding common footing. Set in a Victorian ballroom overlooking the San Francisco skyline, the dancers take a journey through genres of partner dancing, addressing homophobia and effeminophobia.

Rooted in Hustle, the dancers move through its various influences such as mambo and lindy-hop while integrating elements of contemporary hip-hop. During this duet, they develop a relationship, breakthrough societal norms, and come to terms with platonic intimacy. Shot with a remote head and jib the camera sweeps through the fast-paced choreography capturing hustle as a transcendent force of black joy and tenderness.

This short film was part of a past San Francisco Dance Film Festival season. Tune in this October to see select films from the 2024 festival.