Dance Digital is a dance film festival by Sadler's Wells.

As one of the world’s leading dance organisations we're dedicated to dance in all its forms. This new dance film festival is our place to celebrate dance on screen and dance filmmaking talents from around the world.

The event will take place in London in the Lilian Baylis Studio at Sadler’s Wells from 5 - 7 June 2026.

Filmmakers are invited to submit films to screen at the festival, be considered for an award and be selected for a curated limited time release on our Digital Stage platform.

We want to champion the very best in dance of all styles and tell impactful stories about the power of dance.

The event will include screenings, networking sessions, mentoring with industry experts, VR/XR installations, talks and more.

We can't wait to see you there.

Awards & Prizes

Filmmakers will have a chance to receive the following awards:

- Best dance on screen film
- Best documentary / behind-the-scenes film
- Best film by young artists (21 and under)
- Best social first film
- Best cinematography
- Best dance (choreography, performance).

Rules & Terms

- Max. running time for short films: 25 minutes
- Max. running time for feature films: 90 minutes
- Applicants must have all necessary rights and releases for all creative IP, people featured, audio and visual media presented in the film for both screening at the festival and for online screening.
- By submitting your film you grant Dance Digital & Sadler's Wells the rights to programme your film for the festival and to use images/excerpts of the film in trailers, programmes and online information about the event.
- By submitting your film you grant Dance Digital & Sadler's Wells the rights to screen your film on the Digital Stage for a limited time release during our 2026/2027 programme.
- If selected, you agree to abide by deadlines for submitting other required programme materials (including pictures, biographies, description of the film, etc.).
- If selected, you agree that short extracts of the film (up to 1 minute) can be used across our social media and marketing platforms to promote your film work and to promote the festival event.
- Artists can apply either individually, or as a group or company but the total fee will remain the same for each film, regardless of the number of individuals involved.
- This film festival is open to dance artists of all styles, aged 18+.
- The ‘films by young people’ category is open to those aged 16 – 21.
- We welcome applications from international projects as well as those based in the UK.
- The deadline for applications is midnight, Sunday 22 February 2026.
- Artists will then be shortlisted, and all artists will be contacted by Monday 30 March 2026. We will be announcing the full programme in Spring 2026.
- The final films will premiere at Dance Digital from Friday 5 to Sunday 7 June 2026 and a curated selection with then will be presented on Sadler’s Wells Digital Stage online platform for limited time release following the event.
- Films which do not feature dance, choreography or movement are not eligible and will not be considered for the festival.
2 Reviews
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  • Saraï Martens

    We were truly honoured to be selected for Dance Digital Film Festival 2026. Winning the 'young creators' award with our movie 'Return' was the cherry on top. Truly an amazing festival, thanks to everyone that made it possible. Highly recommend, can't wait to see what else they will have in store! With love

    June 2026
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  • Nicole Spring

    Incredible! The weekend was packed, and the events and screenings were amazing! Honored to have my film "Motherhood" included in the first inaugural dance film festival!

    June 2026
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