The AFEA Competition was created to allow amateur dancers, or dancers in the process of professionalization, to confront the stage and students from other schools, in order to gauge the level in which they are located.
For teachers, it is a way to give themselves goals and to meet other teachers by discovering ways of working and diverse universes.
It is open to dancers aged 8 to 25, on January 1 of the year of the competition.
DATE AND PLACE OF THE CONTEST
The competition events will take place on SATURDAY 18 & SUNDAY 19 APRIL 2026 at the Théâtre L'Azimut de CHATENAY-MALABRY (92).
The young companies will spend MONDAY, APRIL 20, with a complete work in connection with the director technicians of the theater, all Friday afternoon.
Admission for the public will be €12 (€18 for the 2-day pass) for adults and €7 for children (-12 years old).
It will be free for participants and teachers.
REGISTRATION CONDITIONS
Registration will be effective upon receipt of the complete file (registration and online payment).
It is possible to register without knowing your music and the exact timing of it. Please mention an approximate timing and then send us additional information by email, as soon as it is known.
The convocations will be sent by email, to the address provided during registration or to the teacher, no later than 15 days before the date of the competition. The contest organizers reserve the right to close registrations before the deadline, if the contest is full.
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The music is to be sent by email to cidpmusique@gmail.com, when you have received your summons with your passage number and must be renamed as follows: "Number - Name of the dancer or choreographer. - Category - starting placement"
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NUMBER OF PASSAGES
A dancer can appear on 3 passages over the entire competition (except for an improvisation, which can be in addition, i.e. a 4th passage).
It is not possible to present 2 passages in the same category and the same style (example: it is not possible to present 2 jazz solos)
No derogation will be made on the number of passages; however, a waiting list is possible if the competition is not full on the closing date of registration).
REGISTRATION FEES
- €35 for a solo
- duos €20 per dancer
- groups: €15 per dancer
- €15 for the improvisation category
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CATEGORIES and MINUTES
SOLOS
Preparatory category: 8-10 years
Choreography from 1 to 1.30 min maximum
Category 1: 11-12 years old
Choreography from 1 to 1.45 min maximum
Category 2: 13-14 years old
Choreography from 1.30 to 2 min maximum
Category 3: 15-16 years old
Choreography from 1.45 to 2 min maximum
Category 4: 17-25 years old
Choreography from 1.45 to 2 min maximum
Improvisation category: all ages
Improvisation on unexpected music from 1 to 1.30 min depending on the age of the candidate
And 2 levels in each category: amateur level, pre-professional level (from 3 courses per week in the discipline)
In category 4, the professional level is added, for candidates preparing the E.A.T. (Technical Skills Exam) or in professional training as a dancer or dance teacher (D.E.).
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Dancers who have been reclassified to pre-pro on the previous edition must automatically register in this level.
A teacher has the possibility to present a maximum of 3 students on the same variation, only in the amateur level of the preparatory categories, 1 and 2.
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DUOS and GROUPS:
Preparatory category: candidates aged between 8 and 12 years
Free choreography of 1 to 2 min maximum
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Category 1: candidates aged between 10 and 14 years
Free choreography from 1.30 to 3 min maximum
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Category 2: candidates aged between 13 and 18
Free choreography of 2 to 3 minutes maximum
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Category 3: candidates aged between 15 and 25 years
Free choreography of 2.30 to 3 min maximum
Categories "youth companies": confirmed dancers, with no age limit
Creation or extract of a piece of a maximum duration of 15 minutes.
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Groupes : à partir de 3 danseurs.
A group must be registered as a pre-professional if half of its members take 3 dance classes (or more) per week in the discipline.
Or if one of the members, taking 3 dance classes (or more) per week, has a leading role, highlighting him technically on several occasions, in the choreography.
An age exemption may be granted for a member of a group who is one year younger or older than the age required for the category.
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CATEGORY IMPRO
The improvisation category is open to all ages.
The music will be drawn at the time of the passage on stage.
The candidate is free to choose to dance without music.
The duration of the improvisation will be 1 min for dancers aged 8 to 14 and 1min30 for 14 years and over.
The discipline is not specified in this category.
UP TO 5 DANCERS FROM THE SAME SCHOOL CANNOT BE REGISTERED IN THIS CATEGORY.
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CATEGORY YOUNG COMPANIES
The "youth companies" category will be passed on Friday, April 20, 2026. It is open to confirmed dancers, with no age limit.
In this category, there is no distinction of style (jazz, contemporary...).
Beyond the technique, the requirement will be marked on the purpose and the choreographic and scenographic composition.
It is possible to present only a piece extract (15 minutes maximum).
The advantage of this category is access to feedback from one of the jury members, in the form of a quick interview, for the choreographer.
Registrations for this category are made, on video selection (extract or passage of 15 minutes entirely).
Please send your videos, accompanied by a short argument of the piece, by email or we transfer to associationafea@gmail.com before January 15, 2026.
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RATING CRITERIA
Dancers will be penalized in case of non-compliance with the imposed durations.
Dancers who seem to have excellent technique and registered in the amateur category may be penalized.
The scoring of the choreographies will be based on the writing work (diversity of steps and space taking), the technical execution of the dancer according to his age category and the interpretation given to the movement.
The applause will only be done at the end of the categories, so as not to influence the jury.
OUTFITS AND ACCESSORIES
The outfits are free.
Props are allowed only if the dancers themselves put them in place and remove them from the stage.
Objects that degrade the scene for the following passages are strictly prohibited and may penalize dancers (talc, water, rosin, glitter, feathers...).
CANDIDATES MUST PRESENT THEMSELVES IN STAGE CLOTHES AT THE AWARD CEREMONY.
RÉCOMPENSES
All candidates will be called to the stage and will receive a diploma, as well as a medal, a cup or a trophy, depending on their ranking. The prize will be awarded according to the average of twenty of the marks obtained and after deliberation of the jury.
18 (or greater than 18): Gold Medal and jury congratulations
17: Gold Medal unanimously
16: Gold Medal
14-15: Silver Medal
12-13: Bronze medal
11: Mention
10 (or less than 10): Encouragement
"Encouragement" AWARD - RE-REGISTRATION CONDITIONS
The "Encouragements" prize is awarded to participants whose technical or artistic level does not yet correspond to the expectations of the competition.
In order to guarantee a global change in the quality of services, participants who received this award in 2025 are not allowed to re-register for the 2026 edition. (Those who will get it in 2026, for 2027 etc..)
Nevertheless, we encourage them to continue their progress and to return with other projects once their level is strengthened.
JURY
It will be composed of eminent personalities from the world of dance, experienced pedagogues, recognized for their results and their real knowledge of jazz and contemporary dance, both amateur and professional.
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PHOTOS-VIDÉOS
Shooting, videos and photos are strictly prohibited. Anyone who does not have accreditation from the AFEA association will be excluded from the room and may be prosecuted. Competitors have no rights to the shots, television, videos, photos or others, made during the competition or its preparation.
CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION
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The organizers disclaim all responsibility in case of damage, material or physical, caused or suffered, by the candidates, whether during their participation in the competition, outside and on the premises.
The organizers are not responsible for thefts within the competition.
Registration fees are non-refundable in case of withdrawal.
The organizers reserve the right to exclude a candidate in case of force majeure.
The organizers reserve the right to change the course of the competition.
Only people with convocations will be allowed to enter the boxes on the day of the competition.
Participation in the competition implies full acceptance of these rulest.
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