About the Film Festival and Screening Series
A global celebration of screendance, dance on film, and movement-based storytelling.
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.
Launched in 2021, this festival has now received over 800 submissions from more than 40 countries, and continues to grow as a global showcase of choreographic and cinematic excellence.
2026 Film Festival and Screening Series
| 🇯🇵 7artscafe Yokohama, Japan | Kim Robards Dance Denver, Colorado | 🇺🇸 Tallgrass Film Festival Wichita, Kansas |
Key Dates:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Submissions Open | July 6, 2026 |
| Submission Deadline | August 15, 2026 |
| Notification of Selected Films | September 30, 2026 |
| Festival & Screening Series | October 17–18, 2026 |
🌍 2025 International Screenings
In 2025, Women in Dance expanded its global presence with two international screenings:
🇮🇹 Florence, Italy – October 2025
We are honored to be selected to present the films at 2025 Florence Biennale! This special screening will introduce European audiences to compelling works by women choreographers and filmmakers worldwide.
🇯🇵 Yokohama, Japan – Ongoing Since 2021
Since 2021, Women in Dance has maintained a cherished partnership with 7artscafe, a multidisciplinary art hub in Yokohama. Each year, selected films from the festival are presented in this vibrant venue, offering continued exchange between Japanese audiences and global dance artists. This collaboration is a cornerstone of our international mission, and we are thrilled to continue presenting work in October 2025 at 7artscafe.
🎥 What We Showcase
We select short films that:
- Are 3 to 15 minutes in length
- Use dance or movement as a central expressive language
- Are created by women-identifying artists
- Reflect artistic excellence, originality, and cultural relevance
🌐 Festival Reach
Our selected films have been screened at:
- Women in Dance Leadership Conferences (Baton Rouge, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia)
- Independent cultural centers around the world (7artscafe/Japan, Kim Robards Dance/Denver, Tallgrass Film Festival/Wichita)
- Academic institutions and online showcases
Represented countries have included:
South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Singapore, Canada, Italy, Japan, South Africa, the U.K., and the U.S., among others.
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.