Now in its seventh year, the Greensboro Dance Film Festival (GDFF)—the first of its kind in Greensboro, North Carolina—celebrates dance films from around the world, showcasing both student and professional work. The festival places a strong emphasis on films that explore themes of race, place, and identity through the lens of dance and cinema. We are especially committed to uplifting the voices of artists of color, both in front of and behind the camera.

Each year, GDFF includes a touring component that evolves with new partnerships and destinations. This year, we are proud to collaborate with Arizona State University and several other institutions and festivals to spotlight selections from our programming. Our tour will also take us to Tuscania, Italy, where we will present films alongside student filmmakers creating work inspired by the local landscape. GDFF continues to deepen its relationships with community stakeholders and is committed to expanding these connections, even amid the challenges of today’s global climate. The festival remains dynamic, consistently reexamining its mission and priorities with both artists and community at heart.

We welcome submissions from artists working in all forms of screen dance. This year’s festival will span two weeks and take place across multiple venues, featuring a live performance and a celebratory kickoff event. Rooted in the heart of Greensboro, the festival brings its programming to life through a partnership with the UNCG School of Dance and the vibrant downtown community

Awards & Prizes

Filmmakers receive festival laurels in specific categories. Additionally, This year the festival will award 2 cash prizes: Jury Prize of $100 in the Professional and Student categories.

Rules & Terms

Projects submitted to GSO Dance Film Festival must be made within three years before the festival for which they are entered. Films must be no longer than 13 minutes in length. By submitting projects to the festival, artists agree that images and footage from their projects may be used for marketing purposes and may be used for future marketing initiatives. GSO Dance Film assumes the submitting artists have attained all music and visual permissions and rights for projects submitted. GDFF is not responsible for achieving permissions or rights for the material. All artists agree to pay the festival submission fees, which are non-refundable.

12 Reviews
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  • Deirdre Molloy

    It was an honor to be selected but the experience is disappointing. The festival website consistently displays 'submission' info, so they can make money but not screeing venues or times. There is no ticket information, no program times for specific films. After I found out the February Greensboro screening times by emailing the festival directo, I promoted this info to my dance community. From them, I learned the February film screening was cancelled allegedly due to a weather event, but the festival didn't notify me. Further screenings were promised in May in the USA and Summer in Tuscany, but no screening times or promotion were ever provided for them either.

    March 2025
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  • Richard James Allen

    Thanks for screening Karen Pearlman's wildly imaginative dance documentary 'Impossible Image', a result of the French and German International Screendance Residency project, organised by La Briqueterie-CDCN du Val-de-Marne and taking place at La Place de la Danse - CDCN Toulouse / Occitanie!

    at Greensboro Dance Film Festival!

    March 2024
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  • Tanniqua-Kay Buchanan

    Though, I wasn't able to attend in person due to scheduling conflicts, It was a great honor to be a part of this Greensboro Dance Film Festival!

    January 2024
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  • Heather Coker Hawkins

    I was so happy to attend the screening in February 2023 at transform GSO. It is a great space and an honor to have my film screen with a great program of films! Robin Gee and the team are wonderful! Check the FB page for most up-to-date GDFF information.

    March 2023
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  • Carl Flink

    While we were unable to attend in person, Black Label Movement is deeply grateful to GDFF for the opportunity to have our film "A Dream of Touch When Touch Is Gone" share the screen with all of this year's selections!

    January 2022
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