ScreenDance Road Show (formerly the Motion State Dance Films Series) is the only year-long, traveling short screendance festival in New England devoted to showcasing the diversity of contemporary creative voices exploring the medium of choreography for the camera.

By taking the festival "on the road" and into non-traditional film venues, such as art galleries, music halls, libraries, and university classrooms, Motion State Arts seeks to expose new audiences to this fabulous, ever-evolving art form.

Every screening is followed by a public Q & A with the curators. All festival artists are invited and encouraged to take part in the conversation, should they find themselves in the area of any given screening.

Examples of past venues have included: Columbus Theatre (RI); Dean College (MA); Jamestown Arts Center (RI); Keene State (NH); Trinity College , (CT); Newport Art Museum (RI); School for Contemporary School & Thought, (MA); The Plant, (RI); Providence Public Library, (RI); Townson University (MD) and the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center (MA).

Motion State Arts is a non-profit organization based in Providence, RI, and in addition to producing film screenings, presents live performances, hosts movement classes, and facilitates community conversations.

Awards & Prizes

All films will be provided a festival laurel.

Rules & Terms

CRITERIA
Through this open call, ScreenDance RoadShow invites filmmakers to submit short films (maximum duration 15 minutes) in which dance and cinematography play equal creative roles.

ScreenDance RoadShow is excited to explore the ever expanding definitions of "dance" and "choreography," and is open to including films that use adjacent time-based technologies, such as animation, computer graphics, and puppetry.

Compilations and documentation of live dance performances will not be considered.

COPYRIGHTS AND CONDITIONS
The individual or entity submitting this film (1) warrants that it holds all necessary rights for submission of this film for exhibition in the ScreenDance RoadShow and for use in related promotional and educational events prior to the festival and up to 24 months thereafter and (2) shall indemnify and hold harmless Motion State Arts from and against any and all claims, costs, suits, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney’s fees, and court costs) by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, royalties, publicity and/or screening related to the film.

Final acceptance decisions are made by the Festival Directors. These decisions are final and are not subject to appeal. Submission fees are non-refundable.

Final film format decisions of accepted films are solely decided by the Festival Directors. We will make every effort to show on the best format, with the best resolution and sound quality but there are no guarantees. Exhibition formats and level of screening quality may change based on equipment availability and venue changes.

ScreenDance RoadShow is granted the right to utilize and excerpt from any film or image submitted and accepted for exhibition at the festival, on the Motion State Arts website, and for promotional purposes.

All accepted short films are to be projected digitally. Submitted films must have a minimum resolution of 1920x1080.

ScreenDance RoadShow does not pay screening fees for submitted and accepted films, both in and out of competition.

TERMS
Entry fees are not refundable, and only completed entries with paid submission fees will be processed and considered for screening.

Only completed films may be submitted and will be considered.

3 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Susan Mann

    We were thrilled with the quality of the presentations, with the ease of communication with the festival organizers, with the chance to present out work to sizeable audiences; and with the opportunities provided to discuss our work with other creators. Sending our work on an east coast tour without having to set it up ourselves was a real treat. Motion State is one of our favorite dance/film festival experiences!

    April 2022
    Helpful
  • Jessica Stegall

    I had a wonderful experience taking part in this film festival. Ali and Andy were extremely welcoming and kind, and I loved the opportunity to show and talk about my work on multiple occasions. I made valuable connections through this festival and really appreciated the opportunities to get to know the other artists and their work. Thank you for including me!!

    April 2022
    Helpful
  • Marta Renzi

    Who doesn't love the idea of a festival which has more than one date and location? I attended 2, and felt very welcomed by Ali & Andy, the two organizers of the festival. Small-ish attendance, but lively Q&A after.

    June 2020
    Helpful