Film submissions open May 1st

Taking place at MCASD in La Jolla, AADF2026 will host a screening of dance films made by AAPI artists, along with international films by Asian artists. Chosen films are curated by a panel of dance and film professionals with a special screening of student films included (not juried). Immediately following the screening, there will be a panel discussion, as well as an opportunity for audience members to mingle and chat with the artists.

All non-student films selected for the Film Screening are eligible for the following awards.

• Audience Choice Award (chosen by audience survey)
• Critic's Choice Award (chosen by jury panel)

All awards will be announced on the last day of AADF2026 at the Mainstage Showcase.

FILM SCREENING GENERAL RULES & GUIDELINES

• All dance/movement-based films of any genre or style will be considered.
• Films should be 2-15 minutes in length.
• Filmmakers must Include high-resolution film stills and/or production photos with each submission, including photo credits.
• Films with dialogue or music lyrics must include a closed caption .srt file if selected.
• Student filmmakers must submit a current, valid student ID or proof of enrollment at the time the film was made, with your submission.
• If accepted, filmmakers should support and promote the festival and the community of artists involved, including sharing of social media posts, marketing materials, fundraising campaigns, etc.

FILE FORMATS FOR SCREENING EVENT

• Selected films will be requested in their native frame rate in QuickTime format (.mov or .mp4).

RELEASE

• The individual or production company submitting the film hereby warrants that they have cleared all necessary copyrights, including any underlying rights, to submit this film and its supporting materials to AADF2026 and will hold AADF and its presenters and sponsors (TILTshift Dance, bkSOUL, San Diego Dance Theater, and MCASD) harmless from and against any and all third party claims.
• By submitting your film, AADF and its presenters (TILTshift Dance and bkSOUL) are hereby granted the right to utilize any submitted materials, including video and still images for purposes of promotion of the 2026 Festival and for future institutional promotion of AADF.
• Once submitted, a film cannot be withdrawn for any reason.

If you know of an AAPI dance/movement artist who should submit a film, please share this information. You can also email us - asianamericandancefestival@gmail.com. We welcome dance/movement artists of all genres, representing the breadth and diversity of the AAPI diaspora!

It truly takes a village to bring projects like AADF to life...let's support and celebrate our fellow artists!