RULEBOOK
J-Fest 2025: Flow Edition
December 7, 2025
Place: Jõhvi Concert Hall (Chamber Hall)
About J-FEST
The organization MTÜ J Production brings together people of all ages, backgrounds and experience levels through a rich mix of formats: Showcase Edition, Battle Edition, Vogue Balls, Laboratory, Conference. Its mission is to create a free, inclusive environment where individuals of all ages and backgrounds can express themselves boldly and connect across boundaries of identity, culture and geography.
J-Fest stands out as a space where emerging dancers, young creatives and international artists meet to exchange, experiment, and elevate one another. Rooted in values of freedom, empowerment and accessibility, the festival plays a key role in amplifying youth voices, supporting regional development and building bridges between local and global dance communities.
Contact Information
Organizers: Natalja Šabartšina, Veera Jegorova, Edgar Rahhimov
Official Website: https://www.j-fest.eu
Social media:
  • Instagram: @j.fest2025
  • Tiktok: @j.fest
Questions about registration, payment and categories: [email protected]
General questions: [email protected]
Venue & Technical Information
Stage Specifications
Stage dimensions for performance execution: ~ 9m x 5m
Stage flooring: Dance rubberised linoleum
Judging Panel
The competition will be evaluated by an international panel of professional judges. Full information about the judging panel will be published on the official Instagram account (@j.fest2025).
Schedule Information
  • A preliminary schedule will be posted on social media 3 weeks before the event
  • The final schedule will be available on the official website 2 weeks before the event
  • NB! The organizers reserve the right to make changes. Please check updates regularly
REGISTRATION PROCESS
Information for MINI CREW category:
01
Submit Participation Request
Submit a participation request for your studio/crew via the official website
02
Receive Registration Link
Within 3 days you will receive a personalised registration link by email
03
Complete Registration
Registration closes on November 10, 2025 (incl.)
  • You may edit your registration link until this date
  • After the deadline the link will be locked and no further changes will be possible
If you are unsure which category to register for, contact us on Instagram (@j.fest2025) or by email: [email protected]
Registration Changes & Important Dates
1
November 11-25, 2025
Only the following changes are possible:
  • Dance title
  • Choreographer's name
  • Music file
After this period, organizers are not responsible for adjustments. These changes can only be made by contacting us via email.
2
December 1, 2025 (incl.)
Lineup changes due to illness are accepted until December 1, 2025 (incl.). Later changes will not result in any recalculation of participation fees

NB! This information applies to already registered routines. Adding routines after the registration deadline is not allowed
Number of dancers: 5-13 per crew (please consider stage size)
If a dancer participates in multiple crews, they must register separately for each team and pay the entry fee for each. We do not provide price adjustments for participation if a dancer performs in different teams.
Competition Categories
SOLO performance
  • All levels
  • Age: 12+
  • Categories/style: All styles
  • Duration of performance: max 2:15
NB! The number of participants is limited!
DUO performance
  • All levels
  • Age: 12+
  • Categories/style: All styles
  • Duration of performance: max 2:30
NB! The number of participants is limited!
TRIO performance
  • All levels
  • Age: 12+
  • Categories/style: All styles
  • Duration of performance: max 2:30
NB! The number of participants is limited!
Information for SOLO, DUO, TRIO categories:
  1. Each dancer/team must submit a separate registration request
  1. NB! Even if you are already registered in Mini Crew, you must register separately for Solo, Duo or Trio
  1. All styles representatives compete together in these categories
MINI CREW Categories
MINI crew (All levels)
NB! The number of participants is 5-13 dancers per performance!
Stage Division
  • Age: 12+
  • Duration of performance: 2:15-4:15 min
In this category, you can perform dances in modern, contemporary, experimental and free styles, show dance, jazz, folk dances, ballroom and Latin dances, as well as dances based on classical technique, etc. Various acrobatic stunts are prohibited. The use of decorations is allowed, but please take the stage size into account.
Street Division
  • Age: 12+
  • Duration of performance: 2:15-4:15 min
In this category, you can perform dances in street styles such as hip-hop, house, locking, jazz funk, krump, vogue, afro, etc. Various acrobatic stunts are prohibited. The use of decorations is allowed, but please take the stage size into account.
Heels
  • Age: 16+
  • Duration of performance: 2:15-4:15 min
Heels dance is performed while wearing high-heeled shoes (stilettos, latin/ballroom shoes, heeled boots, pole heels etc). Heels dance can be performed to a variety of music genres and dance styles. Various acrobatic stunts are prohibited. The use of decorations is allowed, but please take the stage size into account.
BATTLE Categories
Information for BATTLE categories:
  1. The registration form is available on www.j-fest.eu
  1. If you are also participating in performance categories (Mini Crew / Solo / Duo / Trio), you must register separately for each
Me against the music 1vs1
  • Any style, switching styles during the battle is allowed
  • The key is to listen and adapt to the music
  • DJ plays a wide variety of music in different styles
  • Judges select the TOP-8 dancers to pass on to the battles
Hip-Hop 1vs1, Heels 1vs1
  • DJ provides music for all battles
  • Judges select the TOP-8 dancers per category to pass on to the battles
Random Duo 2vs2
  • Open to dancers of all styles;
  • DJ provides music for all battles
  • Judges select the 16 dancers per category to pass on to the battles
  • 16 dancers are randomly paired into 8 duos
  • Battles may be performed in any style, but partners must show connection with each other
FINAL ROUND
  • When one pair remains, the partners split up;
  • Each dancer chooses a new partner from those eliminated earlier;
  • Two new duos are formed;
These pairs battle for 1st place.
  • Preselection: 40 seconds per dancer
  • Quarterfinals & Semifinals: 1 round each
  • Final: 2 rounds each
  • Round limit: max 60 seconds
  • Judging criteria: basics, technique, originality, dynamic movement, presentation and battle preparation
  • Judges may request extra rounds if necessary, at their discretion;
  • After each battle, judges vote by raising their hand for the winner.
Music Requirements
(MINI crew categories, Solo, Duo, Trio):
All music must be in high-quality MP3 format
Each performer/team must keep a backup USB available at all times
File naming: CATEGORY_TEAM NAME-NAME OF THE PERFORMANCE, written only in Latin characters
Music must not contain a lot of inappropriate, lewd or offensive language
Each studio/crew must upload all tracks into one folder and send a Google Drive link to: [email protected]
Deadline: November 19, 2025 incl.
Evaluation Criteria
The professional jury evaluates each dance routine based on clear criteria. All jury scores will be sent to studio directors within two weeks after the event.
Each routine will be evaluated based on five criteria:
10
Composition
Structure, theme, and concept development
10
Technique
Skill execution and precision
10
Choreography
Creative movement and originality
10
Performance
Emotions, energy, execution, acting
3
Visual
Makeup and costume presentation

