DEADLINE RELEASE – 11/15/24

2024 CLOSING RELEASE:

27th Annual Dances With Films: LA concludes record-breakingedition of Los Angeles’ leading indie film festival and announces Filmmaker Awards

Grand Jury Prizes are led by Michael Groom’s Between The Lights (Narrative Feature) and Leon Lozano’s A Little Hope For Chicago (Documentary Feature)

Audience Choice Awards are topped by Ori Yardeni andEmil Ben Shimon’s The Man Who Saved the Internet With a Sunflower
for Best Narrative Feature, and Rebecca Corry’sSaving Jones for Best Documentary Feature

Matthew Leutwyler’s Fight Like a Girl
and Peter Decherney’s Is It Because I’m a Girl are the Industry Choice Award winners

Los Angeles, CA (July 1, 2024) – Dances With Films: LA announced its Filmmaker Award winners during a jubilant celebration at The TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood following the 27^th edition of Los Angeles’ leading indie film festival. The Grand Jury Prize winners were led by Michael Groom’s Between the Lights (Best Narrative Feature) and Leon Lozano’s A Little Hope For Chicago. Heading the list of Audience Choice winners were Ori Yardeni and Emil Ben Shimon’s The Man Who Saved the Internet With a Sunflower (Best Narrative Feature), and Rebecca Corry’s Saving Jones (Best Documentary Feature).

DWF’s coveted Industry Choice Awards went to Matthew Leutwyler’s Fight Like A Girl in the “Over 40 Minutes” category, and Peter Decherney’s Is It Because I’m A Girl in the “Under 40 Minutes” category.

Dances With Films’ Founders Leslee Scallon and Michael Trent, said “In our 27^th year, we were struck by the awareness of how our DWF filmmaker family continues to grow exponentially with such an amazingly diverse array of talented artists. As this film festival continues to be dedicated to the mission of supporting them with a singular focus on celebrating and promoting truly independently produced films and projects, we also continue to be humbled seeing all of them form such a tight-knit community too.”

Additional Audience Choice Award winners were Devin Lawrence’s The Disinvited (Fusion Feature), Christian Klein’s Bed By 9 (Downbeat), K.D. Chalk’s Survived By (Dances With Kidz Pro), and Reece Melber and Rachel Othon’s Exposed (Pilots). In the Short Film categories, Audience Choice Awards went to Craig Newman’s I Approve This Message (Narrative), Samantha Ramirez-Hererra’s El Regreso (Documentary), and Daniel Rashid’s Puppy Love (Fusion).

A new edition to Dances With Films this year was the Fever Pitch Short Script Challenge, which was won by Sean Cage’s pitch for his project “Judas Kiss”. Runner ups in the competition were Antjuan Ward’s “In The Pocket”, and Ed Lawrence Robinson’s “Merry Christmas, Colonel Shoup”. Cage received $500 for his winning pitch, while Ward and Robinson will each receive $250. In the Grand Jury Prize competitions, Honorable Mentions went to Jack McCafferty’s Dreaming of You, and Brendan Boogie’s Tallywacker (Narrative), as well as Bill Guttentag’s Spyral (Documentary).

The DWF: LA’s lineup of 232 films, included 117 making world, international, North American, or U.S. premieres in the heart of Hollywood. Three films (Etana Jacobsen’s Advanced Chemistry, Haroula Rose’s All Happy Families, and Verner Maldonado’s Best Man Dead Man) announced distribution deals during the film festival.

Bookended by full house Gala screenings of Mahesh Pailoor’s Paper Flowers (Opening Night) and Terre Weisman’s Max Dagan (Closing Night), Dances With Films: LA kept both the theaters and the Chinese Theater’s lobby filled and hopping with filmmakers and film fans including seven Orange Carpet events over the course of the film festival’s ten days of screenings and panels. In addition to the award winners, crowd pleasers included Patrick VanZandt’s Addy Daddy, Nayip Ramos’ Almost Popular, Benjamin-Shalom Rodriguez’s America’s Next Top Immigrant, Stanley Wong’s Future Date, and Jean Barker’s Nobody Leaves ’til Jesus Comes. Additional crowd favorites among the documentaries included Alex Lamb and Max Well’s The Donn of Tiki, and Razieme Iborra’s How the West Was One. Iborra actually arrived at The Chinese Theater on horseback, making an entrance unmatched by any other filmmaker.

Dances With Films will next return for its 3rd New York City edition in December.

The 2024 DANCES WITH FILMS Award Winners:

GRAND JURY PRIZES

GRAND JURY – NARRATIVE FEATURES
BETWEEN THE LIGHTS
Director/Writer: Michael Groom
Producers: David Groom, Michael Groom

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

DREAMING OF YOU
Director/Writer: Jack McCafferty
Producers: Bridgett Greenberg, Jack McCafferty

TALLYWACKER
Director/Writer: Brendan Boogie
Producers: Jeremy Dubs, Chris Goodwin, Brendan Boogie

GRAND JURY – DOCUMENTARY FEATURES
A LITTLE HOPE FOR CHICAGO
Director: Leon Lozano
Writers: Kevin Nichols, Leon Lozano
Producers: Garrett E.B. Thompson, Kevin Nichols, Leon Lozano

HONORABLE MENTION:

SPYRAL
Director/Writer: Bill Guttentag
Producer: Jennifer Hutchins

GRAND JURY PRIZE – NARRATIVE SHORTS

BLACK SILK
Director/Writer: Patrick Michael
Producers: Patrick Michael, Josh Akin, Tiffany Gist Samuel Skeen

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

KOI
Director/Writer: Taige Shi
Producer: Tianyu Yang

THE RUNT
Director/Writer: Christy Stratton
Story by: Christy Stratton, Mark Norberg
Producers: Katrina Rotondo, Daniela Inés Calvo and Christy Stratton

INDUSTRY CHOICE AWARDS

INDUSTRY CHOICE AWARDS (UNDER 40′)

IS IT BECAUSE I’M A GIRL
Director: Peter Decherney
Producer: Peter Gitau

INDUSTRY CHOICE AWARDS (OVER 40′)

FIGHT LIKE A GIRL
Director/Writer: Matthew Leutwyler
Producers: Anton Laines, Innocent Munyeshuri, Yvette Gayle Serge Ibaka

FEVER PITCH SHORT SCRIPT CHALLENGE

WINNER: JUDAS KISS by Sean Cage

RUNNER UP (TIE)
IN THE POCKET by Antjuan Ward and MERRY CHRISTMAS, COLONEL SHOUP by Ed Lawrence Robinson

AUDIENCE AWARDS

COMPETITION (NARRATIVE) FEATURE AUDIENCE AWARD

THE MAN WHO SAVED THE INTERNET WITH A SUNFLOWER
Directors: Ori Yardeni, Emil Ben Shimon
Writers: Oren Safdie, Izhar Har-Lev, Ori Yardeni
Producers: Kobi Hoffmann, Zehava Shekel

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE AUDIENCE AWARD

SAVING JONES
Director/Writer: Rebecca Corry
Producer: Stand Up For Pits Foundation with Angel Forever

