Get ready for Portland Dance Film Fest 2025!

Portland Dance Film Fest (PDFF) invites dance filmmakers to submit their minis, shorts, long, & mini-documentary dance films for PDFF’s 9th annual dance film festival. PDFF is a multi-day festival showcasing curated dance film submissions from around the world. We are looking for originality, innovative cinematography, unique choreography, and a demonstration of dance and film in a synergistic relationship.

Some questions we are asking as we judge dance films are:
- Is the choreography made with the camera in mind?
- Does the camera have choreography?
- Does the camera contribute to the success of the dance OR would this be more successful as a live performance?

In general, we are not looking for dance documentation or the capturing of dance works as live stage performances. We are open to animation, experimental films, narrative, non-narrative and will only accept films with the story and concept told primarily through movement. If you have questions about your submission please contact us!

⚠️ Please note that the filmmaker must own or have cleared copyright of all aspects of the submitted film. This includes all music and images used. PDFF accepts no responsibility, financial or otherwise, in regards to clearing copyrighted material.

Awards & Prizes

All selected films will receive an official laurel. Attending Filmmakers will receive two complimentary festival tickets. Award winning films will receive a $100 prize.

Awards:
🏆 Jury Award** - Highest rated film by judges ($100)
🏆 Best Mini - Highest rated Mini by judges ($100)
🏆 Best Short - Highest rated Short by judges ($100)
🏆 Best Long - Highest rated Long by judges ($100)

**Jury award will replace either the mini, short, or long award if it falls into that category.

🏆 Audience Award Picks 1 ($100)
🏆 Audience Award Picks 2 ($100)
🏆 Audience Award Picks 3 ($100)

Additional awards (Best Choreography, Best Cinematography, Best Director, etc.,) may be created for the films that the judges feel exceed in that category! 🏆 $100 prize will also be offered to those winners.

Rules & Terms

RULES AND GUIDELINES

🎥 Mini // 0 – 5 minutes
🎥 Short // 5:01 - 15 minutes
🎥 Long // 15:01 +
🎥 Oregon Artist // All lengths Welcome - Only submit to the Oregon Artist category. PDFF will sort your film into the Mini, Short, & Long categories during judging.

🎥 Mini- Documentary // 20 Minutes or Less

ALL Films:
» Dance must be made for film, PDFF will not accept live stage performances.
» We ask that your film is not shown in the greater Portland, OR area 2 months prior to the festival showing.
» Please include English subtitles if no English language is included.
» All films submitted must be completed at time of submission.
» By submitting a film for consideration to Portland Dance Film Fest, the filmmaker/production company grants PDFF the right to screen the film throughout the duration of the festival in any capacity. PDFF will never upload a non-password protected film to the Internet without the filmmakers consent.

⚠️ The applicant declares that they have obtained all necessary rights and permissions to present the film in Portland Dance Film Fest. The filmmaker must own or have cleared copyright of all aspects of the submitted film. This includes all music and images used. PDFF accepts no responsibility, financial or otherwise, in regards to clearing copyrighted material.
» Submission of an entry gives Portland Dance Film Fest and its presenters permission to have excerpts of accepted work, including press material and film trailers, shown in all promotional activities related to the festival.
17 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Oskar Luko

    Me dió mucha pena no poder acudir al Festival, me parece un festival fantastico y la directora publicaba constantemente información sobre los eventos y proyecciones.

    October 2024
    Helpful
  • Jody Oberfelder

    Thank you for the opportunity to share my dance film in great company in an excellently curated festival!

    October 2024
    Helpful
  • Valeria Galluccio

    I thank Portland Dance Film festival for the professionalism and enthusiasm they put into making the 2023 edition. My film LUCE was selected, I was not able to personally participate, but I followed from afar thanks to the excellent communication made through social media. I was proud that my film LUCE was screened among other interesting films from different parts of the globe. Thank you Portland Dance Film festival for your work, dedication and encouragement of dance. See you soon!
    Valeria Galluccio

    November 2023
    Helpful
  • Paul Rabinowitz

    Great Festival, I will resubmit next year!

    October 2023
    Helpful
  • Robert Uehlin

    I had the pleasure of being involved in the 2022 Portland Dance Film Festival. I was so inspired by the thoughtful curation and by the care the festival team showed me and the other filmmakers present at the festival. I so look forward to submitting again in the future!

    October 2022
    Helpful