The independent performing arts continue to be affected by crises in particular ways. In order to support artists from this field, the Performing Arts Fund launched and funded about 25 laboratories between May and August 2022, ranging from puppetry, object theatre and music theatre to dance, performance and drama to theatre in public spaces and contemporary circus. This film documents the artistic work and research of these (also online) laboratories spread across the Federal Republic of Germany in times of social transformation. Perspectives of Danny Banany, Mable Preach, Mieke Matzke, Simone Dede Ayivi, Stefan Kaegi, Susanne Schuster and others are made visible on the big screen, and numerous curators and artistic directors from various production venues and festivals have their say, among them HAU Hebbel am Ufer. “DENNOCH! – Zur Lage der freien Künste” (NEVERTHELESS! – On the State of the Independent Arts) shows the polyphony of aesthetics, practices and places and combines them into a common language.