The 2027 Dance on Camera Festival takes place March 31 – April 4, 2027 at St. Michael’s Church, 225 W 99the Street, New York, NY 10025. Submissions have been open since August, 2026 but there is still a late deadline, October 14, 2026 for dance artists and filmmakers to submit their film. Inaugurated in 1971 and co-presented with Film at Lincoln Center from 1996 to 2024, Dance on Camera can proudly say that it is indeed the longest running film festival. The application form can be accessed HERE. Submission Fee: $10
Dance on Camera Festival is celebrating its 55th anniversary by launching two new programs, the Emerging Artists Program in collaboration with their Emerging Artist Resources, and the Student Program. Dance on Camera Festival showcases outstanding dance films and the two newly created categories will go even further to celebrate, support and inspire the next generation of dance artists and filmmakers from around the world. Submissions close October 14, 2026
There are many ways in which Dance on Camera Festival strives to unite dance and film artists with the international professional community. The four day festival offers film screenings, workshops, panel discussions, and other related events. In total, by inviting the press to cover the festival, and by hosting numerous opportunities for everyone to mingle with their peers and experts from the film industry, the festival provides the all-important media attention to the participating artists. The Curators for the 2027 Dance on Camera Festival are American modern dancer, choreographer, professor, and director, Shawn Bible; choreographer, filmmaker, educator, and curator, Irishia Romaine; and dancer, recipient of 2018 Dance Magazine Award and a 2006 Bessie Award, curator, Michael Trusnovec.
Dance on Camera Festival – Dance film titled SCRY by Matilda Mackey – Photo courtesy of Dance on Camera.
“Dance on Camera is excited to strengthen its commitment to and celebration of emerging and student screendance artists. Our new student and emerging artist programs place their work in front of our festival audiences, offer educational and networking opportunities, and a robust dance film community to be a part of. We’re excited to meet all the artists who will take part in these screenings and to be in community with them as their work continues to grow!” ~ Cara Hagan, Executive Director of Dance on Camera
“Emerging Artist Resources is so excited to partner with Dance on Camera to launch the inaugural Emerging Artist Program! Creating more affordable and accessible opportunities for emerging artists is at the heart of what we do, and it’s incredibly meaningful to us to help create a space where new voices, bold ideas, and creative risks can be celebrated within a larger institution. Emerging artists bring so much energy, curiosity, and innovation to our field, and we are thrilled to help give them a platform to share their work. We truly can’t wait to see what this next generation of artists dreams up!”
The Dance on Camera Festival will take place March 31 – April 4, 2027 at St. Michael’s Church, 225 W 99the Street, New York, NY 10025.
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Artists selected for the program will receive:
- A screening of their film as part of the 55th Dance on Camera Festival
- Complimentary access to designated festival workshops
- Discounted tickets to additional Dance on Camera Festival programming
- Invitations to networking opportunities with filmmakers and curators
- The opportunity to have their work seen alongside, and become connected to, the larger dance film community
Dance on Camera Emerging Artist Program logo. Photo courtesy of Dance on Camera.
Other Important and Necessary Information
The Emerging Artist Program is for artists who:
- Identify as being in the emerging stages of their artistic career
- Are exploring dance film or a dance/film collaboration
- Are within the first five years of their dance filmmaking practice
- Are interested in developing their work and connecting with the broader dance film community
You don’t need a long résumé or years of professional dance film experience. If you have a story to tell, movement to explore, or an idea you’re ready to bring to the screen, we want to see what you’re creating.
Dance on Camera Student Film Festival – Logo courtesy of Dance on Camera.
The Student Program is designed for emerging artists, who:
- Are currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program
- Were enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program when making the film
Prior professional dance film experience is not required.
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Submission Fee: $10
EAR members receive an additional submission discount. If you have an EAR account, find your discount code in your email or through your EAR member portal.
Film Requirements
- Films must be 15 minutes or less
- Applicants must own or have secured the necessary rights and permissions for all
- elements of the submitted film, including music
- Films must meet the Emerging Artist Program eligibility requirements
Artists Notified: November 20, 2026
For more information and to submit your film, GO TO FILMFREEWAY
For more information on Dance on Camera and the festival, please visit their website.
Written and compiled by Jeff Slayton from information provided by Dance on Camera.
Featured image: Dance on Camera Festival – Feature-length documentary dance film Through Memory by Tobin Del Cuore – Photo courtesy of Dance on Camera.
