Recognizing the need for more digital dance exposure, Dallas Dance Film Festival (DDFF) was created in 2018 to promote and support local and international emerging and professional dance filmmakers to provide an affordable platform for them to share their work. The festival also offers the community at large a new way to observe and experience dance. The festival showcases a wealth of talent, artistry, and innovation in films from around the world. Audience members participate in the selection process for the “Best of the Fest” and "DDFF Creative" dance filmmaker.

AWARDS + CERTIFICATES

"Best of Fest"
$500 Cash Prize
Winner serves on the following year's selection committee if is not a contestant

"DDFF Creative"
$250 Cash Prize

SUBMISSIONS
Submissions will be evaluated based on demonstrated use of the camera and/or mobile devices that highlight dance differently from live performance, such that the dance cannot be viewed in the same way outside of the film. Selected works will also demonstrate inventiveness and originality, cohesiveness and clarity of artistic intention, quality of choreography, performance, cinematography, and editing in relationship to the stated artistic intent. Artists are responsible for holding copyright permission for any elements used in the film that require permission such as music, text, images.

It is the sole responsibility of the Applicant to secure authorization and permission from the copyright owner(s) of any and all copyrighted content or materials included within the submitted Project. The following resource may be of assistance for information on music copyright: https://opensourcemusic.com/

PRESS MATERIALS
Press materials to include high-resolution production stills, trailers, director bio, and other production materials should be sent to be considered by the screening committee.

REQUIREMENTS
Length: 5 - 10 minutes max
Must incorporate Dance
Must pay fee per submission
2 submissions per artist

*Excerpts of films submitted may be used for marketing purposes unless specifically requested to not use.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Peter Litwinowicz

    Fun festival with great communication. So honored to have "Love Unfolding" selected to be a part!

    February 2026
  • hank you for including my film Carrying Wood. It was a great festival with excellent organization and communication! I wish I could have been there.

    March 2025
  • Would be lovely to receive feedback from screenings for those who are international, but so glad Beyond the Plaques was involved this year!

    November 2024
  • Richard James Allen

    So delighted to be back at the Dallas Dance Film Festival in 2023 with 'Impossible Image' after winning an innovation award there in 2018 with 'Digital Afterlives'! Karen Pearlman and I and our collaborators thank you for sharing the work of The Physical TV Company with your community.

    November 2023
  • The Dallas Dance film festival ran incredibly smooth. The films were exceptional. The staff of the festival and the Dance Council of North Texas were a joy. Their hospitality was very warm and inviting. I highly recommend the festival for any dance filmmaker.

    November 2019