The featured companies are: Anna Wyman Dance Theatre, Danny Grossman Dance Company, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, Le Groupe de la Place Royale, National Ballet of Canada, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Toronto Dance Theatre, and Winnipeg's Contemporary Dancers. Agency:.Co-produced by the NFB and the Canada Council.

Director, John N. Smith ; producer, John N. Smith ; editing, John N. Smith ; director, Michael McKennirey ; producer, Michael McKennirey ; editing, Michael McKennirey ; executive producer, Adam Symansky ; photography, Savas Kalogeras, Susan Trow, Tony Ianzelo, Roger Rochat, Barry Perles, Roger Moride, Paul Cowan, Andreas Poulsson ; sound, Claude Hazanavicius ; sound editing, André Galbrand.

Recorded 1982.

For the first time in Canadian dance history, eight of the country's leading dance companies gathered to perform on a single stage. The time, May 1981. The place, the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. The event, billed as the Canadian Dance Spectacular, offered a rich program of classical and jazz ballet, modern dance, gymnastics, pantomime and theatre. As well as recording this outstanding performance, Gala went backstage to capture the pre-performance jitters and post-performance elation. A film that showcases Canada's cultural heritage. Film without words.

Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Award given to the film Gala for its didactic strength and poetic impact, 1983 City of Les Sables d'Olonne Award, 1983 Gold Star Award, 1984

Description based on online resource; title from title screen (National Film Board of Canada, viewed 2023-08-10).