Idaho Screendance Festival's mission is to promote dance and film arts in Idaho and internationally. The festival is a virtual museum where a diverse range of artistic work combines choreographic and film/video practice. Artists are encouraged to further the arts by creatively exploring a wide range of ideas and themes via innovative movement, dance, and filmmaking.

All in the community are invited to attend and participate in the Idaho Screendance Festival. Categories for film submissions range from age five to adults. Submissions must adhere to the ISF criteria and be "PG" rated. “Screendance” is synonymous to “Dance Film” or “Video Dance.” Screendance is defined as artistic film shorts where movement/dance (any genre or style of dance and pedestrian movement) along with film/video practice are the main mediums of the art. Choreography, dance performers, location, costumes, makeup, sound, lighting, plus cinematography equal Screendance.

Film submissions are submitted to a committee of highly qualified dance film adjudicators. Adjudicators curate the Screendance Festival showings. All submissions will receive a certificate. Each submission category's top entry and a People's Choice award will be awarded. The festival offers a dance filmmaking workshop, mingling opportunities, vendors, a keynote speaker in the field, and screenings of the top film submissions.

Awards & Prizes

Youth Film Artists Award for Outstanding Screendance (Elementary and Middle School Students)
Teen Film Artists Award for Outstanding Screendance (High School Students)
College Student Artists Award for Outstanding Screendance
Pre-Professional Film Artists Award for Outstanding Screendance
Professional Film Artists Award for Outstanding Screendance
Professional Documentary Film Artists Award for Outstanding Screendance
Professional Idaho Film Artists "Syringa" Award for Outstanding Screendance
People's Choice Youth Film Artists Award for Screendance (Elementary and Middle School Students)
People's Choice Teen Film Artists Award for Screendance (High School Students)
People's Choice College Student Artists Award for Screendance
People's Choice Pre-Professional Film Artists Award for Screendance
People's Choice Professional Film Artists Award for Screendance
People's Choice Screendance Documentary

Rules & Terms

Screendance is defined as artistic film shorts, documentaries, or feature-length films where movement / dance (any genre or style of dance and pedestrian movement) along with film/video practice are the main mediums of the art. Choreography, dance performers, location, costumes, makeup, sound, lighting, plus cinematography equal Screendance.

Submission Rules:

1- Films using any movement/dance genre or style will be considered.

2- Film MUST BE appropriate for all ages. This is a community-centered event. No nudity, swearing, or violence. "PG" rated. The ISF adjudicators may ask the filmmaker to make adjustments for acceptance, and the filmmaker may choose whether to or not make the adjustments to be accepted.

3- Film Length:

2 to 5 minutes for Elementary, Middle School, and High School short submissions
2 to 10 minutes for College short submissions
2 to 10 minutes for pre-professional short submissions
2 to 30 minutes professional short submissions
Under 120 minutes professional Documentary submissions

4- Please provide:

Dance Video Title at the beginning of the film

Artist Statement: brief paragraph statement describing what was the inspiration/meaning of the work (this may be written in the beginning titles or at the end credits (please submit the artist statement in your cover letter when submitting your film)

Video ending credits, listing the director of photography, the camera operator, camera assistant, choreographer(s), dance performer(s), location, hair and make-up person, costume designer, location manager, production designer, editor, general information concerning date, place, and who is performing

Soundtrack for the dance film (music, noises, voices, etc.)

Film is edited

2 minutes minimum, no more than 5 minutes long for elementary-high school short submissions, no more than 10 minutes long for college or pre-professional short submissions, no more than 30 minutes for professional short submissions, and no more than 90 minutes for documentary submissions

Video format is watchable on any computer.

Provide 1-2 screenshots of your film, film poster, and permission given to Idaho Screendance Festival to post photos on the website and marketing tools.
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  • Ysabelle Taylor

    I very much appreciated an Honorable Mention from the Idaho Screendance Festival for "Hypnagogia". Although my film was not selected to be shown I was sent a full program by email, and if I lived in the area I would definitely have attended.

    July 2024
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  • Bobby Morris

    It was such a gift to connect with this gathering of films and of people. We found the design and the programming very thoughtful and distinct in its tone and inclusivity. thank you for creating this kind of space! it was an honor to participate in a small way.

    June 2021
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  • Marko Pejović

    Unfortunately, I could not be at the festival, but I am glad that my film Glance was selected and screening at the festival. The communication was efficient and kind. I would recommend this festival.

    May 2021
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  • Ali Landers

    It was a wonderful experience to have our Pivot Inclusive dance small film accepted at the Festival. We'll be submitting again next year and look forward to many more years supporting and attending our local screendance festival. Loved all the films chosen and am excited about next years films!

    May 2019
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  • Richard James Allen

    Here at The Physical TV Company in Sydney, Australia, we were delighted to that you selected DIGITAL AFTERLIVES to screen at the Idaho Screendance Festival and especially thrilled to win an Award! Thanks so much for your warm engagement with, and support of, our work, Rachel Swenson and team.

    May 2019
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