The Berlin Dance Film Festival brings a curated collection of international Dance films to Berlin audiences and is now accepting submissions for its 2025 edition!

BDFF invites filmmakers from all artistic backgrounds within the dance film genre to submit their short, shortish, and long form dance films, whether your interest lies in narrative, documentary, animation, or experimental styles. We welcome submissions from around the world that creatively explore and redefine the dynamic between dance and film. We are particularly interested in representing a broad range of perspectives exemplified by the performance community in Berlin and beyond.

During the curation process we consider the interplay between the choreography and the camera, the cultural context of the film, as well as its contemporary relevence. Although we welcome a range of styles, including animation, experimental, and both narrative and non-narrative films, we are not looking for straightforward recordings of stage performances or dance documentation. If you have any questions about your submission, please feel free to contact us.

⚠️ Please ensure that all components of your film, such as music and images, are either owned by you or properly cleared for use. BDFF cannot be responsible for obtaining copyright permissions.

Our audiences vote on their favorite films each year. In 2025 we will be giving out a minimum of 2 Audience awards. More awards and prizes are TBD soon!

🎥 Short // 0 – 5 minutes
🎥 Shortish // 5:01 – 15 minutes
🎥 Long // 15:01+
🎥 Berlin Artist // All lengths welcome – Submit to the Berlin Artist category only. BDFF will categorize your film into Short, Shortish, or Long during judging.

ALL Films:

- The choreography must be created specifically for film; live stage performances will not be accepted.
- Please Include English subtitles if the film does not feature English dialogue.
- All films must be completed by the time of submission.
- By submitting, you grant BDFF the right to screen the film during the festival. BDFF will not upload the film to the internet without the filmmaker’s consent.

⚠️ The applicant confirms they have secured all necessary rights and permissions for the film’s presentation at Berlin Dance Film Festival. This includes ownership or clearance of all music and images. BDFF is not responsible for clearing copyrighted materials.

Submission grants BDFF and its partners permission to use excerpts of accepted films, including press materials and trailers, for promotional activities related to the festival.