Dance-films are liquid. They flow between the categories of ‘dance’ and ‘film’. The camera reveals new aspects of the body, rhythm and movement to dancers. On the other hand, dance expands the meaning of ‘performance’ in film. The tensions in the hyphenation of the two have resulted in a new language capable of complex articulations.

'Manifest’ is the only annual international dance-film festival in South Asia. Created by AuroApaar-an artist-run, non-profit arts centre in rural South India, this pioneering event aims to catalyse the explosion of the dance-film genre in South Asia and intensify trans-national artistic dialogue.

Structure : 3 day offline event. Screenings will be followed by audience Q&A and interactions with artists. There will be seminars on screen dance and other related topics.

The entries will be curated and viewing restricted to those who have registered for the event.

Where: The main venue so far has been the Alliance Francaise de Pondicherry but next year the main venue will be the newly constructed Dance-Film Centre 'Vision Vivekananda' in the Auroville bio region. Other venues maybe added closer to the festival.

What : Dance-films excluding recordings of performance.

A list of some of the featured Films and Artists from our previous editions:

Tanin Torabi - 'Until' (Grand Prize of the Jury, Cinedans)
Madli Lääne - 'Dear Passengers' (Screendance Competition Winner - Leeds Int'l Film Fest)
Dimitri Sterkens - 'Two To Tango' (Encouragement Award, Cinedans)
Leonardo Martinelli - 'Neon Phantom' (Golden Leopard winner at Locarno 2021)
Holly Wilder - 'Morning'
Jacob Jonas Company - 'Circle'
Samantha Shay - 'Romance' / 'Mother Melancholia'
Fu Le - 'Urban Genesis' - Winner of the 'AUDIENCE CONNECT' award
Bernard Brown and Jingqiu Guan - 'Weight of Sugar'
Andrea Boll - 'Downriver'
Neo Justyne Li - 'Come Rain or Shine'
Douglas Rosenberg - 'Song of Songs'
Nicola Hepp - 'Spellbound' / 'Songs of the Underworld'
Marine Chesnais - 'Living on the Threshold'
Kimmo Leed - 'When the Night Falls'
Martina Faux Marimbo - 'The Invisible Inheritance'
Kati Kalio - 'Walks With Me'
(We are unable to list all the amazing films and filmmakers, and their achievements here)

Awards & Prizes

Manifest seeks to give awards as a sign of recognition to outstanding films in various categories. The number of awards and the categories are not fixed - they depend upon the qualities exhibited in the films. Please note that the awards are a token of appreciation and do not carry any trophy or cash component. A certificate may be provided. Manifest is in no way responsible for the promotion of the films selected or awarded in any social media platform or otherwise. The awarded filmmakers will be notified by email.

Rules & Terms

The festival accepts – Feature Length Dance-Films (40 min and over); Medium Length Dance-Films (between 21 and 40 minutes); Short Length Dance-Films (up to 20 mins); Mobile Phone Dance-Films (up to 20 minutes); Student Dance-Films (up to 20 mins); Indian Dance-Films (any duration)

Please read the Rules and Regulations carefully.

Recordings of dance performances unless used as a cinematic narrative device will not be considered for screening. If you have any doubts about this please write to us at manifest@auroapaar.org

All genres of films/video (including animation, non-fiction, and hybrid forms), as long as they are largely based on the relationship between the body movement and the tools of cinema as a medium for story-telling.

Once selected all submissions have to be made downloadable.

Deadlines:
Earlybird - 24th November 2024
Regular - 21st February 2025
Late - 4th April 2025
Notification by the 30th of June 2025
Festival dates: 1st to 3rd August 2025 with fade-in events scheduled to happen around Auroville

The following discounts are available on submission fees if applicable to the submitter:

Has your film been selected at any other festival?
You can use the 25% CODE - MDFF202625

Has your film won an Award in any festival?
You can use the 50% CODE - MDFF202650

Have you submitted to Manifest in the previous 4 years?
You can use the 25% CODE - MDFF202625

Has your film been selected for Manifest?
You can use the 50% CODE - MDFF202650

Student applicants should apply with proof of current enrolment along with a valid student ID.

Submission fees are non-refundable.

Applicants must have all rights and permissions to present the work. AuroApaar, Manifest and individuals associated with these organisations and this event are not responsible for any copyright infringement in the works submitted.

Submission to the festival does not confirm selection in any of the categories or screening of the film.

