A global celebration of screendance, dance on film, and movement-based storytelling.
Submissions Open: July 6, 2026
Submit via FilmFreeway
About the Film Festival and Screening Series:
The Women in Dance International Film Festival & Screening Series celebrates innovative films that explore movement, choreography, culture, identity, and human connection through the lens of dance.
Through our international network of presenting partners, selected films will have the opportunity to be showcased in multiple locations, fostering artistic exchange and connecting filmmakers with audiences across cultures.
Women in Dance is committed to amplifying diverse voices and supporting the creation, presentation, and appreciation of screendance and movement-based filmmaking worldwide.
Key Dates:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Submissions Open | July 6, 2026 |
| Submission Deadline | August 15, 2026 |
| Notification of Selected Films | September 15, 2026 |
| Festival & Screening Series | October 17–18, 2026 |
2026 Presenting Partners:
The Women in Dance International Film Festival & Screening Series is made possible through collaborations with presenting partners who share our commitment to artistic excellence, cultural exchange, and expanding opportunities for dance on screen.
| 🇯🇵 7Arts Café Yokohama, Japan | Kim Robard Dance Denver, Colorado | 🇺🇸 Tallgrass Film Festival Wichita, Kansas |
| An intimate arts venue dedicated to interdisciplinary performance, film, and cultural exchange | A respected contemporary dance organization committed to artistic innovation and community engagement | One of the Midwest’s premier independent film festivals, celebrating independent cinema and creative storytelling |
Eligibility:
The festival welcomes submissions from filmmakers and choreographers worldwide.
Eligible submissions include works created by:
- Women-identifying filmmakers and choreographers
- Nonbinary and gender-diverse artists
- Collaborative creative teams aligned with the festival’s mission
- Artists working in all dance genres, movement practices, and cultural traditions
Films should feature dance or movement as a central artistic or storytelling element.
Submission Materials:
Each submission should include:
- Completed submission form
- Vimeo or YouTube screening link (password protected if applicable)
- Artist biography (maximum 100 words)
- Film synopsis (maximum 100 words)
- One high-resolution promotional image
- Director and choreographer credits
- 20 – 30 Second Trailer
- Runtime (Preferred runtime: 3 – 15 minutes, Longer work will also be considered)
Premiere Status
No premiere requirement
Evaluation Criteria
Films will be evaluated by an international panel of artists, scholars, filmmakers, and dance professionals based on:
- Artistic excellence
- Originality
- Choreography and movement
- Cinematic quality
- Storytelling and creative vision
- Overall impact
- Alignment with the mission of Women in Dance
Screening Opportunities
Selected films may be presented as part of the Women in Dance International Film Festival & Screening Series at one or more of our presenting partner venues. Screening schedules will vary by location.
Submission Fee:
$10 USD per submission
Fee Waivers
Women in Dance is committed to making the submission process accessible to artists worldwide. A limited number of fee waivers are available for filmmakers experiencing financial hardship. Please contact info@womenindance.com prior to submitting to request consideration.
Why Submit to Women in Dance?
The Women in Dance International Film Festival & Screening Series is more than a film festival—it is an international platform dedicated to celebrating dance on screen, fostering artistic exchange, and connecting filmmakers with audiences around the world.
Selected filmmakers will have the opportunity to:
Become part of the Women in Dance network, which has connected artists from more than 50 countries through conferences, film festivals, and international collaborations since 2015.
Showcase their work internationally through Women in Dance’s growing network of presenting partners.
Connect with an international community of filmmakers, choreographers, educators, scholars, and dance professionals.
Reach diverse audiences across multiple screening locations and cultural settings.
Celebrate artistic innovation in dance, movement, and screendance alongside artists from around the world.
Contribute to meaningful conversations about dance, culture, identity, and creative storytelling through film.