San Francisco Dance Film Festival

Overview

San Francisco Dance Film Festival (SFDFF) is a multi-day international event showcasing the best in dance film from around the world. The 2026 Festival will take place in theaters and streaming in late fall, offering screenings, industry panels, live performances, and other opportunities for artists to interact. SFDFF has become one of the most respected and influential dance film festivals in the world. SFDFF is presented by Dance Film SF, a non-profit organization operating year-round to support independent artists through screenings, panels, filmmaking workshops, and original film productions that bring together professionals from the communities of dance, filmmaking, and music in unprecedented collaborations. The festival continues to seek groundbreaking work and welcomes submissions of all dance-based works. All forms of dance are welcome. See the category descriptions for full details. Unsure about your film's category? No problem! Kindly choose the category that best reflects your film’s description. The programming team may adjust the category during review if a more suitable placement is identified. Selected Filmmaker Benefits: — Eligibility for filmmaker awards. — Free Festival Pass providing admission to programs and events during the festival. — Industry networking and discovery opportunities. Many SFDFF selections have gone on to receive distribution offers. — Opportunities for further exposure via our "On the Road" touring reel and other educational outreach programs. — Opportunities to have your film highlighted on SFDFF’s social media channels (Instagram: 120k followers; Facebook: 45k followers) — Consideration for streaming opportunities with our digital partner, Marquee TV, and on Dance Film SF’s streaming platform. — Inclusion in our permanent digital archive. — “Official SFDFF Selection” laurel to help promote your film.

Last updated Sep 4, 2026

Legitimacy Analysis

Trust Signals

Festival Details

FilmFreeway communityGold festival

• Filmmaker

  It was a real pleasure to have Les Chaussures Rouges selected by SFDFF. The team was kind, responsive, and truly supportive of our work (Maddy especially) We felt valued as filmmakers. Thank you for creating such a thoughtful and encouraging environment, we were honored to be part of it. Merci <3

• Filmmaker

  I was really honoured t be a part of this incredible festival!

• Filmmaker

  Great festival! Really enjoyed being part of it. Everyone was super nice and helpful and the selected films were super inspiring to watch.

• Filmmaker

  ✨ I had an incredible filmmaking experience at the 2025 San Francisco Dance Film Festival! ✨ Our film Camille A. Brown: Giant Steps screened as part of the Raising Voices shorts program — a powerful lineup celebrating artistry, identity, and movement. My co-director, Michelle Parkerson, and I were deeply honored that our film shared space with such visionary filmmakers and inspiring stories. A heartfelt thank you to the SFDFF board and staff for curating a beautiful festival experience and for championing dance on film in all its forms. I was inspired and uplifted by the energy of this creative community. I look forward to participating again in the near future.

• Filmmaker

  I had an incredible experience attending the film festival in November with my film "Motherhood"! The team was so welcoming, making the entire event feel special from start to finish. The screenings that I attended were absolutely amazing, well-organized, and inspiring! I also appreciated the visibility on their website and the care they put into supporting filmmakers. It was such an honor to be among so many talented artists. A heartfelt thank you SFDFF!

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