Film submission period is June 2-30, 2025
We are excited to announce an open call for film submissions to AADF2025 Dance Film Screening, held Monday, Aug 25th at the Mingei International Museum Theater in Balboa Park. AADF2025 is San Diego’s first Asian American Dance Festival, a multi-day and multi-venue festival celebrating AAPI dance/movement artists and communities. We are seeking short films that are dance/movement-based and made by AAPI artists, celebrating stories of identity, belonging, heritage, resistance & resilience. Submit your dance film for consideration, and join us in uplifting AAPI voices.
Overview
AADF2025 will host two screenings of dance films made by AAPI artists - student artist screening and featured artist screening (general). Submissions will be reviewed by an AADF panel, and chosen films will be offered for live screening. Two prizes will be awarded for each screening - Audience Choice Award and Critics Choice Award (jury panel). A panel discussion will be held immediately afterwards, followed by a wrap party where film awards will be announced and audience members can mingle and chat with artists.
TIMELINE
Jun 2 - Submissions open
Jun 30 - Submissions close
Jul 21 - Artists notified of acceptance
Aug 4 - Accepted artists submit any additional collateral
Aug 25 - Dance Film Screening
LOCATION
Mingei International Museum Theater
Balboa Park
1439 El Prado
San Diego CA 92101
Filmmaker Benefits:
- Live theater presentation of your film.
- Eligibility for filmmaker awards.
- Free AADF2025 Festival Pass providing admission to all ticketed events.
- Industry networking and discovery opportunities. Our panels include professionals from the dance and film industries.
- Opportunities for further exposure via our outreach and marketing campaigns.
- Inclusion in our permanent digital archive.
- “Official AADF2025 Film Screening Selection” laurel to help promote your film.
Awards & Prizes
All films selected for the Film Screening are eligible for the following awards for each film category (Student & General).
- Audience Choice Award (chosen by audience survey)
- Critic's Choice Award (chosen by jury panel)
All awards will be announced at the post-screening after party.
Rules & Terms
FILM SCREENING GENERAL RULES & GUIDELINES
- All dance/movement-based films of any genre or style will be considered.
- Films should be 2-12 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 AADF2025 and will hold AADF and its presenters and sponsor (TILTshift Dance, bkSOUL, and San Diego Dance Theater) 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 2025 Festival and for future institutional promotion of AADF.
- Once submitted, a film cannot be withdrawn for any reason.
How To Submit Your Film
All dance film submissions must go through FilmFreeway. You will need to create an account and add a “Project” before submitting.
Be sure to include in your Project File the following items:
- Poster image
- Trailer
- Still photos (2-3)
- Filmmaker/Director Headshot
- Filmmaker/Director bio (50 word and 150 word)
- Student ID image (upload under “Files & Attachments”)
$5 submission fee - please email us at asianamericandancefestival@gmail.com if the fee is a barrier for you.
Submissions open on Monday June 2, 2025 and close on Monday, June 30, 2025, 11:59pm PST.
Artists will be notified of results by Monday, July 21, 2025 via email and FilmFreeway.
For any questions, please email us at asianamericandancefestival@gmail.com, with the subject line: Dance Film Screening - Submission Inquiry.
You can download a PDF copy of the information and guidelines on this webpage.
Know an AAPI dance/movement artist who should submit a film?
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!
Our Partners & Sponsors
TILTshift Dance and AADF2025 are fiscally sponsored by San Diego Dance Theater.