What filmmakers think about us matters. 

Below are recent filmmaker reviews. We don’t busy ourselves worrying about what others think, much less being on the latest trending “best of” list that are more about drumming up viewership for its authors. The only thing opinions that to us are from our alumni. 

Laura Weissbecker
Laura Weissbecker

Amazing festival, the best! They have a great team who really help and advise independent filmmakers, during the festival, they organize a lot of events, conferences; also great for networking.

5 Star Review
Matthew Barber
Matthew Barber

It’s been a tremendous honor to celebrate the world premiere of our horror short film SEMPRE AVANTI at Dances With Films. DWF gave us an unforgettable world premiere. I was truly stunned by the turnout for our midnight screening which was held at the world famous TCL Chinese Theatre. As for the screening I can honestly say I’ve never seen one of my movies look and sound so good on the big screen. Thank you so much Dances With Films for this incredible experience. DWF also provides wonderful networking opportunities and excellent communication. You can truly feel their respect for filmmakers and love of cinema.

5 Star Review
Chris Cullen
Chris Cullen

This festival is the best one I have been too and I’ve been going to fests and run my own for years. What they do for my film students and high school filmmakers is incredible.

5 Star Review
Arianna Grace Goarley
Arianna Grace Goarley

Hands down, the best festival for independent filmmakers. I loved that even though I was in the Kiz event I was treated the same as the feature films. I met so many people, had constant contact with the organizers and honestly had the very best time. I can’t imagine any festival ever matching the fun that you can have at this festival – not to mention the contacts and opportunities that you have. I honestly hope I get to go back again someday. I also highly recommend staying the whole time. There are tons of talks and opportunities to meet with press and distributors if you spend time at the festival.

5 Star Review
Howard Tomb
Howard Tomb

Exceptional festival in every respect, from personal contact when our film was selected to daily updates and follow-up communication that we had won the audience award for best short doc. Every panel we attended featured experienced pros with great insights who were enthusiastic about DWF; fellow-filmmakers were talented, ambitious and happy to be there; the movies were compelling and diverse; and we met people who were there the whole week to actually buy stuff. Special thanks to the sublime Jackie Tepper. Hope to be invited back someday!

5 Star Review
Virginia Quesada
Virginia Quesada

“Dances With Films” is an AWESOME festival!!!! Their passion, dedication and integrity is evident in every aspect of this well run festival!!! Many thanks to their incredible team Michael, Leslie, Jackie, Lindsey, Kerim, Taylor, Lauren, JT, and so many others in the wonderful DWF staff!!! We are honored to now be part of the DWF family. Thank you for launching “The Humbler – Danny Gatton” into the world. I highly recommend this festival to any independent filmmaker.

5 Star Review
Brian Ríos
Brian Ríos

Amazing Festival! Best experience at a Film Festival that I’ve had with my short film “Lili.” Lindsay, Jose, Leslie, Michael, and the rest of the DWF team really did a great job of helping Filmmakers get what they need from the Festival. Recommend DWF to every independent Filmmaker I know. Thank you DWF!

5 Star Review
Cynthia Gibb
Cynthia Gibb

What an incredible, inspirational film festival! From the very first email exchange, the sincere, passionate, meticulous, and smart DWF team impressed us. The opening night red carpet was packed with press, and reporters were on hand for ongoing red carpet experiences before each screening. The films were excellent and Q&A’s engaging. As the festival progressed, we felt more and more honored to be part of the DWF film family. The organizers don’t just talk-the-talk, they walk-the-walk when they say they want you to form lasting professional relationships. The planned events varied from educational and creative to fun and celebratory. Our entire cast and crew—most of whom flew across the country to attend—felt welcomed and important. It was truly a magical week. We’ve been encouraged to stay in touch and keep the DWF team informed of our future work and successes.

5 Star Review
Brittney Bertier
Brittney Bertier

This is my favorite festival! So well run, and really organized to help filmmakers network and showcase their work. Can’t say enough good things!

