PNB Dance Film Festival
The Festival was born from an unprecedented explosion of creativity during COVID 19 lockdowns that stretched our art form in ways never experienced before. Through the PNB Dance Film Festival, we seek to amplify dance films and emerging artists by showcasing their work with PNB’s audiences in Seattle and beyond. During our first two seasons we processed nearly 500 applications, featured 25 works in two cities (Seattle and Los Angeles) and helped fund three world premiere films.

This year, in addition to PNB's digital release of the festival, we will be hosting two in person screenings. Our first event of the season will be held in Seattle's McCaw Hall, the home of the Pacific Northwest Ballet. On April 13th, between two company performances, a screening will be held in the theater's Nesholm Family Lecture Hall. Soon after this event the company will release the films online for a limited time. In August PNB will take to the outdoors and bring the festival back to the Seattle Center's Movies At The Mural program. This open air outdoor theater experience is like none other and offers the Seattle community unparalleled access to the festivals wide array of beautiful films.

The application window is open now through December 10, 2023, and everyone is encouraged to submit a film for consideration. Participants are required to clear music, design, and collaborator rights on their own. A diverse panel of leading industry professionals will select the winning films when the Festival opens in April.

Questions? Email filmfest@pnb.org.

Awards & Prizes

Screening fees will be paid to all films featured in this years festival.

Rules & Terms

All dance-based films of any style will be considered, but must have a production date of 2021 or later.
Submissions open Sept. 5th and are accepted through Dec. 5th
Long format films have a 12-minute suggested maximum
Short films must not exceed 4 minutes
Filmmakers/choreographers must not have created work for PNB's Mainstage in the past
Films with dialogue or music lyrics must include closed captions if selected
Recommended file format: 1920×1080, MP4 (H.264). MOV files also accepted.
Applicant must declare that all rights, permissions, and approvals from all collaborators (music, choreography, costume, design, etc.) are granted. PNB is not responsible for clearing rights to films.
Screening fees will be paid to selected films.