We intend to create a “meeting point” to open up space for negotiation on screendance; how can the convergence of screen, composition, dance, and sound intersect with its subject matter, such as political commentary, social advocacy, and environmental preservation.

We invite artists to submit intentional screendance films. We welcome a wide range of films, from abstract to narrative and linear to non-linear, that engage with dance, movement, and the body.

Style, technique, and budget are not determining factors. We’re especially drawn to works with strong visual imagery that cultivate empathy, experiment with form, and spark curiosity, play, or joy.

We strongly encourage submissions from underrepresented makers worldwide, and are excited to share work as part of an international festival community.

About Frame Rush 2026

Frame Rush is an annual festival of screendance works programmed by the MA students at London Contemporary Dance School. The event will be a live sharing of the works in central London on
Thursday 17 September 2026
at The Place

Frame Rush 2026 is a celebration of global diversity in movement on film.

Frame Rush 2026 Team:
Mahan Abtahi (she/her)
Kat Bark (she/they)
Ka Chun Hui, Kenneth (he/him)
Sonja Petermann (she/her)
Ruiyang Xie (she/her)
Gengyao Li (he/him)
We are happy to correspond in Chinese, Spanish, Persian and English.

Important Information
Selected artists will receive a fee for screening their work.

If you need to submit your application in an alternative format or have any access questions, please get in touch with us via email: frame.rush@lcds.ac.uk

If artists are experiencing financial hardship, please reach out to us for a fee waiver.
Please send us an email to frame.rush@lcds.ac.uk with this information ONLY:
Subject line: ‘Fee waiver’
Body text: Name, title of film

Banner image credit: In The Same Boat by Mervi Junkkonen and Mia Malviniemi

Rules & Terms

- Recordings of dance performances unless used as a cinematic narrative device will not be considered for screening.
- Films must be between 1-15 minutes. (Including titles and credits)
- Film production date must be after January 2023
- The artist, if selected, agrees to provide festival organisers with marketing materials, information and video files in the requested formats by given deadlines; the artist understands they are liable for any costs incurred and that failure to provide the necessary materials may result in their withdrawal from the programme.
- If your film has dialogue, subtitles in English should be available in time for the preparation of the screening file. We encourage you to think about the accessibility of your film in regards to viewers with visual or auditory impairments, and what materials you could provide; i.e. closed captioning.
- Submission of an entry gives Frame Rush and its presenters permission to use excerpts of accepted work, including film trailers, in all promotional activities related to the festival.
- You may resubmit films that have not been screened at Frame Rush previously. The artistic leadership of the festival changes every year, and with it the selection panel and criteria.
- You acknowledge that by submitting your film to the festival, if selected, Frame Rush may include the film in the London Contemporary Dance School archive.
-The artist takes full responsibility for the work and in submitting it asserts that it contains no copyright infringements, and indemnifies Frame Rush, The Place, LCDS and its representatives against any request or legal action from third parties related to or arising from the use of the film.
- Entrants under 18 must have a parent or legal guardian provide written consent agreeing to all festival rules and terms

**Practical requirements as part of the submission form:**
• Filmmaker contact information: name, email address, postal address, phone number, website and social media accounts (if any)
• Subtitles in English should be available in time for the preparation of the screening file.
• Synopsis of the film (up to 200 characters).
• Biographies of the artist / artists (up to 400 characters each).
• Any previous screenings / awards of the presented work.
• High resolution film stills / images (preferably a mixture of landscape and portrait format).
• Film file for screening should be delivered in QuickTime.
For regular submissions: full HD 16x9 H.264 or full HD 16x9 Apple ProRes 4:2:2 HQ.
For vertical submissions: full HD 9x16 H.264 or full HD 9x16 Apple ProRes 4:2:2 HQ.
25 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Nicole Spring

    Great experience and communication! I wish I were in attendance, but it looked like it was amazing! Highly recommend this film festival.

    October 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Dear Nicole, thank you for sharing your tender and beautiful work with us and our audiences.

  • Sara Jordan

    Frame Rush is an inspiring and beautifully curated platform for dance on screen. What stands out is not only the diversity of films presented, but also the care and thought put into creating a space where artists and audiences can meet through movement, film, and dialogue.
    The festival strikes a rare balance between showcasing emerging voices and established creators, offering fresh perspectives while honoring depth and craft.

    The organization and communication are excellent, and the team behind Frame Rush clearly has a genuine passion for supporting artists and pushing the boundaries of dance film. It’s a festival that leaves you feeling connected, uplifted, and part of an international creative community.

    I can only recommend Frame Rush highly to both artists and audiences who are curious about the intersection of dance and film.

    September 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Dear Sara, thank you for your kind and thoughtful words. We are so pleased the festival felt like a good home for your work. We were thrilled to screen The Joy and Sorrow of Time.

  • Zodiak Visions

    Very well curated selection of contemporary movement films and a wonderful opportunity to go deeper into the works and dance film genre with dedicated Q&A sessions.
    Very happy to have our film Kielo screen in Frame Rush and we hope to be back again for future editions.

    September 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for being part of the event! It was wonderful to work with you and share this powerful and beautiful piece.

  • Mervi Junkkonen

    Great festival! Good communication, well marketed and they also offer a screening fee. I hope to be there next time to meet the audience.

    September 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Dear Mervi, thank you for your kind words. It was fantastic to share your wonderful film - good luck with this and future projects!

  • Gisela Chicolino

    A festival on this topic is truly necessary. Please keep working on generating this exquisite content for the audience.

    September 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Dear Gisela, thank you for sharing your work with us, we were delighted to showcase these strong and unflinching stories.