5 Star Review
Lauren Bancroft
Lauren Bancroft

Dances With Films continues to be the gold standard for film festivals. Well curated, well communicated, run by a wonderful and hardworking team. Can’t wait until next year!

5 Star Review
Aleksandra Szczepanowska
Aleksandra Szczepanowska

This festival curates amazing films and talents. No film is here because of connections or money, but sheer talent. I love everyone I meet at this festival, every time. From filmmakers to industry. I now submit to fewer and fewer festivals, but always will keep this one on the roster.

5 Star Review
Fr3deR1cK Taylor
Fr3deR1cK Taylor

Love, Love, Love this film festival. I can not say enough positive things about the number one film festival in Hollywood! Dances With Films is everything!

5 Star Review
Brian Padian
Brian Padian

A+++
venue, picture, sound, communication, amazing projects. honored to screen here

5 Star Review
Henk Lambert  Pretorius
Henk Lambert Pretorius

Dances with Films was a phenomenal experience that left me in awe. From the world-class film panels featuring masters in their craft, I gleaned a wealth of knowledge and insights that have deeply enriched my own filmmaking journey. But it didn’t stop there! The festival showcased a remarkable selection of truly independent films, each with strong premises and outstanding performances that had me captivated from start to finish.

What made the experience even more extraordinary was the opportunity to connect with fellow filmmakers and forge new friendships. I am thrilled to have met like-minded creatives with whom I hope to collaborate with soon.

The founders and staff of Dances with Films demonstrated an impeccable level of expertise in organizing the event, ensuring every aspect ran seamlessly. It’s evident that their experience in the industry is vast, yet their genuine passion for the art of filmmaking remains as vibrant as ever.

Participating in this festival was nothing short of fulfilling. I am filled with gratitude for the chance to share my work and be a part of such a dynamic community. I wholeheartedly believe that this incredible experience should be embraced by many more filmmakers to come, as it truly celebrates the essence of creativity and the magic of storytelling.

5 Star Review
Amy DePaola
Amy DePaola

I absolutely loved premiering our film Tiki Bar Funeral Home with Dances With Films! The programmers are on top of communications, they are friendly and did a great job of connecting filmmakers to one another. I loved that there was opportunities to mingle with and learn from others during the festival as well. The offerings in their filmmaker lounge is not something you see at ANY other festival. Highly recommend this festival and hope to be back next year!

5 Star Review
 
 
Shannon Burkett
Shannon Burkett

DWF truly goes above and beyond to create an amazing festival for their artists and audiences!! They are committed to creating a community in a way that is just simply not done anywhere else. Their communication is EXCELLENT!!! And the facilities where the films are screened are just fantastic! I took my aspiring film maker teen son with me and I had to keep reminding him that not all film festivals are like this…that this one is truly special!

5 Star Review
 
Hernando caicedo
Hernando caicedo

I cannot wait for next years Dances with films.
From the pre-festival emails all the way through closing night, communication was amazing. The networking lounge and panel events were so fun and informative. You can tell the festival staff really care and are vested in the filmmakers. Shout out to Lindsey from the shorts programming for running a smooth program.
Crowds were awesome and packed theatre showings was such a great way to share our film with audiences. Def will be back!

5 Star Review
 
Mel House
Mel House

Thank you @danceswithfilms for including HOT ANGRY MOM in this year’s lineup! The festival staff and volunteers are kind, well-organized and fun to spend time with. They have curated outstanding diverse work and have provided space for learning, celebrating and networking. I am a huge fan of this festival and can’t recommend it enough!

5 Star Review
 
Taite Koehler
Taite Koehler

Dances With Films was such an incredible festival to be a part of! All of the networking events and screenings were amazing. The festival provided so many opportunities to connect with other filmmakers, and the organization and communication was incredibly helpful. Dances With Films was definitely the best festival I’ve been a part of so far, and seeing my short film have its world premiere at the Chinese Theatres was amazing!!

5 Star Review
 
Barry Rosenthal
Barry Rosenthal

My films have gone to many festivals around the world and DWF continues to be the best. The team is phenomenal and due to its presence in the hub of filmmaking in Hollywood, the exposure and prestige is unmatched.

