Rules & Terms – Charlotte International Dance Film Festival (CIDFF)
Please review the following guidelines before submitting your work to the Charlotte International Dance Film Festival (CIDFF).
âś… ELIGIBILITY
• Submissions must feature dance or movement as a core component of the film’s visual, thematic, or narrative structure.
• We welcome all genres and dance styles: screendance, experimental, narrative, documentary, animation, music videos, and interdisciplinary performance films.
• Films must have been completed on or after January 1, 2022.
• Open to both U.S. and international submissions. Non-English films must include English subtitles.
🎥 SUBMISSION FORMAT
• All submissions must be made via FilmFreeway with an online screener (uploaded file, Vimeo, or YouTube link).
• If selected, films must be provided in a high-resolution format (.MOV or .MP4 preferred) for exhibition.
• Please ensure your submission link remains active and accessible through March 2026.
🎵 Music Rights: All films submitted must contain music that is either original, royalty-free, or properly licensed. Films using copyrighted music without permission will not be considered for selection.
⏱️ RUNTIME & CATEGORIES
• Short films: under 5 minutes
• Mid-length films: 5–20 minutes
• Feature-length films: 20+ minutes
Films longer than 5 minutes are eligible for specific awards.
CIDFF reserves the right to categorize submissions as appropriate.
🎬 PREMIERE STATUS
• Premiere status is not required, but North Carolina or regional premieres are encouraged and may receive priority in scheduling.
🏆 AWARD CATEGORIES
All selected films are eligible for the following juried and audience-voted awards:
• Best Short Film (under 5 minutes)
• Best Cinematic (over 5 minutes)
• Best Cultural Celebration
• Best Dance + Technology (VR, AR, AI integration)
• Best Dance + Identity Film (LGBTQ, Diaspora, Disability, etc.)
• Best Environmental Dance Film
• Best Student Film
• Best Production Design
• Best Cinematography
• Best Editing for Movement
• Best Music Video with Dance Focus
• Best Animated Dance Film
• Best Choreography for the Camera
• Best Storyline / Plot
• Overall Best Film
• Audience Choice Award
• Festival Director’s Choice Award
Award winners will be announced during the festival weekend and recognized across our digital platforms and media outreach.
đź’¸ FEES & REFUNDS
• Submission fees are non-refundable.
• Fee waivers may be available for artists from underrepresented communities or financial hardship upon request. Please email us with your circumstances.
đź“Ś TERMS & CONDITIONS
• By submitting, you authorize CIDFF to exhibit your film during the festival (March 20–22, 2026), and to use short clips, images, or stills for promotional purposes.
• You affirm that you hold the rights or have permission to submit this work and all its associated materials.
• CIDFF is not liable for any unauthorized use of copyrighted materials included in your submission.
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We are honored to consider your work and celebrate the global language of dance on film. Thank you for being part of CIDFF’s inaugural season!
