2024 & 2025 COOLEST FILM FESTIVALS by Moviemaker Magazine
TOP 10 NORTH AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL by USA Today
TOP 10 BEST REVIEWED FILM FESTIVALS on FilmFreeway consistently

DANCES WITH FILMS is an established national (bi-coastal) film festival. The 29th Annual DANCES WITH FILMS LA (DWF:LA) will launch June 2026 at the famed Chinese Theatres in the heart of Hollywood.

A true original on the festival circuit—and arguably the largest indie film festival in Los Angeles—DWF has been hailed by IndieWire as “widely recognized as the premiere showcase of innovative independent cinema, presenting amazing undiscovered talent to an industry audience in Hollywood,” called “the future of independent film” by HuffPost, and praised by CNN as “an innovator and leader in positioning raw and new talented directors.” Named one of MovieMaker Magazine’s Top 25 Coolest Film Festivals on the Planet, Dances With Films presents more than 250 films annually to the Los Angeles filmmaking and film-going community.

Mission:
DWF is dedicated to giving opportunities to creative talents who may not be considered 'Names' and distinguishes itself not only through the community it has built, but by the success of our alumni and long-standing loyalty within the DWF family.

Industry Success!
The 2025 OSCARs featured standout 2023 DWF alum Alex Coco, producer of Anora which won Best Picture; DWF ICA Award winning short film Red, White & Blue also received an OSCAR nomination in 2024.

Other notable alumni achievements include:

Alexander Skarsgård (2006 alum), Emmy winner for Best Supporting Actor
Joel Watson (2007 & 2012 alum), Emmy nominated for editing Shark Tank
Gina Rodriguez (2011 & 2012 alum), lead actress Not Dead Yet, Jane the Virgin
Steven Kane (2000 alum), creator of the hit series The Last Ship
Will Scheffer & Mark Olsen (2004 alums), creators of HBO’s critically acclaimed Getting On and Big Love after screening their feature Easter at DWF
Treading Yesterday, which premiered in our TV/Web division in 2016 and is now in series development
Jeremy Cloe (2015 alum & ICA award winner), Student Academy Award® winner
Jesse Eisenberg (2008 alum), nominated for Best Actor for The Social Network
Betsy Brandt (Breaking Bad, Parenthood) appeared early in her career in our 2005 Grand Jury Winner Shelf Life
Bryan Cranston premiered his directorial debut with DWF in 2000
…and COUNTLESS theatrical releases & distribution deals for our feature films,

These examples represent only a fraction of the accomplishments within the DWF alumni community.

What Industry Leaders Say:
"Dances with Film is an incredible film festival filled with a ton of hot, new talent. It's what Sundance should be and SXSW is – but it’s in our own backyard! They put on top notch industry panels and events which sync sponsors together with the filmmakers as well as other VIPs. Their events are well attended and are extremely well organized. It's a great platform for a sponsor to promote their own projects and enhance their profile in the Hollywood and Indie film community while picking up material and making new connections."

- Chris Charalambous, Head of Acquisitions, Freestyle Media

"Dances with Film is a great film festival. They treat their supporters and sponsors incredibly well, put on fantastic industry events and is an enormous wealth of new talent. Gersh has signed 3 new clients since becoming involved with DWF. We couldn't recommend it more highly."

- Frank Wuliger, Partner The Gersh Agency

Panels:
As you can see, DWF provides great exposure and access to the industry decision-makers. Past year's panels and 'Conversations With' series have featured producer Stephanie Allain (Dear White People, Hustle & Flow); casting director David Rubin (Trumbo, Gravity); Women in Film Board President Syrinthia Studier; Head of Film Finance & Packaging Jay Cohen (Gersh Agency) EVP of Theatrical Distribution Steven Friedlander (CBS Films), VP of Worldwide Creative Services Michelle Willey (Paramount Pictures)... just to name a few. Every year brings out high-caliber industry stars you will rarely find at other fests.

Dances With Pilots!
Now in its 10th year, Dances With Pilots! returns with a curated slate of TV and webisode projects as part of our festival sidebar, alongside narrative features, documentaries, shorts, and music videos.

Dances With Kidz!
Entering its 12th year, Dances With Kidz! celebrates films created for kids—and, most importantly, by kids. This program features both a youth section (18 and under) and a professional section.

Academy®️ Qualification:
DWF also qualifies a slate of shorts for Academy Award®️consideration through our friends at Laemmle Theatres and Double Exposure in Los Angeles. Short films premiering with us actually have a higher likelihood of being Academy®️qualified than nearly any other short film competition in the country.

