Youth Development Via Social Art, Creative Employability, World Class Leadership Pathways
Aged 3-25
Development programming includes: Dance Studio Manchester and Music Studio Manchester daily classes, Rotation Dance Exchange Primary and Secondary Schools program, Debate Club with Model of United Nations, Black Youth Forum, Face Festival, Dance Teachers Training. Pathways delivered daily, weekly and Annually. operations in Greater Manchester, Yorkshire and Milton keys.
FACE Festival 2026
FACE Festival is back! For our 9th edition of the Festival we are back in our home city, Manchester, UK and we are bringing together artists, entrepreneurs, dancers, filmmakers, diplomats and young people to showcase, celebrate and learn.
Join us from the Fri 6th - Sun 15th November across 10 days of festival programming. Trust us, you don’t want to miss this!
The Festival Opening Ceremony in Rochdale marks the beginning of a powerful 10 days of global creativity, dialogue, and cultural exchange. Bringing together international guests, community leaders, artists, and young change makers, the ceremony celebrates the spirit of unity, creativity, and leadership that defines the Face Festival.
This year’s opening also launches Elevate Young Minds’ vision to establish an activity studio in Rochdale, as part of our commitment to developing Greater Manchester’s creative spaces for Global Majority artists and young people. The initiative aims to incubate and nurture creative excellence and leadership, providing a dedicated platform where ideas, innovation, and collaboration can thrive.
More than just an opening event, the ceremony stands as a symbol of empowerment and connection, setting the tone for a week that reimagines how art, culture, and community can shape a more inclusive and inspired future.
Face Festival est. 2017 is a youth & Global Majority led, Greater Manchester-wide international festival, for creatives, cultural leaders, and social entrepreneurs. With year round learning culminating in a 10 day festival, with 7 non-traditional pathways into creative industry careers and leadership, platforming output in Theatre, Film, Music, Festival development, Model United Nations, Techwell, & RDE Hub teacher training.
Face Festival Itinerary
Face Festival Itinerary
Nov 5th - International Guest Arrival
Nov 6th - Opening Ceremony. (Rochdale) Face International Model of United Nations
Nov 7th - Face Festival International Model of United Nations
Nov 8th - Face Festival International Model of United Nations + Award Ceremony
Nov 9th- - Youth Employment Study Group + MUN Resolution Presentation
Nov 10th - Climate Justice Summit & RDE Global Network Forum
Nov 11th - Creative Employability Schools Forum + Youth Music Concert
Nov 12th - Face Film Screening + Public Youth Forum
Nov 13th - RDE Schools Championship + Creative Employability Forum + Hip Hop Theatre Evening
Nov 14th - Rotation Dance Exchange Day1(at Harpurhey Neighbourhood Project) + Music Concert (Djs,Mc and Live music)
Nov 15th - Rotation Dance Exchange Day2 (at Manchester Arndale) + YCL Award Ceremony
Sat 14th November | 10:00-20:00 | RDE Day 2
Conran St, Harpurhey, Manchester M9 5PR
Grab your tickets now for Rotation Dance Exchange Finals coming to Manchester, Experience Hip Hop and dance battle culture, witness the crowning of new champions, and enjoy our culture of positive dance battles. RDE thrives in the community by spotlighting dancers from all backgrounds, bringing together dancers, live music, DJ's, street art, and more!
Expect, showcases from multiple
TIMETABLE
Day 2 - Qualifiers across all battles, workshops and After Party
Harpurhey Neighbourhood Project, Conran St, Manchester, M9 5PR and Dance Studio Manchester
A community event, bringing together dancers to celebrate a culture and heritage in extensive exchange. Whatever your age or level, young or old, beginner or advanced, test your flavour. RDE ensures a regular coming together of different Hip Hop & affiliated movement dance styles, that embrace exchange culture : Breaking, Popping, Hip Hop, Waacking etc.
Date & Time : Saturday 14th November 2026
Judges : Ynot (USA), Foggy (UK) +
Music by : Godzi (Portugal) + Jamfu (UK)
Host : Flowrex
(*) Payment made via Paypal or direct bank transfer.
Participants will be interviewed as part of our ongoing series on Rotation Dance Exchange TV. You can also enjoy our lead up series on YouTube, at Rotation Dance Exchange TV :
https://www.youtube.com/@rotationdanceexchangetv
Inquiry : admin@elevateyoungminds.uk
Thursday 12th November | 18:00 - 21:00
50 Red Bank, Cheetham Hill, Manchester, M4 4HF
Hosted at CULTPLEX, a local independent cinema in Cheetham Hill, this year’s edition of Face Film celebrates stories at the margins spotlighting a powerful selection of thought-provoking films from talented young filmmakers, locally and internationally. Filmmakers will participate in Q&As to share their perspectives on film making and the impact of independent cinema, including two new film commissions for the festival.
Tuesday 10th November | 10:00 - 17:00
39 Harris Street, Cheetham Hill, Manchester, M8 8EE
Centred around the question ‘Where do we grow from here?’, our urban gardening club, Harvest is working in collaboration with the Commonwealth Youth Climate Change Network (CYCN) and the Youth for Climate Justice initiative to try and answer this question.
Bringing together local, national and international voices the forum creates a space for climate justice conversations while turning this into practical takeaways through workshops that transform young people into agents of change.
Elevate Young Minds is a black led, solution driven youth organisation. Since 2016 we have designed and maintained pathways and opportunities for young people predominantly in the north of England. Ensuring world class quality development in the Arts, Enterprise and Leadership.
Our Black Youth Forum is a dedicated space for Black, African, and Caribbean youth to celebrate their culture and act on social issues, including racial discrimination. For young people passionate about Diplomacy, Human Rights, UN, Business, Entrepreneurship, and more. The debate is designed to shape and prepare the next generation of leaders through creativity, arts and leadership.
We champion and drive young people to unlock and develop careers around their positive obsession, ensuring none privilege beginning to have the resource pool for success. provides development activities and opportunities for young people aged 5-25, in Greater Manchester. Currently based in Monsall, our local community is extremely deprived, with the Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD, 2019) putting it in the 1st decile for Crime, Education & training, Employment, and Income.
Supporting education and innovation. Since 2015
2017 Goal toward 2030 - To Develop 10, 000 - Artist Entrepreneur and leaders in line with United Nations Sustainable goals.