5 Star Review
 
Christy St. John
Christy St. John

One of the best networking opportunities I’ve had. Great people who are all open and super supportive. My favorite part was the filmmaker lounge which offered free drinks. It was a great way to get us all in one place to network and talk shop.

5 Star Review
 
GB Hajim
GB Hajim

My team and I had a great time and felt very supported by the staff of the festival. Definitely recommend it for first time filmmakers. Probably the best fest for your first film!

5 Star Review
 
Marcus W Albino
Marcus W Albino

Dances With Films was absolutely terrific. What an incredible selection of indie pilots/features/shorts/music videos. The filmmakers we met here were some of the best we’ve ever seen, and the networking potential is unparalleled. The daily panels with industry experts/cocktails and conversations in the filmmakers lounge were very helpful for a rising filmmaker. You’ll want to attend every day of DWF. We are honored to make our World Premiere of Black Maria at the 26th Annual DWF at the historic Chinese Theatres in DTLA, to come away with the coveted Audience Award is a dream come true. Thank you to Leslee, Michael, Lindsey, and the whole DWF team for inviting us into the DWF family. We’ll surely be back again for more!

5 Star Review
 
 
Chelsea Gonzalez
Chelsea Gonzalez

One of the best festivals I’ve ever been to and my absolute favorite in LA. It is SO hard to sell out screenings at LA venues and all the screenings at this fest are always packed with people. Amazing communication. This fest is such a well oiled machine. Highly recommend!

5 Star Review
 
 
 
Christopher  Beatty
Christopher Beatty

Enjoyed the transparency with Michael Trent and the entire team at DWF. Highly organized, beautiful theaters, informative panels, all around a great experience. This is truly an independent festival geared towards independent filmmakers.
Christopher Beatty and Team Bibi

5 Star Review
 
 
Angelique Kalani Axelrode
Angelique Kalani Axelrode

DWF is incredible!! The team is really communicative and helpful, and the festival itself is an amazing opportunity to connect with other filmmakers and be inspired by other films. 10/10

5 Star Review
 
 
unpaved rodes
unpaved rodes

This was truly a Filmmakers’ film festival. The sheer passion, camaraderie, and love for film and filmmaking, shown brightly each and every night. The networking and informational events outside of the premieres were a testament to the organizers’ support for the craft and belief in it. We look forward to being involved in the festival for years to come!

5 Star Review
 
 
Sai Karan Talwar
Sai Karan Talwar

Thank you to the entire Dances with Films team for having my short film GHANIMAH play at the beautiful Chinese Theatre! The entire festival team were very accommodating and looking forward to bringing my next film there. This may be our best festival experience so far.

5 Star Review
 
 
Bar Mardix
Bar Mardix

Such a perfect festival!
the festival producers are very adorable and do everything for letting everyone fill at home and with a new family.
Best experience in the heart of the worldwide cinema – The TCL Chinese Theaters, Hollywood.

5 Star Review
 
 
Brian Silverman
Brian Silverman

Dances with Films could not have impressed me more or been more authentic in support of filmmakers, guests, and independent cinema. Michael, Leslee, Jackie, Ariana, Jose, and the entire team were extremely communicative, organized, and responsive. The quality of the programming was outstanding, and the festival created an unparalleled atmosphere for building community with the other film artists that were in attendance. Dances with Film is top-tier in every way.

5 Star Review
 
Dave Quion
Dave Quion

Just an outstanding festival experience. From the beginning, the communication went above and beyond- there were multiple emails and zoom meetings, and any questions were answered thoroughly. The historic Hollywood locations at the Chinese Theatre and Roosevelt Hotel can’t be beat. All the filmmaker get togethers were great. The panels and filmmaker talks were very informative. Saw many great films and met many great filmmakers and industry people. And my screening block was either sold out or close to it with an enthusiastic audience. And throughout it all everyone involved in the festival displayed a genuine love for independent film that you can see in how they did everything.

5 Star Review

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