San Francisco Dance Film Festival (SFDFF) is a multi-day international event showcasing the best in dance film from around the world.

For our 2025 season we will celebrate with enhanced in-person programs, building back the much-missed excitement of film on the big screen and live interactions among artists and audiences. We will also offer virtual programming through our streaming partner MarqueeTV along with bonus material for our international community who may not be able to attend in person.

SFDFF has become one of the most respected and influential dance film festivals in the world. A non-profit organization operating year round, SFDFF has the mission of supporting independent artists through screenings, panels, filmmaking workshops, and original film productions that bring together professionals from the communities of dance, filmmaking, and music in unprecedented collaborations.

The festival continues to seek groundbreaking work and welcomes submissions of all dance-based works. All forms of dance are welcome. See the category descriptions for full details.

Unsure about your film's category? No problem! We'll help you find the right fit. If needed, we'll reassign your film to the most appropriate category during the review process.

Filmmaker Benefits:

— Eligibility for filmmaker awards
— Free Festival Pass providing admission to programs and events during the festival
— Industry networking and discovery opportunities. Several of the films screened at SFDFF have gone on to receive distribution offers.
— Opportunities for further exposure via our “Encore Shorts" spotlight series, "On the Road" touring reel and other educational outreach programs
— Inclusion in our permanent digital archive.
— “Official SFDFF Selection” laurel to help promote your film

Awards & Prizes

All films selected for the Festival are eligible for the following awards. Winners will be chosen by independent award jury.

— Best Documentary Feature
— Best Documentary Short
— Best Choreography
— Best Performance
— Best Cinematography
— Best Set/Production Design
— Best Editing
— Best Sound Design
— Best Score
— Best Narrative Film
— Best Screendance Short

Audience Favorite awards, selected by audience survey, will be announced the week following the festival. In addition to receiving the award, winning films may be presented at an encore screening during SFDFF's spring festival.

Rules & Terms

FILM COMPETITION GENERAL RULES & GUIDELINES

— All dance-based films of any style or length will be considered.

— Films must have a production date of 2023 or later.

— Filmmakers must Include high-resolution film stills and/or production photos with each submission, including photo credits.

— Films with dialogue or music lyrics must include a closed caption .srt file if selected

— Student filmmakers must submit a current, valid student ID or proof of enrollment at the time the film was made, with your submission.

— As fellow artists we take to heart the amount of work put into each film. Therefore, we are careful to ensure that each film is screened by at least three reviewers.

EXHIBITION FORMATS
Selected films will be requested in their native frame rate in QuickTime format using one of the following codecs: ProRes, ProRes HQ, or ProRes 4444. Blu-ray may be requested as an additional option for films over 20 minutes ONLY. A ProRes file will also be required as backup.

RELEASE
— The individual or production company submitting the film hereby warrants that they have cleared all necessary copyrights, including any underlying rights, to submit this film and its supporting materials to SFDFF and will hold SFDFF harmless from and against any and all third party claims.

— By submitting your film, SFDFF is hereby granted the right to utilize any submitted materials, including video and still images for purposes of promotion of the 2025 Festival and for future institutional promotion of SFDFF.

— If selected, filmmakers agree to participate in SFDFF’s "Encore Shorts" program.

— Once submitted, a film cannot be withdrawn for any reason.
45 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Valeria Galluccio

    Unfortunately I did not attend the screening, but I followed the festival from afar. What an honor to be part of this prestigious dance film festival, and what an immense satisfaction that my film was awarded. Thank you for spreading the art of dance in forms other than the stage. See you soon :)

    January 2025
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  • Sad K

    It was an exceptional and invaluable festival. The execution team and organizers were incredibly supportive, helping all the filmmakers gain meaningful experience and expand their networks. As an emerging filmmaker, I found attending SFDFF to be profoundly impactful and inspiring for my future journey. My heartfelt thanks to the festival organizers.

    November 2024
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  • ALEXANDRA NIKOLCHEV

    I highly recommend SFDFF. The team is great. It was a wonderful experience to network in person and screen our film a fabulous venue in the city. Thanks for having us!

    October 2024
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  • Jennifer Lin

    Very well-run festival. Organizers did excellent job of marketing the films. Thank you!

    October 2024
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  • Mesha Kussman

    Wonderful festival! Well organized and attended. This One Is For You was featured in the Raising Voices program. Really appreciate their commitment to supporting film as a way to encourage social change!

    December 2023
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