DARE TO DANCE IN PUBLIC FILM FESTIVAL (D2D) is a Los Angeles based, International Dance Film Festival dedicated to the concept of democratizing & spreading the wealth of DANCE ON FILM… 

We are an inclusive dance film festival, and as such D2D does not require films to be Los Angeles PREMIERES… because if you’re film is good -
we think it’s worth seeing more than once!

D2D believes in dance as a universal language, one that when intersected with film, can create new ways of seeing, feeling, & experiencing both art forms…. an experience worth repeating!

D2D welcomes dance films of all genres. We seek work that speaks dance as a universal language - transcending perceived borders of culture, religion, gender, race and more… Films that creatively explore what is possible at the intersections of dance and film, and what it is to be human & alive in the world today.

D2D is women-run by WORKING choreographers & directors active in:
Stage & Screen
Commercial & Artistic
Site-Specific & Immersive models of dance

D2D has a GLOBAL REACH and regularly attracts pre-eminent judges from the worlds of dance & film internationally, such as:

Kyle Abraham, Desmond Richardson, Karole Armitage, Paul Lightfoot, Tony Testa, Nina McNeely, Stephen Galloway, Louise Lecavalier, Vincent Patterson, d. Sabela Grimes, Julie McDonald, Benjamin Seroussi, Valerie Ferris, Kristie Edmunds, Jasmine Albuquerque, Rick Tjia.

D2D continues to be on the move... last year & this year we will once again travel to Portland with many Official Selections presented in collaboration with BODYVOX. With new opportunities emerging regularly, last year some of our films traveled all the way to screenings at The Kennedy Center!

DARE TO DANCE IN PUBLIC FILM FESTIVAL (D2D) is proudly in collaboration with CINEVOX Dance Film Festival, hosted annually by BodyVox in Portland, Oregon, USA. BodyVox is an internationally touring contemporary dance company whose productions are known for incorporating film and live video feeds and effects, and the company has made numerous films that have won multiple international awards. CINEVOX is dedicated to sharing innovative new dance films from around the world with Portland's ever-expanding dance audience. Now in its 8th year, CINEVOX has firmly established itself as an important venue for films of global significance.

Awards & Prizes

*Minimum $100 per category, exact amount TBA

Best Interface of Dance & Camera
Best Original Choreography
Best Use of Location
Best Editing
Most Daring Film

Rules & Terms

Please READ AND CONSIDER THESE RULES CAREFULLY:

DARE TO DANCE IN PUBLIC FILM FESTIVAL: Round 8

D2D: Round 8 invites dance film makers to continue to dance and film safely in accordance with the Covid-19 guidelines of wherever you are in the world. While D2D is founded on the concept of taking dance into the public realm, at this moment the safety and well-being of our dance filmmaking community is our main priority.

We invite you to submit your dance films that are created in public and alternative spaces & places - wherever you can FILM SAFELY.

DARE TO DANCE IN PUBLIC FILM FESTIVAL is singular in the world of dance film festivals as it is a platform presenting a range of films from first time filmmakers to seasoned professionals. Every year for our judging panel we recruit renowned creatives from the worlds of dance, film, theater and beyond.

LENGTH:
Each submission must be a minimum of 2 minutes and not exceed 10 minutes in length.

POLISHED OR RAW:
Polished i.e. films in which filmmakers intentionally create and/or pre-conceptualize the choreography & filmic approach in response to a public site or space and its usage, architecture, scale, etc. or RAW, i.e. films in which filmmakers capture a dancer(s) or an event that appears to be happening in a spontaneous and/or unplanned fashion (e.g. found dance), are accepted.

*PLEASE NOTE: ALL FILMS, RAW &/OR POLISHED, MUST PURSUE AN INTEGRITY OF FORM, MOVEMENT, AND RELATIONSHIP OF MOVEMENT/DANCE TO CAMERA*

Submitting filmmakers must provide a brief synopsis of their film, including where it was created/filmed.

Winning films must be shareable on Vimeo &/or Youtube.

We ask each Filmmaker to follow us on Instagram (if applicable):
@dare2danceinpublic @arrogantelbow @zoe.rappaport

*Multiple entries by a single filmmaker are welcome, each entry requires a separate fee.

All submissions must be made through FilmFreeway.

Submissions will be judged based to a greater or lesser degree (depending on the submission category) on the quality of the overall film, its editing, choreography, concept, originality, use of space, and interface of the dance with camera.
11 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • David Stanek

    Absolutely incredible - Zoe and Sarah were the most incredible people to count on submitting my first film towards. Their openness towards embracing a project that was so challenging and experimental has left me a lifelong fan and supporter of D2D

    May 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much for your support!!!

    xoxo
    D2D

  • Gabriel Diamond

    I had a short dance doc play in the 2023 festival and made the trip down to LA for the screening. From the moment I walked into the theater I was made to feel valued. People recognized me from the film and wanted to give me a hug before the film even played. After the screening there was a rich, in depth Q&A. I met some really interesting and diverse dancer/filmmakers and we all went out to dinner afterwards. Many great connections at the intersection of dance/film/public art. I hope to be back!

    January 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you Gabriel, and we loved having you and your film! So many people are still commenting to us about how moved they were by it... We were truly honored to have you there in person and look forward to seeing what you do next!

  • TIMEA PAPP

    Truly happy I submitted our move to the Festival. Such a nice and quick communication. Amazing community. I am honored to be a part of so many great piece of art. Seeing the edited video of all the selected films, I feel beyond happy to have won. Can't wait to come back again. 🙏🏻

    November 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you Time!!! We were SO PROUD & HONORED to screen your extremely important film, which the judges were also hugely impressed by. Please keep in touch with your future endeavors in the arena of dance & film... We so look forward to seeing them!!!

  • Laura Steiner

    Loved this festival since I first heard about it and I feel absolutely honored to have screened my dance film here this year. A festival that focuses on the public space is so relevant as a way of highlighting the power of dance to dialogue and create bridges between people and space, people and city, people and out neighbours, people and sound, people and weather. The list goes on. It's unfortunate I didn't get to attend in person but communication with the festival was flawless and I am thrilled to have been able to show my film side so many wonderful dance films.

    November 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you Laura! We were SO HONORED to have THICK SKIN be a part of our Festival, and we cannot wait to see what you do next!

    Love & thanks,
    Team D2D

  • Mike Godlewski

    Thank you to the entire Dare to Dance team, it was an honor for House of Glass to be awarded at the festival this year. The day was full of screenings of high quality dance films from all around the world. I was delighted to meet so many talented creators at the event. Overall a wonderful, inspiring experience and I can't wait for next year!

    November 2022
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you for the review Mike! The honor was all ours. Thank you both for your beautiful film that was the close to the entire fest!