THE DAVID DANCE

David, the host of a local, gay radio show in Buffalo, New York, struggles with self-doubt when his single sister asks him to be the father figure for her soon-to-be-adopted Brazilian child. Past and present intertwine in this bittersweet winter’s tale of a man learning to love and accept himself.

WINNER: AUDIENCE AWARD: BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE FILM - TALLGRASS FILM FESTIVAL.

WINNER: AUDIENCE AWARD: BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE FILM - LONG ISLAND GAY & LESBIAN FILM FESTIVAL (Men's)

WINNER: BEST PICTURE, BEST DIRECTOR, LGBT SPIRIT AWARD - NEW HOPE FILM FESTIVAL

WINNER: JURY AWARD, BEST FEATURE FILM & AUDIENCE AWARD, BEST FEATURE FILM - SENE FILM, MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL

WINNER: JURY AWARD, BEST FEATURE FILM - LONG ISLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM EXPO

WINNER: BEST SCREENPLAY, BEST LGBT FILM, BEST EDITING & BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS - NOVA FILM FEST

WINNER: JURY AWARD: TEA DANCE GAY & LESBIAN FILM FESTIVAL

  • Aprill Winney
    Director
    The Fosters, Counting Backwards, Brushfires
  • Don Scime
    Writer
  • Don Scime
    Producer
  • Don Scime
    Key Cast
    The Will
  • Guy Adkins
    Key Cast
  • Antoinette LaVecchia
    Key Cast
    Deliver Us From Evil
  • Jordan Baker
    Key Cast
    Another Earth
  • Tonye Patano
    Key Cast
    Weeds
  • Project Type:
    Feature
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 43 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    February 15, 2014
  • Production Budget:
    200,000 USD
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.35
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Cinequest Film Festival
    San Jose, CA
    March 8, 2014
    World Premiere
  • Newport Beach Film festival
    Newport Beach, CA
    April 29, 2014
    Southern California premiere
  • Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
    Miami
    May 6, 2014
    East Coast premiere
  • Woods Hole Film Festival
    Woods Hole, MA
    August 1, 2014
    New England Premiere
    Runner up - Best Feature (Audience Award)
  • Chichester International Film Festival (UK)
    Chichester, England
    August 20, 2014
    European Premiere
  • Reeling 32 : Chicago LGBT International Film Festival
    Chicago
    September 20, 2014
    Midwest Premiere
  • Cinema Diverse: Palm Springs Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
    Palm Springs, CA
    September 20, 2014
    FESTIVAL FAVORITE
  • Tallgrass Film Festival
    Wichita, Kansas
    October 18, 2014
    WINNER: AUDIENCE AWARD: BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE FILM
  • Long Island Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
    Huntington, New York
    November 10, 2014
    WINNER: AUDIENCE AWARD: BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE FILM (Men's)
  • Rehoboth Beach Film Society / Another Take LGBT Film Series
    Rehoboth Beach, DE
    February 14, 2015
    Delaware Premiere
  • Sunscreen Film Festival
    St. Petersburg, Florida
    May 2, 2015
  • Outview LGBT Film Festival
    Athens, Greece
    May 8, 2015
    Greece premiere
  • SoHo International Film Festival
    New York City
    May 15, 2015
    NYC premiere
    Nominated - Best Feature Film
  • New Hope Film Festival
    New Hope, PA
    July 30, 2015
    Pennsylvania premiere
    WINNER - GRAND JURY AWARDS: BEST PICTURE, BEST DIRECTOR, LGBT SPIRIT AWARD
  • Connecticut Film Festival
    Bethel, CT
    August 5, 2015
    CT Premiere
  • Landlocked Film Festival
    Iowa City, IA
    Iowa Premiere
  • Fargo-Moorhead LGBT Film Festival
    Fargo, ND
    September 12, 2015
    North Dakota premiere
  • Golden Door International Film Festival
    Jersey City, New Jersey
    September 25, 2015
    New Jersey Premiere
  • Out on Film LGBT Film Festival
    Atlanta, Georgia
    October 2, 2015
    Atlanta Premiere
  • Richard Harris International Film Festival
    Limerick, Ireland
    October 25, 2015
    Irish Premiere
  • Alexandria Film Festival
    Alexandria, VA
    November 8, 2015
  • 50 Giorni di Cinema - Florence Queer Festival
    Florence, Italy
    November 14, 2015
    Italian Premiere
  • Anchorage International Film Festival

    December 8, 2015
  • SENE Film, Music & Arts Festival
    Providence, RI
    United States
    April 22, 2016
    Rhode Island Premiere
    WINNER: Jury Award, Best Feature Film & Audience Award, Best Feature Film
  • Emerge Film Festival
    Lewiston / Auburn
    United States
    April 30, 2016
    Maine
  • Wild Rose Independent Film Festival

    United States
    May 17, 2016
    Iowa
    12 Distinctive Achievement Awards including Best Picture
  • Twin Cities Fiim Fest Out Festival
    Minneapolis, Minnesota
    United States
    June 11, 2016
    Minnesota
  • Long Island International Film Expo
    Bellmore, New York
    United States
    July 14, 2016
    Bellmore
    WINNER, Jury Award: Best Feature Film
Director Biography - Aprill Winney

Aprill won BEST DIRECTOR for "The David Dance" at The New Hope Film Festival. She has directed several episodes of the ABC Family drama, "The Fosters" and the Amazon original series, "Just Add Magic".

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

On first encounter, “The David Dance” is the story of a man who isn't comfortable in his own skin. Self-doubt prevents him from living the life he is capable of. He relies on his radio personality, “Danger Dave”, to break him out of his shell and speak his mind.

What spoke to me about the story was the complexity of the character and his ever changing outlook. As the story builds, we learn about David’s experiences, both childhood and present day, which explain his fears and hesitations. We also learn about the love and inspiration of his sister, which pull him through his stubborn ways and into the sun. Connecting the dots from past experience to emotional issue, from inspiration to change is the point of view I wanted to explore. We are all a product of where we have come from and what we have lived through. And only after we learn to love ourselves, can we truly love others.

I am very proud of the work we did back in Buffalo and very proud of the work that the post team has done since. From beginning to end this was a truly collaborative process. In looking at the finished product, I see the fingerprints of cast and crew who made this film what it is today. It took the efforts and talents of many to bring this story from the page to the screen. I am grateful to have been the hand that guided that process.

- Aprill Winney