FUSION FEATURE AUDIENCE AWARD

THE DISINVITED
Director: Devin Lawrence
Writers: Devin Lawrence, Matthew Mourgides
Producer: Matthew Mourgides

DOWNBEAT AUDIENCE AWARD

BED BY 9
Director: Christian Klein
Writer: Max Castillo
Producer: Olivia Isabel Comas

DANCES WITH KIDZ PRO AUDIENCE AWARD

SURVIVED BY
Director/Writer: K.D. Chalk
Producers: Nicole Crespo, Pinar Binay

PILOTS AUDIENCE AWARD

EXPOSED
Directors: Reece Melber, Rachel Othon
Writer: Hannah Merritt
Producer: Sina Crenshaw

COMPETITION (NARRATIVE) SHORTS AUDIENCE AWARD

I APPROVE THIS MESSAGE
Director: Craig Newman
Writer: Michael Barringer
Producers: Craig Newman, Michael Barringer

DOCUMENTARY SHORTS AUDIENCE AWARD

EL REGRESO
Director: Samantha Ramirez-Hererra
Producer: Sam Bathrick

FUSION SHORTS AUDIENCE AWARD

PUPPY LOVE
Director: Daniel Rashid
Writers: Daniel Rashid, Elizabeth Valenti
Producers: Reilly Anspaugh, Daniel Rashid, Elizabeth Valenti

DWF:NY 2023| Complete Winners List

New York, NY (December 4, 2023) – Dances With Films – the Indie Film Festival that eschews ‘Marquee Names’ for Indie Talent announced its Audience and Industry Choice Award winners during a breakfast celebration at The Stand (116 E 16^th Street) following a jubilant high energy weekend of screenings and events during its 2^nd New York edition (adding to DWF’s nationwide brand with 26 years in Los Angeles at the Historic Chinese Theatre). The Audience Choice Award winners were led by Justin Chan’s Grounded (Best Narrative Feature) and Hoag Kepner’s Torched – The Story of Austin Torch. Vardan Tozija’s M received DWF’s coveted and rarely awarded Programmers’ Choice Award.

Industry Choice Awards went to Emilio Di Stefano’s Denim Hunter in the “Over 40 Minutes” category, and Nazrin Choudhury’s Red, White And Blue in the “Under 40 Minutes” category.

In the pre-awards presentations remarks during the ceremony, Dances With Films’ Founders Leslee Scallon and Michael Trent spoke about DWF’s ever expanding community of filmmakers and how important it is to them that filmmakers support each other throughout the journey of their artistry. Scallon and Trent emphasized Dances With Films’ dedication to adding to that support, as well as being a film festival and organization that has a singular focus on celebrating and promoting truly independently produced films and projects. This mission is what propels the film festival as it approaches 30 years as a mainstay and leader in the film festival circuit.

Additional Audience Choice Award winners were Malachi Rivers’ Moments (Best Television and Web Series Pilot), John Hays’ We Love You Ray (Best Narrative Short Film), Carin van der Donk, Isabella Vega, and Sarah Teale’s Living Loud (Best Documentary Short Film).

The world premiere-rich lineup (64 world premieres) included a total of 136 films, launching with a raucous Opening Night presentation of DWF alumni Dylan K. Narang’s Tapawingo which included appearances by stars Jon Heder, Gina Gershon, and Amanda Bearse. Among the many films screening to the delight of boisterous crowds at the Regal Union Square included Etana Jacobson’s physical comedy-laden Advanced Chemistry, Isaac Hirotsu Woofter’s locally shot and produced drama Bound, Brendan Boogie’s buddy comedyTallywacker, Micah Khan’s comic horror outing The Zombie Wedding, and Justin Best’s bloody serial killer horror comedy Sheryl.

Crowd pleasers among the documentary selections included Marc Saltarelli’s Studio One Forever about the iconic L.A. gay disco, and Hoag Kepner’s Torched – The Story of Austin Torch about the women/non-binary athletes who make up the Ultimate Frizbee team, the Austin Torch.

Other projects that caught the audience’s fancy were Dana Marisa Schoenfeld’s NYC film world-focused comedy pilot East, Federica Marchese and Vinusha Sundaresan’s thrilling Chinese pilot about two warring teenage sociopath’s The Blind Zone, Alex Hanno’s disarming short film Detox, and Rex Dean’s Space Baby, a remarkable children’s adventure that took more than two decades to complete.

Dances With Films will next return for its 27^th outing in Los Angeles and the Historic Chinese Theatre on June 20-30. For more information about Dances With Films, please go to: https://danceswithfilms.com/.

The 2023 Dances With Films NYC Filmmaker Award Winners:

DOCUMENTARY SHORTS AUDIENCE AWARD

LIVING LOUD

Directed by Carin van der Donk, Isabella Vega and Sarah Teale
Produced by Carin van der Donk and Sarah Teale

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NARRATIVE SHORTS AUDIENCE AWARD

WE LOVE YOU RAY

Written and Directed by John Hays
Produced by John Hays, Nyssa Grant, Sam Cier and Adam Potter

—————

PILOTS AUDIENCE AWARD

MOMENTS

Written by Malachi Rivers
Directed by Aaron Lewis
Produced by Malachi Rivers, Rob Byrd, Carlton Jordan, Aaron Lewis and Jeff Gardere

—————

DOCUMENTARY FEATURES AUDIENCE AWARD

TORCHED – THE STORY OF AUSTIN TORCH

Written and Directed by Hoag Kepner
Produced by Philip Lee, Kim Walker, Steffan Stroud, Mark Udis and Taylor Lukof

—————

NARRATIVE FEATURES AUDIENCE AWARD

GROUNDED

Written and Directed by Justin Chan
Produced by Mattheau O’Brien, Elliot Grant Lim

—————

INDUSTRY CHOICE AWARD (UNDER 40′)

RED, WHITE AND BLUE

Written and Directed by Nazrin Choudhury
Produced by Nazrin Choudhury, Sara McFarlane

—————

INDUSTRY CHOICE AWARD (OVER 40′)

DENIUM HUNTER

Written by Emilio Di Stefano, Paolo Iskra, Fabian Sigurd
Directed by Emilio Di Stefano
Produced by Paul Blomgren, Daniéla Frykstrand (AP)

—————

PROGRAMMER’S CHOICE AWARD

M

Written by Vardan Tozija and Darijan Pejovski
Directed by Vardan Tozija
Produced by Darko Popov and Vardan Tozija

DWF:LA 2023| Complete Winners List

Los Angeles, Calif. – (July 6, 2023) – Dances With Films, aka DWF:LA, ended year 26 with a bang just in time for the 4th of July. The film festival, based at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre, celebrates the best of the best in independent film, highlights social justice, and celebrates inclusivity and diversity. It ran this year from June 22-July 2. 2023’s complete winner’s list can be found below.

