The Latinx Movement Festival in Washington, DC is a dynamic annual event that celebrates the expansive artistry of Latinx dance makers and cultural workers across the United States. Founded and directed by independent artist Gabriel Mata, the festival is rooted in the value of movement as both a physical and cultural practice. The festival highlights Latinx creators whose work engages contemporary, queer, and traditional forms of performance, movement, and storytelling. The Latinx Movement Festival DC offers a platform for voices often underrepresented in the dance and performance fields, while creating a welcoming space for cross-generational and interdisciplinary collaboration.

The festival was launched in 2024 with a successful inaugural season at Dance Place, featuring Carne Viva Dance Theater, Primera Generación Dance Collective, Xochipilli Dance Company, Salome Nieto, Gabriel Mata & Amelia Estrada and local commissioned choreographers: Angel Ramirez & Tabata Vara. In 2025, the festival returns with expanded programming that includes film, multigenerational performances, community classes, artist talks, and new commissioned works. Collaborators for the second annual festival include artists Armando Ibañez, Felipe Moltedo, Corazón Folklórico DC, Joel Mejia Smith, and emerging local choreographers Armani Colón and Angel Ramirez.

Driven by Gabriel Mata’s vision and supported by a growing network of community partners and artists, the Latinx Movement Festival is not just a celebration of dance—it is a movement for visibility, equity, and cultural celebration that continues to build momentum each year.