UW–Madison’s Douglas Rosenberg, the Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor in Art in the School of Education, has received the 2025 Visionary Award from the kNOwBox Dance Film Festival (NBFF) for his film “The Sea.”
The Visionary Award honors a dance film that pushes artistic boundaries and redefines what dance on screen can be, celebrating innovation in storytelling, technology, and interdisciplinary collaboration. According to NBFF, “The Sea” “embodies this spirit, offering audiences a bold, unforgettable cinematic experience that expands the possibilities of movement, media, and message.”
The black-and-white film is an exploration of male intimacy, community, ritual, and art. Shot on the island of Fårö with a cast of committed non-professionals, the 60-minute screendance invokes Ingmar Bergman with its showcase of performance and staging against the landscape of the Baltic Sea.
As part of the honor, “The Sea” will receive the official NBFF “Visionary Award” laurel, a feature on NBFF’s website and social media, a guaranteed interview on the “Dance Behind the Screen” podcast, and an additional award honorarium following the festival.