DOWNBEAT AUDIENCE AWARD

INTERRACIAL COUPLE IN A CHEERIOS AD

written by Yuriy Mikhalevskiy & David Roth
directed by Christine Lakin
produced by Brian Etting, David Roth & Yuriy Mikhalevskiy

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DANCES WITH KIDZ PRO AUDIENCE AWARD

OLD MAN AT THE CORNER STORE

written by Nadav Heyman
directed by Nadav Heyman & Anabella Casanova
produced by Cheryl Mann, Collin del Cuore

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WEB PILOTS AUDIENCE AWARD

WHAT THE ELF?

written by Cameron Kelly
directed by Tate Hanyok
produced by Amanda Markowitz, Caden Douglas & Michael Lomenda

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TV PILOTS AUDIENCE AWARD

BLACK MARIA

written by Marcus W. Albino
story by Marcus W. Albino & Barbara Estelle DeJesus
directed by Marcus W. Albino
executive produced by Brad Frizzell & Marcus W. Albino
co-executive produced by Casey Merrill
produced by Brad Frizzell
co-produced by Barbara Estelle DeJesus, Amy Werges & Justin Arbabi

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DOC SHORT AUDIENCE AWARD

LIVING WHILE AMERICAN

directed by Sosena Solomon
produced by Luke Slattery & Howard Tomb

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DOC FEATURE AUDIENCE AWARD

MEET ME WHERE I AM

directed by Grant Garry
produced by Stacy Roque, Lisa Kauls & Sharolyn Schmiederer
edited by James Slaven

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FUSION SHORT AUDIENCE AWARD

CONFESSIONS

written & directed by Stephanie Kaznocha
produced by C.E. Horton, Caroline Huber, Stephanie Kaznocha

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FUSION FEATURE AUDIENCE AWARD

KATIE’S MOM

written by Meryl Branch-McTiernan & Tyrrell Shaffner
directed by Tyrrell Shaffner
produced by Tyrrell Shaffner, Meryl Branch-McTiernan & Corey Moss

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COMP SHORT AUDIENCE AWARD

A WEDDING DAY

written & directed by Brendan Beachman
produced by Brendan Beachman, Colin Arndt, Douglas Riggs & Todd Sandler

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COMP FEATURE AUDIENCE AWARD

TWO LIVES IN PITTSBURGH

written & directed by Brian Silverman
produced by Lola Noh, Tiffany Murray & Brian Silverman

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INDUSTRY CHOICE AWARDS – UNDER 40 MINUTES

HOME

written by A.J. Edwards
directed by Stephen Robinson
produced by Eric Pham, Kris Pham

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INDUSTRY CHOICE AWARDS – OVER 40 MINUTES

FOREVER NOW

written & directed by Henk Pretorius
story by Henk Pretorius, Jennifer Nicole Stang & Greg Blyth
produced by Llewelynn Greeff, Barend Kruger

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GRAND JURY SHORT

SPEAK UP BROTHA!

written by Roderick Lawrence, Obbie West & James J. Johnson
directed by Wes Andre Goodrich
produced by Salma Qarnain & Roderick Lawrence
executive produced by Ron Gillyard, Will Campbell, Ike Mbanefo, Obbie West & Cameron Carr

Two Honorable Mentions:

HOW IT GOES

written & directed by Ryan Espinosa
produced by Henry Baime, Ryan Espinosa, Douglas Renison & Asia Bonetto

REUNION

written by Tim Naylor & Zainab Jah
directed by Zainab Jah & Tim Naylor
produced by Djaka Souaré

Grand Jury Special Recognition for Cinematography – A WEDDING DAY

Grand Jury Special Recognition for Personal Storytelling – ROSEMARY A.D. (AFTER DAD)

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GRAND JURY FEATURE
ANGIE’S CURE
written by Brian P Kelsey, Lanett Tachel & Corey Grant
directed by Corey Grant
produced by Lanett Tachel (p.g.a) & Corey Grant. (p.g.a), Audrey Kendrick (p.g.a) & James Searles

Honorable Mention:
FOREVER NOW
written & directed by Henk Pretorius
story by Henk Pretorius, Jennifer Nicole Stang & Greg Blyth
produced by Llewelynn Greeff, Barend Kruger

About Dances With Films

The uniquely inspired DANCES WITH FILMS launched in 1998, answering the indie film community’s call to recognize films that were actually independent. What started out as a handful of films 26 years ago, has grown into a bi-coastal platform, curating thousands of submissions each year and providing the coveted first stop for top discoveries. Known for its integrity in its selection process, dedication to diversity in programming, and its fun summer camp vibe for filmmakers, DWF:LA is the main event in Los Angeles and is one of the largest film festivals of its kind in the U.S. Branded early on by the media as “the defiant fest of raw talent,” DANCES WITH FILMS continues to champion innovation, talent, creativity and the sweat equity that revolutionized the entertainment industry.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LA’s DANCES WITH FILMS Celebrates 26 Years of Dynamic and Inspiring Storytelling
June 22-July 2 at the TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood

***

Los Angeles, Calif. – (June 1, 2023) – Dances With Film aka DWF:LA is about to unleash its 26th annual independent film festival from June 22-July 2 at the TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood. Always prioritizing important storytelling above all else, this year’s theme of “Peace, Love, & Celluloid” is a nod to some of its powerful programming that promotes healing, highlights social justice, and celebrates inclusivity and diversity.

Festival Founders Leslee Scallon, Michael Trent state “Looking toward our next quarter century, with a 26th Annual slate highlighting more than 100 world premieres, we are proud to present a line up of diverse voices that not only deliver new levels of entertainment and unique stories but focus on local and global social issues that impact everyone on our planet. DANCES WITH FILMS has always been about true discovery, this year we challenge audiences to discover something about themselves.”

The festival will open with the World Premiere of Good Side of Bad, a powerful drama based on the award winning novel of the same name by Beverly Olevin. Directed by Alethea Root and starring Jules Bruff (Zodiac), Lexi Simonsen (S.W.A.T.), (Alex Quijano (High School Musical: The Series) and Academy Award Nominee Tess Harper (Crimes of the Heart, No Country For Old Men), the film depicts a raw and intimate look into what it means to be a family navigating the waters of mental illness. Closing out the festival is Home Free by first time director Aaron Brown and writer Lenny Barszap, a social impact Trojan horse disguised as a coming-of-age college comedy with a focus on homelessness.

To celebrate strong female voices in film, Dances With Films has curated a slate of features written, directed by and starring females. The world premiere of 7000 Miles, directed by Amy Glazer stars Wendie Malick (Hot In Cleveland), Emmy Award Winner Juliet Mills (The Rare Breed, Passions), Maxwell Caulfield (Grease 2, Empire Records) and Ray Abruzzo (The Sopranos). Hot new supernatural thriller The Unseen, written and produced by neurodiverse filmmaker Jennifer Goodman under her banner Lakefront Pictures, also stars in the film alongside R.J. Mitte (Breaking Bad). Katie’s Mom, by first time female director Tyrrell Shaffner, a comedy inspired by The Graduate, stars Dina Meyer (Starship Troopers, Saw) and Aaron Dominguez (Only Murders In the Building). Escaping Ohio, a coming of age drama written, directed, produced and starring Jessica Michael Davis features Emily Bergl (The Rage: Carrie 2) and Adam Pascal (Rent).