The DWF Family:
Finally, the Dances With Films community has grown since 1998 into a strong and loyal network. DWF offers filmmakers opportunities to build meaningful connections and lasting creative partnerships (and friendships) that endure over the years.

For more information on all the above statements, head over to www.danceswithfilms.com

Awards & Prizes

The awards vary depending on the category, however our prize packages in the past have included:

Industry Choice:

Every film in the festival is eligible for the 'Industry Choice Award (ICA)'. The winning film will have been viewed by and chosen and receive meetings with Industry Heavy-hitters, such as Producer Mark Ordesky (Lord of the Rings); Steve Wegner (The Blind Side, Dolphin Tale); EVP of Acquisitions and Co-Productions, CBS Films, Scott Shooman (American Assassin, Hell or High Water) and the priceless prize of a meeting with one of the judges.

Best of Fest Award:

Although our awards package is currently being developed for the season, in the past we have presented winners with: Distribution Deal with Gravitas Ventures * Canon 5D SLR Camera * Movie Magic Budgeting & Scheduling * Final Draft Software * Showbiz Software Producer Packages * FilmTracker from Studio System * Panavision Production Package

Audience Choice Award:
Although our awards package is in being developed for the season, in the past we have presented winners with: Movie Magic Budgeting & Scheduling * Final Draft Software * Showbiz Software Producer Packages * FilmTracker from Studio System

Rules & Terms

GENERAL RULES
Feature films (narrative & documentary) should be over 40 minutes with a maximum of 200 minutes. Short films (narrative & documentary) should be under 40 minutes with a minimum of 1 minute. Films must have been completed after January 1st, 2025.

Filmmakers understand that their entry cannot have any known individuals within their given project.** No known directors, actors, producers, writers, or monies from known sources (i.e. Imagine or Scott Free Productions). We do not discriminate against 'working' actors & crew. **IMPORTANT NOTE -- DWF will present DWF: UNLEASHED! - a new division (since 2020) that will include name talent. This isa non-competitive division as the competition sections will always remain true to the original DWF design.

Films cannot be tied to a domestic distribution deal.

Once selected, the filmmaker must make available a DCP* (referred to as a "print"). DWF does not screen discs (Blu-ray/DVD) due to quality concerns. Failure to produce such print one-week prior to the screening date will result in a liability to DWF in the amount of $500. *Please note that DWF regularly finds amazing deals on DCPs through sponsors each year.

At least one representative (producer or director) of each competitive project are required to be part of a Q&A session immediately following their screening(s).

Participants agree that clips from their film and all other material related to their project may be used and/or published in the event program, DWF website and for any promotional purposes which DWF deems appropriate.

No screeners and/or promotional materials will be returned to the filmmaker, unless arranged in advance with the festival office.

If selected, all commercial/private property including all trademark/copyrighted materials shown or recorded on the project is the responsibility of the filmmaker. DWF will NOT take responsibility for any infringement of copyright materials.

The cost of delivery and pick-up of all materials is the responsibility of the filmmakers.

DWF holds no responsibility for lost or damaged prints. While the utmost care will be taken with regard to prints, it is solely up to the filmmaker to take full responsibility (i.e. insurance).

Rules are subject to change at any time with or without prior notice.

385 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Clayton Smith

    DWF is a fantastic festival, with excellent curation and exceptional people. Strong recommend.

    June 2026
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  • Oriana Ng

    This festival truly keeps the indie heart of film beating. They offer their filmmakers so many wonderful resources and exposure. I left feeling reinvigorated to make my next project. Thank you Lindsey, Leslee, Lauren & the entire DWF team.

    March 2026
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  • Michael Jasper

    This is, by far, the best festival I've been to. Very organized, great communication, and great venue. The media coverage and networking were excellent as well.

    March 2026
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  • Elijah Guo

    Dances With Films is a gem! They know how to walk the talk- getting real industry players to meet and support indie artists, while also building a crucial community amongst fellow filmmakers. Leslee, Lindsey, Michael and everyone were so supportive, personable and welcoming to us, and provided so much mentorship and guidance on the nuts and bolts of filmmaking that I really value, especially in an industry that can feel like the Wild West. We were so grateful to have our short film not only screened but also taken care of as part of a such an inclusive and enthusiastic community!

    March 2026
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  • Rigarrao Productions

    If we could give more stars, we would. The theater location was amazing. The opening mixer was packed & gave us the opportunity to meet the other filmmakers as the festival officially began.

    The staff were always available for questions & were a pleasure to talk with. There were many sold out screening blocks, including our own. The audience, including the other screenings we attended, all had warm receptions.

    This was our first project to have an East Coast world premiere, and couldn't have asked for a better film festival experience than Dances With Films New York!

    February 2026
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