Since 2015, the festival, founded by Johannes Wieland and Evangelos Poulinas, has provided a dynamic space for artistic processes, bold experiments and creative exchange within a constantly growing community.
b12 takes place annually in various editions in Berlin and brings together professional dancers and performers from all over the world. The focus is on encouraging participants to take emotional and physical risks, both on and off stage.
Each year, the summer edition offers a diverse programme of workshops, performances and events. Alongside intensive workshops and performance projects, there are discussion forums, social gatherings and free jam sessions. A curated series of dance films complements the festival programme.
Workshops
Under the motto “research or die.”, the b12 Festival sees itself as a dynamic laboratory for creative experimentation and a platform for innovative artistic formats. Here, bold ideas meet open structures: participants can explore boundaries, set new trends and redefine contemporary dance and performance art.
The multifaceted workshop programme ranges from contemporary dance, film and text-based works, movement, acrobatics and theatre to experimental formats.
Performances & Events
The performance programme takes place on the stage of DOCK 11 in Prenzlauer Berg and at the EDEN***** venue in Pankow. It is closely interwoven with the workshop programme and embodies the core values of b12: artistic exchange, a vibrant community and the joy of artistic exploration!
sungrazers
Selected workshop leaders and teachers present their full-length pieces, offering direct insights into their individual styles as well as the diversity of contemporary dance and performance art. “sungrazers” unfolds within the classical stage perspective. We look forward to works by Sebastian Zuber, Cree Barnett Williams, Jason Martin, Chrysanthi Badeka and other artists.
critical mass
Each triple bill comprises 15-minute presentations. This format showcases short pieces or excerpts performed by the b12 teachers and choreographers. There are no set rules: whether it’s a rehearsal excerpt, improvisation or an initial idea, anything is possible.
asteroids
The performance projects are developed in close collaboration between the tutors and the b12 participants; in 2025, the project will be led by edivaldo ernesto, akira yoshida, akira uchida, evangelos poulinas, glenda gheller & sofia nappi, marco di nardo, maria campos & guy nader, roni chadash and scott jennings
free radicals
Workshop participants submit their own choreographies; these performances, followed by a discussion, open up a dialogue between established and emerging voices in the scene.
luminous flux
A film evening in collaboration with the POOL – MOVEMENT ART FILM Festival Berlin. The programme is divided into two parts, with a short interval. Free admission.
And what else?
As well as workshops and performances, b12 is all about getting together! All dancers are warmly invited to the free no leader improv sessions.
Credit:
Artistic direction, concept development: Evangelos Poulinas & Johannes Wieland
Production management, work-study coordination: Gotaute Kalmatavičiūtė
Media relations: Chrysanthi Badeka
Social media management, communications, copy editing: Aliyah Rachel Rainer
Media Coordination: Swarna Rautiainen
Technical Director: Aigars Larinovs
Consultancy: Sandra Heuchel, Jana Bäskau
Graphic design, web development: Bastian Arndt
b12 Videography, editing: Keren Chernizon
b12 Photography: Carlos Collado, Manuel Meza, Tadas Almantas
Text editing: Gundel Volker, Imogen Burrell
Translation: Juliane Steenbeck
Video editing: Bibi Bauer, Giacomo Corvaia, Chrysanthi Badeka, Tadas Almantas
The b12 – Festival for Contemporary Dance and Performance Art Berlin is co-produced by DOCK ART.
Programme DOCK 11 / DOCK ART
Mavericks:
with // suspended
Lali Ayguadé // Shannon Gillen
7 / 12 July 2026, 7.30 pm
Critical Mass:
Yasmin Iriel Frione / Antoni Androulakis / Winston Reynolds
9 July 2026, 7.30 pm
Sungrazers:
Honeymoon
Sebastian Zuber
10 / 11 July 2026, 7.30 pm
Sungrazers:
Elefantin
Cree Barnett Williams
14–15 July 2026, 7.30 pm
Critical Mass:
Marco Pergallini & Stella Pitarresi / Shannon Gillen / Sonia Rodríguez
16 July 2026, 7.30 pm
Asteroids 1:
A manual for the unfinished / Pulsars / Scenes from the uncertain present
Akira Yoshida / Edivaldo Ernesto / Scott Jennings
17 / 18 / 19 July 2026, 7.30 pm
Sungrazers:
The One(s) Who Never Lived
Jason Martin
21 / 22 July 2026, 7.30 pm
Critical Mass:
Julian Barnett / TBC
23 July 2026, 7.30 pm
Asteroids 2:
Between the abstract and the defined / Komoco unleashed / Ostinato
Roni Chadash / Komoco / Glenda Gheller & Sofia Nappi / Maria Campos & Guy Nader
24 / 25 / 26 July 2026, 7.30 pm
Sungrazers
Terras
Chrysanthi Badeka
28 / 29 July 2026, 7.30 pm
Critical Mass:
Vasko Nasonov / Laja Field / Pau Aran Gimeno
30 July 2026, 7.30 pm
Asteroids 3:
Everything Forever / Resonance / Sincere Illusion
Akira Uchida / Marco di Nardo / Evangelos Poulinas
31 July / 1 / 2 August 2026, 7.30 pm