Speaking of Broadway’s iconic show Rent, documentary Meet Me Where I Am directed by Grant Garry, explores the topic of grief through individual stories of loss, love and hope and features Anthony Rapp (Rent) and John Farley, brother of late comedian Chris Farley. Other documentary highlights include Hollywood’s Finest, directed by Claire Collins and produced by the Los Angeles Times, gives a searing, unflinching and raw portrait of a young female addict struggling to survive on the streets, get help, and get clean in order to provide for her newborn baby. Her nomadic mom, and social worker Leslie offer emotional support and guidance to attain housing, but ultimately McKenzie’s demons get the best of her. The film offers a hard look at homelessness and housing insecurity in LA. Mama! Is a powerful documentary by first time filmmaker Sofia Drai that highlights the wrongful deaths of 3 young black men at the hands of police. The film focuses on the mothers, and families that are left behind to deal with the unbearable and senseless loss. It takes a village rings true here, and these mothers come together to fight for social justice and reform.

Short films include comedy Chicken, starring world famous magician Criss Angel and comedian Courtney Karwal. Animus, the story of a Nobel Prize-winning physicist suspected of murdering three husbands, stars Angela Sarafyan (The Twilight Saga, Westworld) and Nancy Travis (Three Men and a Baby, The Bill Engvall Show).

Dances with Films prides itself on celebrating inclusivity, diversity and different and unique perspectives on social issues. Additional titles dealing with important issues include Daruma, which features disabled leads and is the recipient of the Project ReFrame stamp of approval from Women in Film and The Sundance Institute. Baldy For The Blind, is an inspiring story of a group of blind hikers as they attempt to summit Mount Baldy, the most dangerous mountain in LA County towering at over 10,000 feet. The Monks, a heartbreaking documentary detailing Russian attacks on killings on peaceful religious individuals in Ukraine, was shot on location at a Ukrainian Orthodox Monastery.

You can check out the entire film slate on the Dances With Films Website and follow @danceswithfilms on Instagram.
About Dances With Films
The uniquely inspired DANCES WITH FILMS launched in 1998, answering the indie film community’s call to recognize films that were actually independent. What started out as a handful of films 26 years ago, has grown into a bi-coastal platform, curating thousands of submissions each year and providing the coveted first stop for top discoveries. Known for its integrity in its selection process, dedication to diversity in programming, and its fun summer camp vibe for filmmakers, DWF:LA is the main event in Los Angeles and is one of the largest film festivals of its kind in the U.S. Branded early on by the media as “the defiant fest of raw talent,” DANCES WITH FILMS continues to champion innovation, talent, creativity and the sweat equity that revolutionized the entertainment industry.

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L.A.’S DANCES WITH FILMS CELEBRATES 25 YEARS
“THE WALK” TO OPEN FESTIVAL ON JUNE 9
@ THE TCL CHINESE THEATER IN HOLLYWOOD

Los Angeles, Calif. – (May 5, 2022) –The most defiantly independent film festival, DANCES WITH FILMS (DWF:LA), is celebrating 25 years of championing innovation, talent and creativity with a 2022 lineup that founders Leslee Scallon and Michael Trent declare is “the most dynamic and diverse we’ve ever seen.” The Los Angeles-based indie film event will take place at the TCL Chinese Theater from June 9-19.

The festival will kick off opening night with THE WALK, directed by Daniel Adams and starring Terrence Howard, Jeremy Piven, Malcolm McDowell and Justin Chatwin, a powerful story based on true events about Boston’s 1974 desegregation busing.

Additional titles include ASHGROVE, a pandemic era film starring Amanda Brugel (The Handmaid’s Tale), THE LATIN FROM MANHATTAN, which follows the wild life of adult film icon Vanessa Del Rio, starring Shane West, Jesse Metcalfe, Taryn Manning, Esai Morales, Drea de Matteo and Michael Madsen. Documentary selection WE PAID LET US IN! chronicles the inspiring journey of Chicago rhyme duo, Abstract Mindstate, who reunited after a 16-year hiatus when Kanye West signed them to his newly launched record imprint in 2021. WE PAID LET US IN! also features Common, Coodie & Chike, and Deon Cole. HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE A PROBLEM? traces the phenomenon of othering in America, how marginalized groups of people are mistreated in a nation that allegedly cares about justice and equality, and features Ed Asner, Danny Glover, Henry Rollins and music by Jackson Browne. Closing out the festival is thriller GHOSTWRITTEN starring Jay Duplass and Maria Ditzia.

Dances With Films, who champions diversity and inclusion has chosen to close the festival on Juneteenth to further shed light on this important legal holiday. Topics highlighted throughout programming include women’s rights, segregation, homelessness, mental health, refugee stories, and sexual abuse.

Festival Founders Leslee Scallon, Michael Trent and Producing Partner Jackie Tepper state “25 years is no small feat in Hollywood, and Dances With Films continues to be about new voices, and new perspectives that help transform the way people see the world through the visual medium. We have always provided a safe space for emerging filmmakers to enhance awareness and understanding of the world through their art. The impact of filmmaking in terms of creating change is undeniable, and DWF:LA is proud to be a part of that.”

In addition to the film screenings, Dances With Films will also host a series of panels and performances. Previous panelists include Academy Award nominated DUNE Producer Cale Boyter, Director Paul Greengrass, Producer Michael London, Lord of The Rings Executive Producer Mark Ordesky, President of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences and Casting Director David Rubin, and more.

The 2022 Dances With Films Festival is sponsored by PRG, Simple DCP, Filmmaker Magazine, Fandor, Lucas Bols, The Loews Hotel Hollywood and Josh Cellars.

“DREAMOVER” AND “ENOUGH” TAKE GRAND JURY AWARDS
AT 24TH ANNUAL DANCES WITH FILMS

Los Angeles, CA – Monday, September 13, 2021 – For their 24th straight year, acclaimed festival Dances with Films (DWF:LA) returned with a bang to in-person screenings again (with their theme of ‘Let’s Get Physical’) with an impressive list of films, new panels and categories added, and exciting guest honorees which concluded Sunday night, September 12th, with their closing night celebration and awards presentation at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.

Expanding to three weeks for 2021, DWF:LA showcased 40 Narrative Features, 100 Narrative Shorts, 31 Documentaries, 30 Midnight films, 26 Downbeat titles, 27 pilots, and 23 titles in the category of Dances with Kids. DWF:LA also debuted their “The First Films” speaker series which honored producer Michael London (with moderator John McNamara) for a conversation surrounding his incredible rise in the film industry and a screening of his film Trumbo, starring DWF:LA alumni Bryan Cranston. Oscar-nominated Director Paul Greengrass (with moderator Lloyd Levin) gave a virtual Q&A from London on the 20th anniversary of 9/11 followed by a screening of his Oscar nominated film United 93. Additional panels at this year’s festival included the following subjects: Diversity & Inclusion, Distribution & Financing, Casting, and Television Pilots.

