Welcome to the Luru Screen Dance Festival - a festival dedicated to the art of screendance, where movement meets cinema in bold, innovative, and boundary-pushing ways. Based in Bangalore, India, Luru brings together filmmakers, choreographers, dancers, visual artists, and interdisciplinary creators from across the world to celebrate storytelling through the moving body and the moving image.

The festival serves as a platform for emerging and established artists who explore the intersection of dance, film, performance, technology, and experimental visual language. From intimate movement narratives to large-scale cinematic explorations, Luru Screen Dance Festival champions works that challenge conventional forms and expand the possibilities of both dance and film.

As a first-time launch on FilmFreeway, we are excited to invite global submissions that embody originality, artistic risk, cultural diversity, and contemporary perspectives in screendance. Through screenings, artist interactions, workshops, and international collaborations, Luru aims to build a vibrant community around movement-based cinema in South Asia and beyond.

We welcome films of all genres, styles, and approaches that engage with movement as a central element of the cinematic experience.

Awards & Prizes

The presents awards celebrating innovation, movement, and cinematic excellence in screendance.

Award Categories:

Best Screendance Film
Best Choreography for Camera
Best Cinematography (Screendance)
Best Music Video

Official Selections & Special Mentions
All Official Selections and Special Mention films will be screened as part of the festival programme.

Selected artists will receive:
- Official festival laurels and certificates
- International exposure through our festival
- Opportunities to connect with filmmakers, choreographers, dancers, and interdisciplinary artists
- Promotion across the festival’s media and social platforms
- Participation in screenings, discussions, and artist interactions

Luru Screen Dance Festival is committed to creating a platform that supports artistic exchange, contemporary movement practices, and new cinematic voices from around the world.

Rules & Terms

RULES & TERMS

Eligibility

- Films of all nationalities are welcome.
- Entries must explore movement, choreography, or the body as a central element of the film.
- All genres and styles of screendance, dance film, experimental movement film, and interdisciplinary moving-image works are accepted.
- Documentaries will NOT be accepted.
- Films must have been completed after January 1, 2024.
- Student and independent filmmakers are encouraged to apply.

Submission Requirements

- Films must be submitted via FilmFreeway
- All non-English films must include English subtitles.
- Multiple entries are allowed, but each film must be submitted separately.
- Entrants must own all necessary rights, including music, choreography, footage, and performance permissions.
- The festival is not responsible for copyright infringement claims.

Film Specifications

- Maximum duration: 30 minutes
- Accepted formats for screening selections: MP4 or MOV (H.264 preferred)
- Films must be submitted in high-resolution digital format suitable for projection.

Selection Process

- Films will be reviewed by the festival programming team and jury panel.
- Selected films will be notified via FilmFreeway and email.
- Jury decisions are final and non-negotiable.
- The festival reserves the right to determine the eligibility of any project.

Screening & Festival Rights

- By submitting, participants grant the the right to screen the selected film during theprogramme.
- Official Selections and Special Mention films will be screened as part of the festival programme.
- The festival may use stills, trailers, excerpts (maximum 1 minute), and promotional material for marketing and publicity purposes.
- Filmmakers retain full ownership and copyright of their work.

Awards

- Awards will be presented in the following categories:
1. Best Screendance Film
2. Best Choreography for Camera
3. Best Cinematography (Screendance)

General Terms

- Incomplete submissions may not be considered.
- The festival reserves the right to update rules, dates, venues, and programming if necessary.
- Submission to the festival implies acceptance of all rules and terms listed above.