Breaking Walls Dance Films (6)

Festival start: 10 January 2027      Festival end: 20 January 2027

Open call for filmmakers!

Be part of the 6th edition of Breaking Walls Dance Films.

Breaking Walls Dance Films (BWDF) is the first and only dance film festival in Egypt and the region. Since 2021 we have screened 129 films from more than twenty countries, and we programme deliberately towards work that rarely reaches Egyptian screens — recent editions have introduced audiences to films from Tunisia, Malta, Hungary and Indonesia.

The 6th edition runs 10 to 20 January 2027. Screenings take place in Cairo and, just as importantly, outside it — in Minya, Mansoura, Sohag and Qena. In several of those governorates, our screenings were the first time dance film had ever been shown publicly. Every screening is free and open to the public, and every selected film is shown at least twice at different venues.

The festival runs alongside a programme of workshops, masterclasses and live performances, and selected filmmakers are invited to join roundtable discussions with Egyptian and international artists, remotely or in person.

On the sidelines of the festival

We also welcome dance-related documentaries and feature films for screening outside competition. If your film falls outside the competition criteria but belongs at a dance film festival, submit it — we will consider it for the sideline programme.

Selected films are announced at the end of December 2026.

Cash Prizes: 1,000€

AWARDS:

- "Magda Saleh" Award for Best Film, chosen by the jury, in the amount of $1,000 presented by ÑUT Dance Company (NDC)

- Best Egyptian Film Award, chosen by the jury, in the amount of $500

- Audience Choice Best Film Award.

- Best Choreography award, chosen by the jury.

- Best soundtrack award, chosen by the jury.

- Best Cinematography Award, chosen by the jury.

- Best Arab Film Award, chosen by the jury.

All dance-based films will be considered, in any style.

Films must be 4 to 40 minutes long.

Films must have been produced within the last three years. Older films are welcome in the sideline programme, outside competition.

english subtitles are required for any film with dialogue or narration in another language.

There is no entry fee.

Multiple submissions are welcome. Submit each film separately.

By submitting, you confirm you hold the rights to the film and give permission for it to be screened during the festival and at associated screenings in the governorates if selected.

Each selected film is screened at least twice, at different venues.

The deadline is 15 November 2026, 23:00 Cairo time (UTC+2). Late submissions cannot be considered.

All applicants are notified by the end of December 2026, whether or not their film is selected.