Excited to be back in person this year, the team behind DWF:LA said “the feeling was absolutely palpable in each screening and the theatre itself. It is clear how much people miss going to the movies… Let alone movies where they will have ‘discovered’ new voices, authenticity in vision and films that you won’t be seeing next week at the multiplex. Team DANCES WITH FILMS created a unique and inviting atmosphere where connections were made among old friends as well as sparking lasting new relationships for projects yet to be envisioned. We are blessed to have had an amazing fest run this year and are thrilled to be looking to year 25 in 2022!”

Here is a list of this year’s 2021 DWF:LA award winners…..

GRAND JURY AWARD for Features

DREAMOVER

written & directed by Roman Olkhovka
produced by: Nikita Yefimov

HONORABLE MENTIONS: MY FIONA & NEW YEAR

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GRAND JURY AWARD for Shorts

ENOUGH

written by Caleb Slain & Nathan Nzanga
directed by Caleb Slain
produced by Max Losee, Ethan Seneker, Rick Stevenson, Hope Alexander, Jennette Vasiljevic, La’ Charles Trask, Caleb Slain

HONORABLE MENTIONS: LIMINAL & OVER MY DEAD BODY

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INDUSTRY CHOICE AWARD – over 40’

VOODOO MACBETH

written by Agazi Desta, Jennifer Frazin, Morgan Milender, Molly Miller, Amri Rigby,
Joel David Santner, Erica Sutherlin, Chris Tarricone
directed by Dagmawi Abebe, Victor Alonso-Berbel, Roy Arwas, Hannah Bang, Christopher Beaton,
Agazi Desta, Tiffany Kontoyiannis Guillen, Zoe Salnave, Ernesto Sandoval, Sabina Vajraca
produced by Jason Phillips, Miles Alva, Xiaoyuan Xiao

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INDUSTRY CHOICE AWARD – under 40’

PANT HOOT

directed & produced by Richard Reens
executive producers: Barbara Hollweg, Lewis Hollweg

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AUDIENCE AWARD – COMPETITION FEATURES

BENEATH THE BANYAN TREE

written & directed by Nani Li Yang
produced by Nani Li Yang, Troy Chiu, Yue Wang

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AUDIENCE AWARD – COMPETITION SHORTS

OH, BABY!

written by Brooke Trantor, Kate Morgan Chadwick
directed by Brooke Trantor
executive produced by Kate Morgan Chadwick, Roxanna Dunlop, Arden Grier, Marlo McGriff, Nick Pukstas, & Joey Oliva
produced by Brooke Trantor, Danielle Argyros, Courtney Stewart, Clayton Apgar, David & Michele Chadwick, Annie & Chobe Oliva, Tim Wright

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AUDIENCE AWARD – FUSION FEATURES

DELICATE STATE

written, directed & produced by Paula Rhodes

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AUDIENCE AWARD – FUSION SHORTS

SNAKE DICK

written & directed by David Mahmoudieh
produced by George Lako, Annalea Fiachi, Josh Bachove

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AUDIENCE AWARD – DOCUMENTARY FEATURES

HOLY FRIT

written by Justin Monroe & Ryan Fritzsche
directed by Justin Monroe
produced by Justin Monroe, Chris Saito, Kasey Monroe

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AUDIENCE AWARD – DOCUMENTARY SHORTS

SKID ROW, LOS ANGELES

written & directed by Van Maximilian Carlson
produced by Van Maximilian Carlson, Kirk Palayan

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AUDIENCE AWARD – PILOTS TV

MIDDLE OF NOWHERE

written & directed by Michele Palermo
executive produced by Paul Prissel & Michele Palermo
produced by Larry Gilbert & Lolly Howe associate producer Susie Kim

______________________________________________

AUDIENCE AWARD – PILOTS WEB

SPANKY

written & directed by Alex Martinez
produced by Spencer Valenzuela, Kirk Leins, Sundee Manusakis, Tanmay Mistry, Alex Martinez

______________________________________________

AUDIENCE AWARD – DOWNBEAT

DESOLVIDO

written & directed by Andrés Roa Ariza
produced by Colin Rogero & Andrés Roa Ariza

______________________________________________

AUDIENCE AWARD – DANCES WITH KIDZ PRO

FROM UNDER THE BRIDGE: WHEN BULLIES BECOME TROLLS

written & directed by Paul James Houghton
produced by Connie Jo Sechrist & Lucas Ferrara

This year’s in-person festival ran from August 26 – September 12 at the TCL Chinese Theaters, located at: Hollywood & Highland, 6925 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028.

Recently selected by USA Today as one of the top 10 film festivals in North America, the dedicated team behind DWF:LA are constantly looking for the best in emerging talent with unique visions and storytelling. DWF:LA is one of the largest festivals of its kind in the United States and remains dedicated to creating opportunities and launching careers of exceptionally talented artists based on their talent alone. DWF:LA has cultivated a vibrant community of loyal filmmakers and alumni which includes such notables such as: Bryan Cranston (2000); Gina Rodriguez (2010); Jesse Eisenberg (2007); Ellen Pompeo (2003); Ryan Eggold (2010) and John Hawkes (2003) – are just a handful of examples of DWF: LA’s family. In a world of homogenized, formulaic film festivals, DWF continues to defy the rules.

Dances With Films Closing Night
& Live Virtual Awards Ceremony

Dances with Films, celebrating its 23^rd year, closed their eleven day festival with a musical performance by The Matches (depicted in the Documentary Bleeding Audio) and a virtual awards ceremony hosted by festival founders Leslee Scallon and Michael Trent. In keeping with unique interactive elements that DWF:LA incorporated including lounges, red carpets and even a lobby, the live online awards ceremony honored Indie Films in each of the various categories.

The closing night film, BEFORE/DURING/AFTER, written by and starring Finnerty Steeves (Orange is the New Black); an inspiring and relatable story of a middle-aged woman coping with a divorce and featuring many familiar faces including Richard Masur, Kristine Sutherland and Austin Pendleton, won the Industry Choice Award (ICA) for films over 40 minutes. Additionally, the filmmaker landed a meeting with one of the judges Grace Royer, Indie Packaging Agent at UTA, Gerren Crochet, Associate at Endeavor Content and Scott Shooman, Vice President of Content and Partnerships at Endeavor Content.

SYML – Everything All at Once, won the ICA for films under 40 minutes as well as a meeting with one of the judges Ruth Vitale, CEO of Creative Future, John Von Thaden, Sr. Vice President of Magnolia Acquisition and Jon Silk, Executive Vice President at Legendary Entertainment.

