Shortfilm: The Funky Monkeys Originals Episode 1

In our latest short film, we follow the story of Chika Yamanaka, a hip-hop dancer from Japan with over 22 years of experience, who has recently become a part of The Funky Monkeys. After a successful career in Japan and reaching the finals of the world-renowned urban dance competition "Juste Debout" in Paris, Chika made the decision to follow her passion for dance in a new country. Through her story, we discover what it means to reinvent oneself in the pursuit of artistic freedom.

Chika Yamanaka participated in our audition in February 2024, where we had the opportunity to witness her incredible talent. Since then, she has been a valuable asset to our team.

A special thanks for allowing us to film at the State Ballet School Berlin and School of Circus Arts, where Chika taught a week-long Hip-Hop workshop this year. We would also like to thank the Krapoldi im Park Festival in Innsbruck, where most of the footage was captured.

Join us as we dive into Chika’s inspiring journey with The Funky Monkeys – a true example of courage and passion!