BERNICE MULENGA
CIRCA PRIZE 2024 WINNER
On October 1st 2024, on the iconic Piccadilly Lights, visual artist Bernice Mulenga was announced as the winner of CIRCA PRIZE 2024 for their film Let’s Move On – representing the “embodiment of freedom and going against the rules,” as a tribute of their “community and self, as one.” Selected from over 1,700 worldwide submissions responding to the call to <<Break Free>>, the 2.5 min piece represents a new step into moving image following nearly a decade, of documenting the fierceness and intimacy of Black and queer resilience—both on and off the dancefloor—in their series #friendsonfilm. Echoing the words of poet Thulani Davis“I don’t wanna riot / don’t wanna riot / it’s Saturday morning / and I wanna dance”, Bernice reflects the duality of fighting for freedom of Black communities while yearning for liberation through dance—an act that reconciles identity struggles. Marking their first award ever, we spoke with Bernice about CIRCA PRIZE 2024, their artistic vision, commitment to fostering community, the importance of intimacy and the materialisation of a dream.