ALL FILMS MUST BE AN L.A. PREMIERE*
Films must not have had an IN PERSON/PUBLIC premiere and/or not been previously streamed via an LA based festival.

We are excited to announce the call for entries for the DCW Festival to be presented in January 2023. Join us next winter in Los Angeles, as we bring new vision and new incentives to Dance Camera West.

DCW is curated by DCW’s new Artist/Executive Director and a diverse screening committee of members of LA's performance and filmmaking community.

Since 2000, Dance Camera West has connected diverse cultures and environments through its exploration of dance on screen, bringing hundreds of challenging and provocative films to Los Angeles from around the globe, effectively bridging the gap between the uniquely influential Los Angeles film community and the significant local dance populace.

Dance Camera West has been fortunate to partner with some of the most prominent venues and organizations throughout the Los Angeles area. Co-presenters have included the Getty Center, REDCAT at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Directors Guild of America, the Hammer Museum, The Broad Stage, Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz, and many others.

Dance Camera West showcases many forms of dance, including contemporary, modern, post modern, world, tap, dance theater, ballet, hip-hop and practically all dance that has been captured on film in a way that is of quality and essential value.

Dance Camera West has showcased the talents of internationally recognized artists like Merce Cunningham, William Forsythe, Paris Opera Ballet, Pilobolus, Marie Chounard, Akram Kahn, Jiri Kylian and Netherlands Dance Theatre, Lloyd Newson/DV8, Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker with Thierry de Mey, Wim Vandekeybus with UltimaVez, Meg Stuart with Pierre Coulibeuf, Edouard Lock/La La La Human Steps, Bill T. Jones with Paula Kaiser, as well as featuring local artists like Victoria Marks, Oguri, Mitchell Rose, and Daniel Ezralow.

The genre of Screen Dance or Dance for Camera has expanded the possibilities of composition and structure by literally pushing the boundaries of dance - motion, rhythm, form and gravity - beyond what is presentable on stage.

As part of a plan to serve the evolution of dance film, DCW2020 will pay screening fees to selected filmmakers, and work toward the larger goal of implementing annual awards and commissioning and creating opportunities to make new dance film work. DCW will also award online US streaming contracts to selected filmmakers.

ALL FILMS MUST BE AN L.A. PREMIERE*
*Films must not have had an IN PERSON/PUBLIC premiere in any Los Angeles based film festival.

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 (i.e MUSIC) included within the submitted Project. Dance Camera West expressly disavows any responsibility for, and will not be held responsible for, any unauthorized inclusion of any copyrighted content or materials within or relating to the submitted Project, including any content or materials that are or may become the basis for any third party claims for copyright infringement. Dance Camera West reserves the right to disqualify, without refund of any or all submission fees previously collected from the Applicant, any Project with any unauthorized inclusion of copyrighted content or materials. In the event that any claim, dispute, action or proceeding shall be brought or asserted by any person or entity that alleges that the Project makes unauthorized or unlawful use of any copyrighted content or material, Applicant shall fully indemnify and defend Dance Camera West, the Festival, and each of their representatives and affiliates from any liability in connection therewith and from any fees and expenses, including but not limited to attorneys’ fees, that any of them may incur in connection therewith.

When submitting to Dance Camera West, the Applicant agrees that, if selected and the invitation accepted, to screen the submitted film during the dates of the festival Dance Camera West. Negotiated agreements preceding the submission of the film to Dance Camera West are exempt.

By submitting, the entrant acknowledges that the filmmaker has NOT submitted/planned for this film to be publicly screened/presented in the Los Angeles region prior to the screening at Dance Camera West.

All online screeners of accepted films are to be removed or password added. Please contact festival@dancecamerawest.org if you have any questions or concerns regarding this matter.

PRESS MATERIALS
Press materials to include high-resolution production stills, trailers, key art, director bio, and other production must be included at time of submission to be considered by screening committee.

REPRODUCTION AGREEMENT
Submission of an entry gives Dance on Camera Festival and its presenters permission to have excerpts of accepted work, including film trailers, shown in all promotional activities related to the festival.

ARCHIVE AGREEMENT
Entrant and filmmaker acknowledge that by submitting their film to the festival, that if chosen for the festival, Dance Camera West may include the film in the Dance Camera West Archive.

PRESENTATION FORMAT
The following exhibition formats are eligible for Festival screening: BLU RAY, PRORES 422 digital files for short films.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Kari Hoaas

    Excellent festival. Great communication and hospitality. Excellent opportunity for networking with many festival events. I was so happy and grateful to attend and have my film shown here Thank you.

    April 2023
  • Dance Camera West is not only a professional opportunity but it is a home for artists. The organization is true to its mission!

    February 2023
  • Mistaya Hemingway

    It was an honour to attend the festival and to participate with At Lake. I came away inspired and motivated. Thanks very much!

    February 2023
  • Justine Doswell

    Huge thanks to Dance Camera West, Kelly Hargraves and all the team, returned home full of inspiration. Highly, highly, highly recommend! Thank you DCW.

    February 2023
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    Response from festival:

    we're so happy that you made the trip across the pond to be with us! Looking forward to seeing more of your films!

  • Caitlin Hammel

    Attending this festival was an absolutely transformative experience for me. I'm still reeling that our film was shown among so many exquisite films (every one of which I saw.) And the conversations with other dance film makers was so inspiring. I loved every minute of it.

    January 2023