Welcome to The Dancers’ Short Film Festival!

This is a film festival for short DANCE films held in London, England, UK. bringing together filmmakers, dancers and choreographers to celebrate the extraordinary and riveting power of dancers on the screen.

We are looking for dance choreography conceived for film under 10 minutes in length. All styles of dance are welcome. Please note that animation, and recordings of performances, are not considered for this festival. Films should have a very high dance content (at least 50%) using digital media to enhance the story or theme of the choreographic intention.

This short film festival was created in 2025 by an Independent Dance Film maker and choreographer who shares and understands your passions. The aim is to create an atmosphere where global film makers, choreographers, dancers and composers can meet and exchange ideas and experiences.

As an independent, self-sustained festival we can not offer funding for attending the event, nor offer screening fees. However, we aim to inform film makers if their film is selected for screening as soon as possible before the event, and by the notification date at the latest. This should give those wishing to attend and benefit from the networking opportunities, as well as all that a great cultural city such as London has to offer, a reasonable amount of time to book travel and accommodation.

Whatever your budget or resources, we appreciate your dance inspired artistic endeavours. Student entries very welcome. Send us your films, we are looking forward to viewing them and screening them!

Banner image: Gathering director Daniel Barth Official Selection 2025

Awards & Prizes

The purpose is to show your film in a cinema setting to a live audience and provide an opportunity to network and share with other creators.

Films awarded an Official Selection will be screened in the cinema. Honorable Mentions will be awarded to films which caught the judges’ attention but were not chosen for screening. ONLY Official Selections will be screened.

Additionally there will be a Judges’ Choice Award, and Audience Choice Award.

Rules & Terms

Films must up to 10 minutes in length including credits.

Films must have been completed after January 2023.

If there is dialogue, foreign language films should have embedded English subtitles or they cannot be considered.

Please make sure that your Project page on FilmFreeway is complete with film link, poster, stills, trailer, film description, director biography and statement, and other details. Priority will be given to films with this information.

If the film is selected, The Dancers' Short Film Festival is permitted to use all images, descriptions and film content to promote the festival and filmmakers.

Once selected as an official selection, a film may not pull out of the festival or withdraw its submission.

The Dancers' Short Film Festival reserves the right to change the venue or date, or change to an online screening, in the unlikely event that unforeseen circumstances necessitate this, and will not be liable for any costs arising as a result of a change in scheduling.

No correspondence will be entered into regarding judging decisions.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
Submitted films must available to be downloaded in MP4 format by the final deadline at the latest.

ENTRY LIABILITY 

The filmmaker / submitting artist must be authorised to submit their film for consideration and must have read, understood, and agreed to all entry requirements. The filmmaker / submitting artist takes full responsibility for the work and in submitting it asserts that it contains no copyright infringements, and indemnifies The Dancers' Short Film Festival and its representatives against any request or legal action from third parties related to or arising from the use of the film. The Dancers' Short Film Festival accepts no responsibility, financial or otherwise in regards to clearing copyrighted materials.
5 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Alessio kgi giaccaglia

    ​"Really great experience at this festival! The organization was spot on and the artists' work was super interesting. I loved the attention shown to the attendees and especially the chance to chat and network directly with the artists. Also, grabbing a drink at the traditional old English pub right next to the venue was the perfect way to round off the atmosphere. Such a great event! 👏✨"

    January 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Grazie mille Alessio! It was great to meet you and Marika and I'm so glad you enjoyed the whole event. Thank you for submitting your amusing and atmospheric film, and for travelling from Italy to attend.

  • Paola Samoggia

    Honoured by the selection at your prestigious festival. This is an authentic dance film festival, made unique and meticulously curated with passion and expertise by the vision of its director: a dancer. Congratulations on establishing such a significant fixture in the dance film landscape. We look forward to participating in future editions!

    November 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much Paola for this fantastic review! I feel very honoured and thrilled that my goals were achieved. The team are looking forward to next year, and thank you for submitting your thought provoking film.

  • Robin Bisio

    As true insider film fest for dance films curated by a dancer with a lineup of international standouts! Bravo for a first year fest!

    November 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you Robin for this lovely review and for submitting your beautiful films.

  • Olena Hruzdieva

    Thank you, we are very pleased that our project «Tango during the war» has been selected as an honorable mention in The Dancers' Short Film Festival

    November 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you Olena for sending us your compelling film!

  • Aleth Berenice

    Excellent! Fantastic Venue, great communication, well curated.

    November 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you Berenice for submitting your mesmerising film our festival. And congratulations on your award!