NB! If a routine is found to be plagiarised, the dance composition will be disqualified.
PARTICIPATION/START FEE:
Individual Categories
  • SOLO 15€
  • DUO 15€ per dancer (30€ per duo)
  • TRIO 15€ per dancer (45€ per trio)
NB! SOLO, DUO and TRIO are considered and paid for separately.
Group Categories
  • MINI CREW 20€ (each next crew showcase +10€)
  • BATTLE 15€ for the first category (each next category +5€)
  • Each Mini Crew receives 1 free ticket for a coach or team member;
  • Studios bringing more than 5 dancers across different Flow Edition categories receive 1 free ticket for the studio director/coach;
  • Studios/crews requiring an invoice must notify the organizers in advance and provide all necessary details: [email protected];
All invoices issued by the organizers must be paid no later than December 3, 2025 incl.
Refund Policy:
Recalculations of participation fees are not possible after December 1, 2025.
  • Refunds will only be issued in the event of cancellation of the festival by the organizers.
  • In all other cases (illness, absence, lineup changes, etc.), paid fees are non-refundable
Awards & Recognition
Mini Crews
Trophies, diplomas, sponsor gifts for 1st-3rd places
Solo/Duo/Trio
Medals, diplomas, sponsor gifts for 1st-3rd places
Battles
Medals, diplomas, sponsor gifts for 1st-2nd places
General & Important Information

Age Limits: Minimum age for participation: 12+ (all categories). For MINI Crew Heels and Battle: Heels 1vs1 categories dancers must be 16+. Spectators of all ages are welcome.
  • The event will be organized in accordance with the health and safety regulations issued by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Estonia.
  • All participants and spectators will receive a wristband at the registration desk upon arrival. The wristband serves as proof of a valid ticket and grants access to the event. It must be worn at all times and remain clearly visible throughout the entire event. In case of lost, removed or damaged wristbands, a new wristband must be purchased at the price of a regular spectator ticket. Access to the event may be denied without a valid wristband;
  • Each participant must carry their identity card or passport at the event;
  • The use of alcohol, tobacco, e-cigarettes and drugs is strictly prohibited;
  • Food and drinks may not be brought into the auditorium (where the performances take place and where the audience is seated) of Jõhvi Concert Hall;
  • Damage to Jõhvi Concert Hall property will result in an invoice to the responsible party;
  • If performances involve props (mirrors, glitter, confetti, liquids, sharp objects etc.), the director must inform the organizers in advance. Inappropriate use of props or causing damage to the stage/dance floor may result in disqualification;
  • Disrespectful or disruptive behaviour towards organizers, staff or other participants will result in immediate disqualification and placement on the event blacklist;
  • Participants perform at their own risk. The organizers are not liable for injuries or lost property
AGREEMENT & MEDIA
By participating in J-Fest 2025: Flow Edition 2025, all dancers, studio directors, coaches and choreographers agree to comply with these rules and accept the judges’ decisions;

Negative political or religious statements towards any festival participant are strictly prohibited;
Judges and the organizer team may disqualify any dancer or team for disrespectful behaviour or for disturbing other participants;
The organizers have the right to photograph and record video during the event and to publish such materials on official platforms, as well as to use them subsequently in informational and promotional materials related to the event.
All performances and battles will be recorded and uploaded to the official J-FEST YouTube channel.
LOST & FOUND
  • The organizers will not operate a lost and found service during or after the event;
  • All belongings left behind at the venue will not be stored or returned;
  • Any items left after the event will be donated to charity organizations (e.g., Sõbralt Sõbrale) or disposed of in designated containers;
  • Participants and studios are fully responsible for their own belongings.

ACCOMMODATION:
If you have any questions regarding accommodation, please contact: [email protected]
Information about our hotel partners and group discounts will be shared on the official Instagram account (@j.fest2025).
SEE YOU AT FLOW EDITION