The Snowdance Independent Film Festival is the national and international most respected "new" festival in Germany. It mainly shows productions made with little or no state funding. Furthermore, Snowdance prefers films which are not dominated by the influence of TV stations or major studios. Snowdance sees itself as the main German festival for independent, free-thinking film makers.

Recently located in the city of "Essen / Ruhrgebiet", it offers Germany's largest and most beautiful art house cinemas as well as the catchment area of 5 million people.

Supported by important creatives of the German film scene, Snowdance grows in its first seven years to one of the hottest und most passionate indie film festivals in Europe.

Festival Director Thomas "Tom" Bohn realized "Straight Shooter" with Dennis Hopper and parts of the "Tatort" tv-series as a filmmaker. Snowdance's special guests have been the famous national actors Heiner Lauterbach, Til Schweiger, Götz Otto, Nora Tschirner, Ulrike Folkerts, Max Tidof, Axel Milberg, Valerie Niehaus, Ursula Karven and many others.

The Snowdance Independent Film Festival is made by engaged film creatives for engaged film creatives and their audience. Snowdance does not offer any red carpet or any VIP-corner. But it's a meeting and melting point for actors, directors, producers and all sorts of people who are interested in film.

Come and have a look !

Awards & Prizes

Snowdance Award for the best feature film
Price money : 1.000,- Euro

Snowdance Award for the best documentary
Price money : 1.000,- Euro

Snowdance Award for the best Short Film
Price money: 500,- Euro

Snowdance Award for the best young director (less than 30)
Price money: 500,- Euro

Snowdance Award for the best direction

Snowdance Award for the best script

Rules & Terms

1. We do not offer any discounts or fee waivers.

2. SUBMISSIONS
When submitting to SNOWDANCE you are agreeing to screen the submitted film during the dates of the festival. SNOWDANCE will not pay any screening fees for presentation of the film during the festival.

3. ENTRY REGULATIONS
SNOWDANCE is a competitive showcase for domestic and international feature films and documentaries. SNOWDANCE reserves the right to determine the eligibility of any project submitted. Only works completed in the last two years are eligible for selection.
We only accept online-Screeners (FilmFreeway). When you send DVDs, BluRays or any other material before being invited, SNOWDANCE will not judge it and will not send it back. SNOWDANCE does not accept additional e-mail informations about your film.

4. FILM/VIDEO ENTRIES
All non-english language entries must have English subtitles. Works in progress will not be judged. From SNOWDANCE selected screening material will be returned, press and any application materials will NOT be returned . All features and documentaries submitted must be available in BluRay or DCP for festival presentation.

5. COMPETITION
The SNOWDANCE Film Festival is a competitive event and unless notified otherwise, all films officially selected are eligible for competition. All films are nominated and voted upon by an impartial jury of filmmakers, industry professionals, festival programmers and film aficionados.

6. PRESS MATERIALS
If selected, SNOWDANCE will require an Electronic Press Kit (EPK) to include high-resolution production stills, key art, bio and filmography of the director, production notes and full cast and crew credits.

7. LIABILITY
Although every possible care will be taken with tapes, films, drives and files while in our possession, we cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage. Do not send original or master prints, tapes, files or drives. Please keep SNOWDANCE notified of any address/phone number changes.

8. SHIPPING
The cost of shipping all entries and films to the festival must be paid by the entrant. SNOWDANCE will resent the prints of the shortlist back to the filmmaker. SNOWDANCE will not be responsible for expedited or overnight shipping charges to other organizations. Also, SNOWDANCE cannot guarantee shipment of prints to other festivals during the days of the festival. All international entries must be sent 'free domicile' to the SNOWDANCE office with all transportation charges, duties, and taxes prepaid by the shipper.

9. REPRODUCTION AGREEMENT
Submission of an entry gives SNOWDANCE permission to have excerpts of accepted work, including film trailers, shown in all promotional activities realted to the festival.

10.NOTIFICATION
Films selected for SNOWDANCE will be notified no later than December 12, 2022.

57 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
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  • Michael Herzog

    After winning one of the beautiful awards at the festival for ZONGO we are maybe a little bit biased but still want to point out that we had a wonderful time at the festival. The team is outstanding, everyone is hyped for the movies and we met great people from all around the world. Making this get-together of independent filmmakers possible, even in times of lockdowns and restrictions is a great achievement. Thanks again Snowdance, we will be back one day for sure!

    February 2022
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  • Atsushi Tanabe

    Snowdance Independent Film Festival claims to be Germany's leading film festival for independent and free-thinking filmmakers, and selects films that are made with little or no government funding, and that are not under the influence of television stations or major studios. I feel very honored to have been selected as one of the six nominees for the festival with such a policy. I have seen the other films and they are of very high quality. I would like to send my heartfelt compliments to all the award-winning films and filmmakers.

    Thank you so much for the film festival and all the people involved.

    February 2022
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  • David Klammer

    great small festival, although i couldn t attend it. very happy, that my doc BARRICADE was awarded with best documentary! small but dedicated team!

    February 2022
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  • Maciej Marczewski

    Great festival. Fantastic people. Interesting films. What more can you ask for? :) Thank you for having us at this great event. All the best for the future.

    February 2022
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  • Manuel Weiss

    Thank you „Snowdance- Family“…
    One of the best Festivals I have visited so far. Completely professional and still warmhearted.
    The selected movies were all of great quality and the variety was fascinating.
    Landsberg is like a small Disney town with very welcoming people.
    Our whole team enjoyed being part of it so much and we are looking forward to Snowdance 2023.

    February 2022
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