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 film festival such as LA Dance Film Festival or Dare To Dance.

We are excited to announce the call for entries for the DCW Festival to be presented in January 2025. 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 Artist/Executive Director, co Artistic Director Cati Jean and a diverse screening committee of 100 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.

DCW pays screening fees to selected filmmakers, and works toward the larger goal of implementing annual awards, commissioning and opportunities to make new dance film work. DCW will also award online US streaming and touring contracts to selected filmmakers.

ALL FILMS MUST BE AN L.A. PREMIERE*
*Films must NOT have had an IN PERSON/PUBLIC screening in any Los Angeles County 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 which is housed on OVID.tv streaming service.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Pia Andell

    Oh, I so enjoyed being part of the Dance Camera West festival. Not just the festival, which was well organized and had great screenings but the overall friendly atmosphere and L.A.setting. I wish to be back one day!

    March 2024
  • Isaiah Kim

    What an amazing event hosted by the amazing Kelly Hargraves! It was truly a pleasure and honor to have attended this festival, and I am truly thankful as an artist that such artistically rich and inspiring events like DCW are present and active in the city of Los Angeles! I can't wait for the next event!

    March 2024
  • Jordyn Cormier

    I had such a blast at DCW—outstanding screenings, friendly and welcoming atmosphere. It was truly such an honor for me to be included. Big thanks to Kelly and the team for hosting such a creatively enriching event.

    March 2024
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    Response from festival:

    thanks for coming. we loved having you here! you brought sunlight to the event! see you again!

  • Rodrigo Pépe

    I really enjoyed participating in "Dance Camera West". The festival team is very polite and professional.

    February 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Speaking of communication, look in your mail soon for your Best Short Experimental Film Award!

  • 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