The ongoing pandemic might compel shifts in the final date. It is also possible that the festival could be completely online or a hybrid model. Filmmakers of selected films agree to screen their films online for restricted viewership and restricted time on a platform chosen by the festival.

IMPORTANT : Technical Requirements: File Extension: .mov or .mp4; Codec: H.264 or Prores; Resolution: Maximum 2K or 1920×1080 (HD); Note: the Data Rate at time of conversion should ideally be a minimum of 5 mbps and a maximum of 10 mbps. The files should not be excessively large - for example a 20 minute film should ideally be no more than 2gb. If there are any queries regarding technical requirements please write to manifestsubmissions@gmail.com

If the film has speech or text in song or any other form in a language other than English, filmmakers are requested to upload versions with burnt in English subtitles. Please note the subtitles should not be sent as separate files or as caption tracks. The subtitles should be visible as part of the film image upon playing the film copy uploaded or linked to your FilmFreeway account.

Please do not send hard copies of films (DVD or other media) or hard copies of other documents.

The festival does not pay any screening fees.

The festival does not cover travel or other expenses for attending the festival.

The filmmakers of selected films, agree to participate in a live online question and answer session at a date and time mutually discussed and set in advance.

Once selected the films cannot be withdrawn. The festival reserves the right to show a film once it is selected and the submitter is notified.

Submitters authorize the organizers of Auro Apaar And Manifest to store copies of their submissions in their archives, for festival and event screenings for non-commercial purposes and use clips/stills for promotional purposes. The filmmakers will be notified in advance for any potential screenings other than this initial event.

Auro Apaar and Manifest Dance-Film Festival and individuals associated with these organizations are not responsible for any loss or theft resulting in piracy in the process of transfer. Auro Apaar and Manifest Dance-Film Festival affirm that submitted works will not be open to any third party access.

Only For Selected Films: The filmmakers will be required to Email to manifest@auroapaar.org: Photo of Director; Photo of Choreographer; 4 Production Stills; 4 Film Stills; Poster; Director’s Biography/Filmography; Choreographer’s Biography/Filmography. Any additional written or visual material that may aid the understanding of the work or the artistic process is welcome.

By submitting the film the filmmaker/s or their representative/s agree to the Rules and Regulations mentioned above.

21 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Pau Pericas

    Although we were unfortunately unable to attend the festival, we were very excited to share the film at the fest. Greetings from Barcelona! <3

    September 2025
    Helpful
  • Param Tomanec


    It is humbling to learn that our Gotipua dance-film has been shortlisted at the Manifest Dance-Film Festival in the Indian Film category!
    Just received this wonderful message:
    "Dear Filmmaker,
    We are happy to inform you that your film 'Gotipua Krida' has been shortlisted for the Outstanding film on Indian dance at Manifest 2025. We will announce the winner by the end of this week.
    Best Regards,
    Manifest Dance-Film Festival (Programming)

    Feeling grateful for this recognition of traditional Gotipua dance through cinema. Fingers crossed for the final results!

    August 2025
    Helpful
  • Penny Chivas

    Really impressed by the care around the programming, and the mix of films shown.

    Wishing all the best for Manifest as their fantastic festival continues.

    August 2025
    Helpful
  • Dawn Westlake

    I wasn't able to attend in person, but Manifest was outstanding at communications and posting about all the films on their social platforms. It was an honor to have "Pooling" be an opening film!

    August 2025
    Helpful
  • Gobinath Mounissamy

    Wonderful experience! I loved watching some amazing movies, especially the "Two to Tango" by Dimitri Sterkens is one of the best ever that I ve seen with everything in it that I wanted to see in a dance film and the emotions behind it, staging, actions, etc.
    There were some dance short films made with mobiles using different techniques which I was intererested and as myself made one by a normal mobile.
    Above all what I liked most is the dance workshops in different styles by various teachers which was going parallelly during the fim festival for two days. I enjoyed watching the films and also attending the workshops that I liked. Manifest Dance Film Festival is my favorite event regarding film events in Puducherry and will wait for the next year with a powerful film. Thanks to the organisers and volunteers for such an effort to bring joy to others.
    There were some live performances also during the inaugural function and the closing ceremony from wonderful artists. But mostly I felt little lengthy in my view. Most performances could've been shorter. It was an extra effort by the organisers to bring the live performances to stage which I appreciate.
    Overall having seen different genres of dance short films and learning from workshops in two days, I feel my dance film making and my dance will be improved a lot.

    August 2024
    Helpful