Below is the complete list of winners:

Grand Jury WINNER Feature Film: PAINT
Grand Jury Honorable Mention Feature Film: TAKE OUT GIRL

Grand Jury Competition Short film Winner: THE FOREIGNER
Grand Jury Honorable Mention Short Film: THE WAY THAT I TAKE

Industry Choice Award over 40 minutes: before/during/after (closing night film)
Industry Choice Award under 40 minutes: SYML – EVERYTHING ALL AT ONCE

Audience Award Competition Feature: DON’T READ THIS ON A PLANE
Audience Award Competition Short: NUMBER 2

Audience Award for Fusion Feature: HOLLYWOOD FRINGE
Audience Award for Fusion Short: DO YOU HAVE A…?

Audience Award for Feature Documentary: BLEEDING AUDIO
Audience Award for Documentary Short: AND THE BRAVE SHALL RISE

Audience Award for TV Pilot: IT’S A TIE: BABY STEPS & SEVERANCE

Audience Award for Web Pilot: HEART BABY EGGPLANT

Audience Award for Dances With Kidz Pro: THE TERRIBLE ADVENTURE

Audience Award winner for Downbeat: SHE

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DWF: LA 23rd Annual Festival Announces
2020 Film Slate and Virtual Event Schedule

**Dances with Films Waltzes Into New Territory with a Live Virtual Film Festival August 27th-September 6th**

DWF:LA (Dances with Films), the vibrantly independent film festival, announced today it’s going virtual. The 2020 lineup contains over 200 titles including narrative features, documentaries, pilots, web series, music videos, short films and films by young people. The entire festival, running Thursday August 27^th through Sunday September 6^th, will be in real time, allowing unique interactive experiences including a virtual red carpet, lounges with trivia nights and signature cocktails, panel discussions, Q&A’s and so much more.

The altered reality the world is living in right now brings an exciting change to its usual way of conducting the 23 year old festival, which normally is hosted at the world famous Chinese Theatres in Hollywood. Instead, the Festival will bring its unique brand of discovery films to the World Wide Web. Filmmakers and film lovers from all over the world will be able to connect as never before to watch and discuss (live!) these curated gems.

PAPER SPIDERS opens the festival on August 27^th, starring award winning actress Lili Taylor, Stefania LaVie Owen, Peyton List and Max Casella. The film is directed by Inon Shampanier, and written by Shampanier and Natalie Shampanier. PAPER SPIDERS is a timely and bittersweet coming of age mother/daughter story that centers on the challenges of mental illness. The screening is followed by a virtual panel discussion with the cast, crew and others to bring consciousness to the vast mental health issues the U.S. faces.

BEFORE/DURING/AFTER, directed by Stephen Kunken and Jack Lewars and written by and starring Finnerty Steeves (Orange is the New Black), closes the festival on September 6^th.Featuring many familiar faces including Richard Masur, Kristine Sutherland and Austin Pendleton, it’s an inspiring and relatable story of a middle-aged woman coping with a divorce.

More information will be coming soon to the brand new website dwfla.com, including the DWF:LA lineup of film titles, schedules, ticket information and fun surprises.

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JANE FLEMING AND EFFIE BROWN JOIN BOARD OF NEWLY BRANDED DWF-LA AS DANCES WITH FILMS FESTIVAL EXPANDS INTO ITS 23RD YEAR IN LOS ANGELES

Los Angeles, CA (25 September, 2019) Producer and President Emeritus of Women In Film, JANE FLEMING, and EFFIE BROWN, prolific and award-winning producer of DEAR WHITE PEOPLE and REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES, have joined the board of advisors of the freshly minted DWF-LA, also known for the last 22 years and counting as DANCES WITH FILMS – the largest independent filmmaker discovery festival in Los Angeles, with over 22,000 attendees per year.

Ms. Fleming and Ms. Brown are honored to join DWF-LA, which is entering a strong growth phase as the premiere festival destination for filmmakers and buyers, held annually in June at the famed TCL Chinese Theatres in Hollywood.

Festival co-founder Leslee Scallon elaborates, “Jane and Effie have both been leaders for many years in breaking the glass ceiling and are not only outstanding examples as producers, but leaders in their field. With Jane and Effie, and all on our Advisory Board, this next expansion of DWF will raise the profile of our filmmakers, providing access to the next generation of creatives for future collaborations.”

Co-founder Michael Trent agrees, “With our next developments including the newest, DWF: UNLEASHED!, which will feature films with name talent, we know that the time is right as more and more alumni with larger budgets return ‘home’ to DWF each year. This growing expansion does not mean a divergence from our core mission. Our competition programming will remain steadfastly focused on emerging and unknown talent. ‘UNLEASHED!’ will enhance what’s already there, providing a stage in Los Angeles for filmmakers who have stars in their films.”

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2019 DANCES WITH FILMS ANNOUNCES AWARD WINNERS AT CLOSING CEREMONY

And the winners are….

ICA | INDUSTRY CHOICE AWARD OVER 40 MIN:
LAST SUNRISE
Written By Wen Ren, Elly Li, Yankang Mei and Min Yu
Directed by Wen Ren
Produced by Xinran Li, Mingqian Li, Yang Lu and Elly Li

ICA | INDUSTRY CHOICE AWARD UNDER 40 MIN:
WANDA
Written & Directed by Benjamin Nicolas
Produced by Inna Pan, Philippe Lalande and Benjamin Nicolas

PROGRAMMER’S CHOICE
BLOWING UP RIGHT NOW
Written by Chris Lee Hill
Directed by Tom Morris
Produced by Jaz Kalkat, Aaron Webman, Tyler MacIntyre, Tom Morris and Chris Lee Hill
Executive Produced by Jonathan Lonsdale, Johnny Kuebelka, Natalie Oman, Neal Barta and John Giordano
Associate Produced by Rashaana Shah, Travis Hodgkins

DANCES WITH KIDZ By Pros AUDIENCE AWARD
THE BOY, THE DOG AND THE CLOWN
Written & Produced by Ron Peer, Nick Lyon
Directed by Nick Lyon

OVERALL AUDIENCE AWARD | FEST SHORT:
SUICIDE DATE
Written & Directed By Doug Hurley
Produced By Mike C. Nelson

AUDIENCE AWARD | COMPETITION FEATURE:
WADE IN THE WATER
Written by Chris Retts
Directed by Mark Wilson
Produced by Chris Retts, Mark Wilson

AUDIENCE AWARD | COMPETITION SHORT:
DEMAND CURVE
Written & Directed by The Bragg Brothers
Produced by Teddy Sylte, Victoria Hill and Executive Produced by Matt Edwards, Patrick Reasonover and Jon Gann

AUDIENCE AWARD | DOCUMENTARY FEATURE:
THE EARTHING MOVIE
Written, Directed & Produced by Josh and Rebecca Tickell
Featuring Mariel Hemingway, Amy Smart, Deepak Chopra, MD

AUDIENCE AWARD | DOCUMENTARY SHORT:
SONG OF THE OPEN ROAD:
THE STORY OF THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA YOUTH CHORALE
Directed By Melissa Dowler
Produced By Victoria Rhodes, Melissa Dowler and Tom Dowler
Executive Produced By EXEC PRODS: Victoria Rhodes, James Drollinger and Terry William Hamilton

