Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 11, 2026

Dances With Films

Dances With Films (DWF) is an annual independent film festival located in Los Angeles, California and New York. It was founded by Leslee Scallon and Michael Trent.

Last revised
Jul 11, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
282 w
Citations
6
Source
Dances With Films
LocationLos Angeles, California, United States
Founded1998
Most recent2025
Festival dateOpening: 19 June 2025 (2025-06-19)
Closing: 29 June 2025 (2025-06-29)
LanguageEnglish
Websitedanceswithfilms.com

Dances With Films (DWF) is an annual independent film festival located in Los Angeles, California and New York. It was founded by Leslee Scallon and Michael Trent.

Lineup

Taking place every year since 1998, the festival is dedicated to representing true independent cinema stipulating that all films entered into the festival competition have no known directors, writers or producers connected to them. Programs include a mix of feature-length films, shorts, documentaries and animations.123

In 2022, Dances With Films held its inaugural New York festival, at the Regal Cinemas in Union Square.4

In 2025, the festival celebrated its 28th annual film festival at the TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood.5

Notable artists

Dances With Films alumni include Gina Rodriguez, Jesse Eisenberg, Bryan Cranston, Betsy Brandt, Ryan Eggold, Steven Kane, Mark V. Olsen and Will Scheffer, Dan Harris, John Putch6 and Mike Flanagan. Often in some of earliest appearances and works of their careers.

References

References

  1. King, Susan (2009-06-04). "Dances With Films: A festival that's decidedly independent". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2012-02-05.
  2. King, Susan (2011-06-02). "Dances With Films was born of rejection". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2012-02-05.
  3. Stewart, Andrew (2009-06-01). "Dances With Films laces up in L.A." Variety. Retrieved 2012-02-05.
  4. Keogan, Natalia (2022-12-01). "Dances With Films Kicks off Its Inaugural New York Edition". Filmmaker Magazine. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
  5. Complex, Valerie (2023-06-01). "LA's Dances With Films Reveals Slate For 26th Annual Independent Film Festival; To Take Place At TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood". Deadline. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
  6. Rupprecht, Kyle (2008-07-21). "Dance with Films at this Week-Long Fest". MovieMaker. Archived from the original on 2012-10-10. Retrieved 2012-02-05.
External links