About SKIN Festival:

SKIN Festival is a platform for dance, performance, film, and talks, amplifying female artists whose stories get under your skin.

In an increasingly misogynistic world , FLINTA* artists from a wide range of backgrounds courageously explore trauma, joy, violence and resilience. Dance makes the strength and vulnerability of the body tangible. Inspired by female resilience, the performances tell moving stories that touch and inspire reflection. A space for healing, empowerment - intense, genuine, connecting.

SKIN 2026 - Bodies of Belonging – Dance as Resonance of Identity and Memory

The SKIN PERFORMANCE DANCE FESTIVAL 2026 explores the body as a space of resonance — a living archive of memory, heritage, and empowerment.
Under the theme “Bodies of Belonging”, artists from diverse cultural and social backgrounds — women, queer and post-migrant voices come together to tell their stories through dance and performance.

“Skin” becomes a metaphor for contact and boundary, for what separates and connects us. The work questions how identity moves — between languages, traditions, loss, and new forms of belonging. Dance emerges as a language for what cannot be said: for resistance, tenderness, joy, and collective transformation.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR :
We are looking for films that explore this years topic of “Bodies of Belonging”. Interested in diverse perspectives of how this topic is approached and realised through the lens and beyond.

All films that are officially selected for the festival will be shown in an installation for the duration of the festival - open to everyone visiting the festival or passing by the installation. The 5 award winning films will be presented on the big screen at the end of the festival.

Awards & Prizes

5 awards will be presented at the end of the festival and screened at the award presentation. These films will be selected by a separate Jury.

All selected films are eligible for an award and can win in the following 5 categories:

- Best Film
- Best Performance by an individual or Ensemble
- Best Thematic Exploration
- Honorable Mentions
- Best Super Short

Rules & Terms

OFFICIAL RULES & TERMS OF ENTRY
SKIN - dance, performance and film festival – 2026 Edition

By submitting a film to SKIN - dance, performance and film festival, the applicant agrees to be bound by the following rules and terms.

1. ELIGIBILITY
* Global Open Call: The Festival is open to filmmakers from all countries. There are no geographic restrictions on the origin of the production or the nationality of the filmmakers.
* Duration: Max. running time for short films: 25 minutes - Max. running time for super short films: 5 minutes
* Completion Date: There is no restriction on the completion date of the film. Works of any age, from historical archives to newly completed projects, are eligible for consideration.
* Format: Films must be submitted via an online screener (Vimeo, YouTube, or FilmFreeway native player) with a valid password if applicable. Links must remain active and accessible until the Festival concludes.
* Content:
1. All genres are welcome: fiction, narrative, documentary, experimental,...
2. Films which do not feature dance, choreography or movement are not eligible and will not be considered for the festival.

2. DIVERSITY & INCLUSION CRITERIA (FLINTA)*
The mission of SKIN - dance, performance and film festival is to amplify voices of marginalized genders.
* Performers: To be eligible, the performers/cast of the submitted work must identify as FLINTA* (Female, Lesbian, Intersex, Non-binary, Transgender, and Agender). Films not meeting this criterion will be disqualified.
* Directors: Priority consideration is given to projects where the Director(s) identify as FLINTA*. While films directed by non-FLINTA* individuals may be submitted, they will only be considered if the project demonstrates exceptional alignment with the Festival’s mission and features a predominantly FLINTA* cast and creative team.

3. RIGHTS & SCREENING LICENSE
* Grant of Rights: By submitting to this Festival, the Entrant warrants that they hold all necessary rights to the film, including music, performance, and distribution rights.
* Screening Authorization: If selected, the Entrant grants SKIN - dance, performance and film festival the non-exclusive right to screen the film:
1. At the physical festival venue(s) in Basel.
2. For promotional purposes (trailers, clips, stills) in association with the Festival’s marketing.
* No Compensation: Unless otherwise specified in a separate selection agreement, this screening license is granted without financial compensation to the Entrant. Travel or accommodation grants may be offered at the Festival’s discretion but are not guaranteed.

4. SUBMISSION FEES & REFUNDS
* Non-Refundable: All submission fees are non-refundable under any circumstances, including but not limited to: withdrawal of the film, technical errors on the part of the Entrant, or non-selection.
* Fee Waivers: Fee waivers may be available upon request for filmmakers facing financial hardship, subject to Festival approval prior to submission.

5. SUBMISSION LIMITS & UPDATES
* One Entry Per Form: Each submission form is valid for one film title only. Multiple films require separate submissions and fees.

6. NOTIFICATION & PREMIERE STATUS
* Notification: All entrants will be notified of the selection decision via email. If an Entrant has not received notification by this date, their film has not been selected.
* Premiere Status: Premiere status is not required. Films that have screened at other festivals, online, or on television are welcome to submit.