AUDIENCE AWARD | FUSION FEATURE:
THE SYMPATHY CARD
Written & Directed by Brendan Boogie
Produced By Petey J. Gibson, Brendan Boogie and Phil Healy

AUDIENCE AWARD | FUSION SHORT:
SUICIDE DATE
Written & Directed By Doug Hurley
Produced By Mike C. Nelson

AUDIENCE AWARD | DOWNBEAT MUSIC VIDEO:
DANCE WITH DEATH
Written & Directed by John Fairchild
Produced By Astor Stark

AUDIENCE AWARD – TV PILOTS:
VICARIOUS
Written By Jeffrey Nicholas Brown, Scott Speiser
Directed By Mandy Fabian
Produced By Prarthana Joshi, Jeffrey Nicholas Brown, Scott Speiser, Mary Brown and Don Gold

AUDIENCE AWARD – WEB SERIES:
ONE TRUE LOVES
Written & Directed by Olivia Accardo
Produced By Will Mason, Andrea Massaro and Kristen Politis

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DANCES WITH FILMS COMES OF AGE AT 21 YEARS WITH A BIGGER, BADDER AND BOLDER LINEUP OF VIBRANTLY INDEPENDENT FILMS

The unstoppable festival, for over two decades a champion of independent filmmakers, takes reign over the TCL Chinese Theaters June 7-17 with more than 100 world premieres and nearly 40 west coast premieres as they announce the selections for it’s 21st annual slate. Dances With Pilots (TV & Web) and Dances With Kidz! (films made for kids and BY kids) will be released next week.

LOS ANGELES, CA (May 10, 2018) – The fiercely independent film festival Dances With Films (DWF) announced today its 2018 lineup of narrative and documentary features and short films for its 21^st annual edition. Opening the festival on June 7 is the DWF alumni driven drama directed by William Dickerson, NO ALTERNATIVE in its World Premiere starring Kathryn Erbe, Michaela Cavazos, Conor Proft, Chloe Levine and Harry Hamlin. THE BEST PEOPLE, a comedy written and produced by Selina Ringel and directed by Dan Levy Dagerman, closes the festival with its DWF premiere on June 17. Tickets and passes will be available for sale May 18^that http://www.tclchinesetheatres.com/or thru the festival’s own site: https://danceswithfilms.com. A complete listing of additional films and screenings are also listed on the festival website.

The festival, proving itself to be unstoppable after 21 consecutive years, is widely recognized as the premiere showcase of innovative independent cinema in the U.S., presenting amazing, undiscovered talent to an industry audience in Hollywood. DWF will run June 7-17, 2018 in Los Angeles, CA at the TCL Chinese Theaters, located at: Hollywood & Highland, 6801 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028.

“We consider ourselves a true festival of discovery,” said festival co-founders Leslee Scallon and Michael Trent. “We have always been progressive and have always looked to the future for our inspiration. Turning 21 is a milestone to us. In every other culture there is a ‘rites of passage’, but in the U.S., it’s turning 21. We have thrived, transitioned and evolved along the way. DWF is unique in the fact that we are not a celebrity-driven festival. Everyone in the festival has to bring their A-game.”

The final lineup will feature more than 200 titles, chosen from a record 2,200 submissions from all over the globe. The juried narrative competition section includes 16 features and more than three-dozen shorts. DWF also has a category for groundbreaking short and feature documentaries, provocative genre fare in the Midnight section, and the most exciting music videos and dance-themed films from the indie scene in the Downbeats section. The Fusion section brings together a multitude of additional features and shorts.

Notable Dances With Films alumni who first gained notice at the festival include: Gina Rodriguez, Bryan Cranston, Will Scheffer, Mark V. Olsen, Jesse Eisenberg, Mike Flanagan, and John Hawkes, among many others.

About Dances With Films

In 1998 DWF began as a film festival dedicated to finding tomorrow’s talent today and continues to carry on this mission today. With many World and West Coast Premieres, DWF provides a coveted first stop on the festival circuit. With a vast number of submissions, the selection process is based solely on merit and discoverability. DWF continues its dedication to and is a devoted champion of fresh and creative voices, mandating that all competitive films have no known actors, writers, directors, or producers. For the past 20 years, DWF has proudly provided access and opportunity to thousands of films and filmmakers from across the globe that diligently work year after year to see their dreams realized. With more than 12,000+ festival attendees and 2.5 million impressions per month on www.danceswithfilms.com, DWF is loyal and dedicated to the indie filmmaker and is considered their champion in Hollywood.

DWF’s Advisory Board includes: Steve Tisch, Cindy Cowan, Jonathan Dana, Steve Elzer, Kevin Kasha, Eriq La Salle, Michael Lehmann, Mike Macari, Valerie McCaffrey, Mark V. Olsen, Joel Ordesky, Mark Ordesky, Melissa Orlen, Will Scheffer, Hilton Smith, David Spiegelman, and Steve Wegner.

LOS ANGELES, CA (May 10, 2018) – The fiercely independent film festival Dances With Films (DWF) announced today its 2018 lineup of narrative and documentary features and short films for its 21^st annual edition. Opening the festival on June 7 is the DWF alumni driven drama directed by William Dickerson, NO ALTERNATIVE in its World Premiere starring Michaela Cavazos, Conor Proft, Chloe Levine and Harry Hamlin. THE BEST PEOPLE, a comedy written and produced by Selina Ringel and directed by Dan Levy Dagerman (do we need other credits?), closes the festival with its DWF premiere on June 17. Tickets and passes will be available for sale May 18th at http://www.tclchinesetheatres.com/or thru the festival’s own site: https://danceswithfilms.com.

The festival, proving itself to be unstoppable after 21 consecutive years, is widely recognized as the premiere showcase of innovative independent cinema in the U.S., presenting amazing, undiscovered talent to an industry audience in Hollywood. DWF will run June 7-17, 2018 in Los Angeles, CA at the TCL Chinese Theaters, located at: Hollywood & Highland, 6801 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028.

“We consider ourselves a true festival of discovery,” said festival co-founders Leslee Scallon and Michael Trent. “We have always been progressive and always looking to the future. Turning 21 is a milestone to us, in every other culture there is a ‘rites of passage’, but in the U.S., it’s turning 21! We have thrived, transitioned and have evolved along the way. We are also unique in the fact that we are not a celebrity-driven festival. Everyone in the festival has to bring their A-game.”

The final lineup will feature more than 200 titles, chosen from a record 2,200 submissions from all over the globe. The juried narrative competition section includes 16 features and more three-dozen shorts. DWF also has a category for groundbreaking short and feature documentaries, provocative genre fare in the Midnight section, and the most exciting music videos and dance-themed films from the indie scene in the Downbeats section. The Fusion section brings together a multitude of additional features and shorts.

Notable Dances With Films alumni who first gained notice at the festival include: Gina Rodriguez, Bryan Cranston, Will Scheffer, Mark V. Olsen, Jesse Eisenberg, Mike Flanagan, and John Hawkes, among many others.

