A TOP 10 NORTH AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL by USA Today - and the only one in Los Angeles.

DANCES WITH FILMS is a now an established national (bi-coastal) film festival. Our 27th year in Los Angeles, DANCES WITH FILMS (DWF:LA) will unspool this June 2024 at the famed TCL Chinese Theatres. DANCES WITH FILMS (DWF:NY) will launch this December at the incredible Regal Union Square in Manhattan.

DWF is an original on the festival circuit (and the largest indie film festival in Los Angeles), hailed by Indiewire as "widely recognized as the premiere showcase of innovative independent cinema, presenting amazing undiscovered talent to an industry audience in Hollywood," "the future of Independent Film," by Huffington Post and as "An innovator and leader in positioning raw and new talented directors," by CNN and voted one of Moviemaker Magazine's Top 25 Coolest Film Festivals on the planet (and the only one in Los Angeles to make the list in the only year it was actually voted on by filmmakers across the globe), Dances With Films presents more than 250 films each year to the LA Filmmaking and Film-going community.

Mission:
Dedicated to giving opportunities to creative talents who may not be considered 'Names', DWF stands out from the crowd with not only the community we've built, but by the success of our alumni and the shared loyalty of DWF relationships.

Success!
This year's EMMY AWARDS, had a sparkling amount of DWF alums, from presenting to sitting in the audience, including 2011 & 2012 alum, Gina Rodriguez presenting on stage to 2006 alum Alexander Skarsgard winning Best Supporting Actor to 2007 & 2012 alum Joel Watson, nominated for editing SHARK TANK. DWF has had many filmmakers go on to create series, such as the highly rated THE LAST SHIP, created by 2000 alum, Steven Kane. HBO’s critically acclaimed and hit series ‘Getting On” and “Big Love” were created by DWF Alums Will Scheffer and Mark Olsen after screening their feature film "Easter" at DWF 2004. Our TV/Web division, premiered TREADING YESTERDAY in 2016, which in now in development for a series. Jeremy Cloe, 2015 alum & ICA winner, recently won a student ACADEMY AWARD.

2008 actor alum Jesse Eisenberg was nominated for Best Actor in "The Social Network" for the 2011 Academy Awards. 2010 Audience Award winner "Go For It!" received a nationwide theatrical release through Lionsgate in 2011. Betsy Brandt "Breaking Bad'' & “Parenthood” was seen early on in her career in the Grand Jury Winner of 2005, "Shelf Life." And her co-star in “Breaking Bad” Bryan Cranston premiered his directorial debut with us in 2000! 2010 feature "Cost of a Soul" was seen nationwide at AMC Theatres in conjuction with Relativity Media's Rogue. - Just a few examples of our alumni accomplishments.

Some quotes:

"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 to the decision makers of the film industry. In fact past year's panels and 'conversations with' series rocked it with Producer, Stephanie Allain (DEAR WHITE PEOPLE, HUSTLE AND FLOW); Casting Director, David Rubin (TRUMBO, GRAVITY); EVP, Worldwide Distribution, Paramount Pictures, Syrinthia Studier; Packaging Agent, Gersh Agency, Gergen Crochet; SVP, Acquisitions and Co-Productions, Miramax, Rosanne Kortenberg; EVP, Theatrical Distribution, CBS Films, Steven Friedlander... just to name a few. Every year brings out industry stars, the caliber of which - you will rarely find at other fests.

Dances With Pilots!
In addition to narrative and documentary features and shorts (not to mention music videos!), DWF is thrilled to bring back the 4th installment of Dances With Pilots! as we present TV and Webisodes as a sidebar to the big fest.

Dances With Kidz!
We are pleased to present year 6 of Dances With Kidz! This program consists of films created for kids and most importantly... created BY kids. There is a pro section along with the kids section (18 and below).

2 Minute Short Film Challenge
And on the creative side, DWF also produces up to ten short films during the week of the festival. The 2 Minute Short Film Challenge has become an exciting favorite program at the festival. Utilizing the latest digital technology and pure filmmaking ingenuity, submitted scripts are shot, edited and screened in front of evening competition films during the festival.

Academy® Qualification:
We also qualify a slate of shorts for Academy Award® consideration through our friends at Laemmle Theatres and Double Exposure in Los Angeles. Short films that premiere with us actually have a higher possibility of being Academy® qualified than most any other short film competition in the country.

