Dare to Dance in Public Film Festival (D2D) is an international dance film festival devoted to celebrating and promoting the genre of screen dance. We are committed to democratizing dance - both on film and live - and being a platform for dance that happens in the public realm, outside of studios and off traditional stages. D2D presents films and live works that explore dance as an urgent, irrational, universal language, and that expand our preconceptions of what it is to be human and alive in the world today. 

This year’s judges: KAROLE ARMITAGE: Artistic Director/Choreographer of Armitage Gone! Dance Company, NINA McNEELEY: Creative director/choreographer storyteller & visual artist, & BENJAMIN SEROUSSI: Creative filmmaker frequently featured on NOWNESS.

*Minimum $100 per category, exact amount TBA

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

Please READ AND CONSIDER THESE RULES CAREFULLY:

DARE TO DANCE IN PUBLIC FILM FESTIVAL: Round 6

Rules & Terms:

In the face of the new Coronavirus variants, and because we are still not out of the woods – D2D: Round 6 invites dance film makers to continue to dance and film safely in accordance with the 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 including your homes, or wherever you can FILM SAFELY. We welcome dance films that continue to explore the theme PANDEMANIA! and/or any other any other prescient & moving subjects, ideas, stories, places, spaces that you desire as long as you can do so safely for all concerned. Pandemania is a made up word which we define as follows:

PANDEMANIA: ( PAN – DUH – MAY – NEE – UH ) a state of abnormally elevated arousal, affect, and energy level due to isolation, frustration, anger, and various strong emotions brought about as a direct result of the Coronavirus, as well as issues/world events e.g. systemic racism, immigration, the environment, LGBTQX & women’s rights, and other pandemics in our collective history. Pandemania frequently ensues in a heightened need for self-expression through movement.

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.

- Both 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.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • 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!

  • Louise Bédard

    We have been very honoured that our film Measureless (Démesures) has been part of your Festival. Thanks for all the nice work that you did for this Dare 2 Dance round 5. I could not attend the Festival but when I saw your beautiful teaser it really pleased me to see how you were welcoming all kind of dance artists and dance film makers. Bravo!

    October 2022
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you Louise! We were honored to include your beautiful film in the fest and we hope to see more from you next year!