About Dances With Films

In 1998 DWF began as a film festival dedicated to finding tomorrow’s talent today and continues to carry on this mission today. With many World and West Coast Premieres, DWF provides a coveted first stop on the festival circuit. With a vast number of submissions, the selection process is based solely on merit and discoverability. DWF continues its dedication to and is a devoted champion of fresh and creative voices, mandating that all competitive films have no known actors, writers, directors, or producers. For the past 20 years, DWF has proudly provided access and opportunity to thousands of films and filmmakers from across the globe that diligently work year after year to see their dreams realized. With more than 12,000+ festival attendees and 2.5 million impressions per month on www.danceswithfilms.com, DWF is loyal and dedicated to the indie filmmaker and is considered their champion in Hollywood.

DWF’s Advisory Board includes: Steve Tisch, Cindy Cowan, Jonathan Dana, Steve Elzer, Kevin Kasha, Eriq La Salle, Michael Lehmann, Mike Macari, Valerie McCaffrey, Mark V. Olsen, Joel Ordesky, Mark Ordesky, Melissa Orlen, Will Scheffer, Hilton Smith, David Spiegelman, and Steve Wegner.

Media Contact:

LEGACY MEDIA RELATIONS

818-512-1282

TheLegacyMR@gmail.com

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DANCES WITH FILMS ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL LINEUPS:
DANCES WITH PILOTS AND DANCES WITH KIDZ!

Adding to its previously announced lineup of features and shorts, the unstoppable DANCES WITH FILMS rings in its 20^th year with the hottest new TV and web pilots in DANCES WITH PILOTS. Their popular DANCES WITH KIDZ! program presents films BY kids and FOR kids.

LOS ANGELES, CA (May 25, 2017) – Now in its 20^th year, DANCES WITH FILMS (DWF) announces its lineup for DANCES WITH PILOTS, a division that features the hottest new television and web pilots, and DANCES WITH KIDZ!, which screens films by and for kids, staking its claim as the unstoppable fest for truly independent content makers. As previously announced, DWF will run June 1-11, 2017 in Los Angeles, CA at the TCL Chinese Theaters, located at: Hollywood & Highland, 6801 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028. Tickets and passes are available for sale at http://www.tclchinesetheatres.com/ or thru the festival’s own site: https://danceswithfilms.com.

Recognizing that some of the hottest content these days is in the web and television space, DANCES WITH FILMS is offering an exciting lineup of eight web and ten television pilots in its DANCES WITH PILOTS division. With episodes ranging from the hilarious (see: Cubicle Zombies) to the absurd (Doucheaholics), to the sexy (Sexpectations), to the suspenseful (Doomsday), this is some of the most creative and wild programming you’ll see on the DWF lineup.

Although the family film market is one of the most profitable in the industry, there are relatively few opportunities for independent projects in this genre to screen. DWF addresses this inadequacy by providing a platform for the next generation of media visionaries. The festival’s popular and unique DANCES WITH KIDZ! program is back for its fourth year of family-friendly films, with 28 of the 34 short films in the lineup created by kids under the age of 18. Films this year explore themes as diverse as friendship, growing up in the 90’s, and space exploration. DANCES WITH KIDZ! will rock the Chinese Theaters on the second weekend of DWF.

A three-time alumna of the DANCES WITH KIDZ! division, Tara-Nicole Azarian had this to say about the experience, “I began with the inaugural year of DANCES WITH KIDZ! and I played three years, total. Each year, I was treated as a filmmaker. As an equal. As an artist with ideas worthy of sharing. I’ve played many, many festivals and all have something unique to offer, but DANCES WITH FILMS is an opportunity for growth. DWF gives you the air so you can fly higher than you thought possible. The resources, the support, the professionalism is priceless. I watched. I listened. I took advantage of everything offered to me…and this year, at age 18, I am not playing in DANCES WITH KIDZ…this year, I am playing in DANCES WITH FILMS.”

The previously announced film lineup features more than 160 titles, chosen from a record 2,100 submissions from all over the globe. The juried narrative competition section includes 16 features, 13 of which are world premieres, and nearly three-dozen shorts. DWF also has a category for groundbreaking short and feature documentaries, provocative genre fare in the Midnight section, and the most exciting music videos and dance-themed films from the indie scene in the Downbeats section. The Fusion section brings together a multitude of additional features and shorts.

Notable Dances With Films alumni who first gained notice at the festival include: Gina Rodriguez, Bryan Cranston, Will Scheffer, Mark V. Olsen, Jesse Eisenberg, Mike Flanagan, and John Hawkes, among others.

About Dances With Films

In 1998 DWF began as a film festival dedicated to finding tomorrow’s talent today and continues to carry on this mission today. With many World and West Coast Premieres, DWF provides a coveted first stop on the festival circuit. With a vast number of submissions, the selection process is based solely on merit and discoverability. DWF continues its dedication to and is a devoted champion of fresh and creative voices, mandating that all competitive films have no known actors, writers, directors, or producers. For the past 20 years, DWF has proudly provided access and opportunity to thousands of films and filmmakers from across the globe that diligently work year after year to see their dreams realized. With more than 12,000+ festival attendees and 2.5 million impressions per month on www.danceswithfilms.com, DWF is loyal and dedicated to the indie filmmaker and is considered their champion in Hollywood.

DWF’s Advisory Board includes: Steve Tisch, Cindy Cowan, Jonathan Dana, Steve Elzer, Kevin Kasha, Eriq La Salle, Michael Lehmann, Mike Macari, Valerie McCaffrey, Mark V. Olsen, Joel Ordesky, Mark Ordesky, Melissa Orlen, Will Scheffer, Hilton Smith, David Spiegelman, and Steve Wegner.

Media Contact:

Big Time PR

Sylvia Desrochers | Tiffany Wagner

Sylvia@bigtime-pr.com | Tiffany@bigtime-pr.com

424-208-3496

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LATEST PRESS LINKS:

MOVIEMAKER MAGAZINE

https://www.moviemaker.com/dances-with-films-la-2024-lineup/

BROADWAY WORLD

https://www.broadwayworld.com/atlanta/article/Dances-With-Films-LA-Announces-Film-Lineup-Including-117-World-North-American-And-US-Premieres-20240530

COMING SOON

https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/trailers/1748246-exclusive-sally-get-the-potatoes-trailer-previews-dances-with-films-short-for-kids

SELIG FILM NEWS

https://seligfilmnews.com/dances-with-films-la-announces-film-lineup-including-117-world-north-american-and-u-s-premieres/

VIMOOZ

https://www.vimooz.com/2024/05/31/27th-dances-with-films-la-lineup-mahesh-pailoor-paper-flowers/

ENTERTAINMENT AND SPORTS TODAY

https://www.entertainmentandsportstoday.com/27th-annual-dances-with-films-los-angeles-leading-independent-film-festival-june-20-30-in-hollywood/

AWARDS RADAR

https://awardsradar.com/2024/06/01/27th-annual-dances-with-films-la-announces-lineup/

VARIETY

https://variety.com/2024/film/news/film-news-in-brief-may-28-2024-1236017358/