AFDA Cape Town third-year Motion Picture student Alexa Keira Julies is proving that creative excellence knows no boundaries. While pursuing her studies in Character Design and Styling and Production Design, Alexa has simultaneously achieved remarkable success in the international dance arena, representing South Africa at one of the world’s leading dance competitions.
At just 20 years old, Alexa embodies the multidisciplinary spirit that defines many AFDA students. Although her academic focus is firmly rooted in filmmaking and visual storytelling, her passion for the arts extends beyond the screen. Dance, which she describes as her first love, has been a central part of her life since the age of eight, when she was inspired after watching a relative perform.
Today, Alexa dances with two highly respected Cape Town-based crews. She has been a member of Inferno, under The Phoenix Collective led by Jay Phoenix, for the past seven years. Over the last four years, the crew has established an impressive winning streak in dance competitions. She is also a member of Basic Black, a renowned mega crew directed by Kim Cummings and choreographed by Rudi Smit, known for its consistent success on both national and international stages.
In November 2025, both crews competed in the Dance Star South Africa qualifiers, earning the opportunity to represent South Africa at the Dance Star World Finals in Croatia in 2026. Inferno secured a shared second place in the Urban Group Seniors category, qualifying for the prestigious A-League competition. Basic Black claimed first place in the Commercial Seniors Formations category, won the Best Choreography award, and also qualified for the A-League.
Preparing for an international competition while beginning the demanding third year of a Motion Picture degree presented significant challenges. Between lectures, meetings, production shoots and rehearsals, Alexa often moved directly from campus commitments to dance practice, balancing late-night shoots with equally intensive training sessions.
Despite the demanding schedule, she remained committed to both pursuits.
“Balancing dance and my studies was challenging,” she reflects. “There were days when I would go straight from AFDA meetings or shoots into rehearsals that lasted until late at night. It required a lot of discipline and dedication, but I was determined to make both work.”
Months of preparation culminated in May 2026 when Inferno and Basic Black travelled to Croatia to compete against dancers from 23 countries, including Slovenia, Turkey, Austria, the Netherlands, Germany, Romania and Poland.
Adding to the challenge, Alexa and a fellow Inferno dancer formed a duo called Twin Flames and entered the Commercial Duo/Trio/Quartet category. Having not qualified in South Africa, the pair successfully qualified for the A-League competition in Croatia just one day after arriving, earning the opportunity to compete alongside the world’s top performers.
The results were exceptional:
- Inferno – 2nd Place, Urban Group Seniors Category (A-League)
- Basic Black – 1st Place, Commercial Seniors Formations Category (A-League) and Best Urban Choreography
- Twin Flames – 3rd Place, Commercial Duo/Trio/Quartet Seniors Category (A-League)
The achievements not only represent personal milestones but also contribute to South Africa’s growing reputation for artistic excellence on the international stage.
Alexa credits much of her success to the unwavering support of her family.
“I am incredibly proud of what our crews achieved, not only for ourselves but for our country. More than that, I am proud that I was able to balance my studies with these commitments. None of this would have been possible without my parents, who have supported both my passions in film and dance every step of the way.”
AFDA, Africa’s leading School for the Creative Economy, encourages students to develop their creative talents across multiple disciplines, fostering the resilience, collaboration and dedication required to succeed in today’s creative industries. Alexa’s journey demonstrates how passion, discipline and perseverance can open doors to opportunities both in South Africa and on the global stage.