The Family:
Finally, the community of Dances With Films that has evolved since 1998 is a strong and loyal one. DWF offers the opportunity for filmmakers to strengthen and expand connections that will endure for years to come.

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

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

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, 2022.

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.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Aaron Murtagh

    Our short film Man Baby had World Premiere screening at DWF:NY. It was amazing to see the film in a packed theater. And we met so many filmmakers - and saw great work! Thank you for including us!!

    February 2024
  • Ben Whalen

    Dances With Films is by far one of my favorite festivals. They go above and beyond for filmmakers. They do such a fantastic job at creating a community and opportunities for filmmakers and industry professionals to meet, connect and network. They create media opportunities for filmmakers, they provide education through an amazing set of panels and they promote the festival very well. Their communication is so on point and I felt very taken care of. Their entire team is very helpful, kind and a lot of fun to be around. An alumni filmmaker told me the experience at DWF will spoil me, and it's true, not every festival goes to the lengths that DWF does for it's participants. I really can't say enough how lucky I felt to be a part of this festival. I 100% recommend Dances With Films (NY and LA) to all filmmakers. I will definitely be coming back with my next film.

    February 2024
  • Daniele Sestito

    Thank you Dances With Films for having me and my pilot "Off The Menu" at their NYC edition in December! There's so much to acknowledge and praise that I've gotta break it down.

    SIZE & LOCATION: This is really the goldilocks of NYC festivals. The bigger ones are sprawling and difficult to engage with, while smaller ones don't have audiences and quality yet. DWF had the audiences, the quality, and lots to engage with, but it always felt tight-knit. The fest was contained into one chunk of Union Square, all within a 10min walking radius, and all the screenings were in one, modern theater. It was a comfortable arrangement, and Union Square is a great district.

    TEAM: DWF's excellence really boil down to their team.

    First off, they understand that, like in filmmaking, pre-production is everything! Upon acceptance, we all received a thorough "filmmaker's manual" highlighted everything we needed to know, and it made the festival's ethos very clear. Throughout the month before the fest, they consistently sent out detailed update emails, and there were a few zoom presentations to help us optimize the opportunity. The team was also very accessible via email.

    During the festival, the team was absolutely on top of everything, and those I had the pleasure to meet were very genuine and hospitable. Co-founder Leslie programmed and ran the Q&A for my pilots block. She was very enthusiastic and caring. There was actually one screening that had a short pause in the middle due to a tech issue, and Leslie and programmer Lindsey got up front and kept the crowd engaged by doing a little Q&A.

    In short, this team is spectacular!

    NETWORKING: We were connected with other filmmakers before the festival — category group emails, chatting on zoom presentations, encouraging us to join DWF alumni groups, and more. The festival basically kicked off with a mixer, then there were daily "happy hour" mixers at a chill bar, as well as numerous independent post-screening after parties to attend. All this gave me the opportunity to connect with dozens of talented folks. By the time the awards breakfast came around and we took our huge picture together, it felt like we were one big DWF family!

    PROGRAMMING & PRIZES: The films they curated were so fun, meaningful, and engaging, while being unpretentious and unabashedly indie. DWF had loads of beautifully-shot films, but many also had an indie or DIY spirit that were exceptional and inventive where it truly mattered. While other fests in DWF's class would prioritize a very polished aesthetic over inventiveness, truthfulness, and effectiveness, it was clear to me that DWF's programming had a compelling focus that went beneath the surface.

    Additionally, I agree with their philosophy behind limiting prizes to audience awards and a few others, and the audience voting was handled more carefully than other fests.

    NEEDLESS TO SAY, I loved being a part of this fest (and I'm bummed that I had to miss 2 chunks of the festival due to work — would've loved to have seen more and connected more!). I hope to screen my work at future editions, and outside of that, I will certainly be an attendee! Thank you again!

    January 2024
  • Stephanie Bell

    Our short film, SANE MEN, was honored to be a part of DWF:NY. Here's our review in the words of our Director/co-writer, Jess Fritz:

    I cannot overstate how great our experience was with DWF:NY. The Team running the festival was so warm and engaged, and that really set a great example which followed through with the festival attendees supporting fellow filmmakers and cheering each other on. The screening venue was fantastic, with great care taken to make every screening a success, including great audience attendance. The panels and events were also high quality, blending fun and education. I highly recommend this festival, and would love to take part again in the future.

    January 2024
  • Patrick Michael

    DWF: NY was tremendous. They have great leadership who take very good care of their filmmakers. Highly recommend.

    January 2024