Cyprus Dance Film Festival (1)

Festival start: 05 November 2023      Festival end: 06 November 2023

The Cyprus Dance Film Festival is the most important film festival for filmmakers and dancers in Cyprus.

Our purpose is to celebrate the art of dance films, the joy of dance and the passion for music and filmmaking. We bring the dance filmmaking art to the big screen and top that with a unique after event dance party.

We value your work and promote your dance film all over the year on our social media with a rapidly growing number of followers. We give you space on our platform for background information regarding your work and your regular news.

You and your team members are welcome to join the glamorous red carpet event and award ceremony taking place at the Rialto Theater in Limassol on the 5th of November 2023.

Our festival is organized by “Cult Experiences”, which helps dancers, choreographers, producers, directors, actors, screenwriters, musicians and many other artists showcasing their voice.

What we consider a Dance Film:

A dance film, also known as a screen dance, dance-based film, is a genre of film that focuses primarily on dance as its central theme or storytelling element. Dance films typically feature choreographed dance sequences as a prominent aspect of the narrative or as the primary form of artistic expression. These films often combine elements of dance, music, and visual storytelling to create a unique cinematic experience.

In a dance film, the plot may revolve around a specific dance style or form, the journey of a dancer or dance group, or the exploration of dance as a means of personal or cultural expression. The narrative structure can vary, ranging from straightforward stories to abstract or experimental formats that emphasize the physicality and visual aesthetics of dance.

Dance films can encompass various dance styles, including ballet, contemporary dance, hip-hop, jazz, tap, and cultural or traditional forms of dance. They can be fictional narratives or documentaries that showcase real-life dancers, dance companies, or dance competitions.

Judging criteria Dance Film:
- Music
- Script / Scenario / Idea
- Dance Skills
- Choreography
- Directing
- Performances / Acting
- Cinematography
- Production Design
- Costume Design
- Editing
- Hair & Makeup
- Creativity
- Originality
- Emotion

What do we consider A Dance Photograph?

Dance photography is a genre of photography that focuses on capturing the artistry, movement, and physicality of dancers. It involves photographing dancers during their performances, rehearsals, or in specially arranged photo shoots. The aim is to freeze a moment of motion and convey the grace, athleticism, and expression of the dancer through the medium of photography.

Dance photography requires a good understanding of both photography techniques and the nuances of dance. It involves capturing dynamic poses, jumps, leaps, turns, and fluid movements that dancers perform. Photographers often work closely with dancers and choreographers to create visually striking images that showcase the beauty and energy of dance.

Dance photography can be seen in various contexts, including promotional materials for dance companies, dance magazines, online publications, and personal artistic projects. It not only documents the performances but also serves as a form of artistic expression, capturing the emotion, storytelling, and the spirit of dance through the lens of a camera.

Judging criteria Photography:
- Composition
- Photographic Technique
- Visual Storytelling
- Theme
- Aesthetics
- Impact
- Dancer's Performance
- Production Design
- Styling
- Hair & Makeup
- Representation of Movement
- Creativity
- Originality
- Emotion

Best Dance Film
Best Dance Film (Audience Award)
Best Cypriot Production Dance Film
Best Cypriot Production Dance Film (Audience Award)
Best Foreign Production Dance Film
Best Foreign Production Dance Film (Audience Award)
Best Dance Photograph
Best Dance Photograph (Audience Award)

Best Dance Documentary
Best Experimental Dance Film

Best Fusion Dance Film
Best Ballet Dance Film
Best Ballroom Dance Film
Best Modern and Contemporary Dance Film
Best Hip Hop and Street Dance Film
Best Jazz Dance Film
Best Traditional and Folk Dance Film
Best Pole Dance Film

Best Choreography
Best Music
Best Sound Edit / Mix / Design

Best Writing
Best Director
Best Cinematography
Best Costume
Best Editing
Best Hair & Makeup

Best Male Dancer
Best Female Dancer
Best Male Performer / Actor
Best Female Performer / Actress

Best Dance Photograph - Studio
Best Dance Photograph - On Location
Best Dance Photograph - Edit

IMPORTANT: In order to be considered for an award, the name/s of the crew/cast who will be nominated, need/s to be mentioned in the production credits section of the submission form. For example, in order to be considered for the best cinematography award, you must specify the person or people responsible for the cinematography of the film.

DANCE FILMS THAT ARE SUBMITTED MUST BE THE ENTRANT’S ORIGINAL WORK AND SHALL NOT INFRINGE ON ANY COPYRIGHTS OR ANY OTHER RIGHTS OF ANY THIRD PARTIES. CONTESTANTS AGREE THAT THEY HAVE OBTAINED ALL REQUIRED COPYRIGHT PERMISSIONS REGARDING MUSIC, SOUND & IMAGES. ETC PRESENTED IN THEIR DANCE FILM

No premiere restriction of a dance film at the Cyprus Dance Film Festival.

Multiple entries from the same submitter are accepted.

Just for the first year, dance films can be of any length and from any year.

The festival is open to submissions for people from anywhere in the world.

The decision of the festival selection committee will be final.

No fee waiver. All entry fees are non-refundable.

The excerpts from films sent for Cyprus Dance Film Festival can be shown on the TV / Local Network / Radio / Internet etc. for Promotional / Publicity.

Being selected means that the dance film is nominated for an award. It does not guarantee that the dance film will be screened at the evening event in Limassol.

All dance films submitted will be reviewed, nominated and scored by the jury. Based on these scores the winners will be selected.

The final selection will be announced on the notification date.

All participants warrant that their dance film do not violate applicable laws.

Cyprus Dance Film Festival organizers reserve rights to change, cancel or re-schedule the dates, venue, awards & categories without consent or information to contestants.

The organizers reserve the right not to award any or all of the prizes.

Failure to adhere to these rules and terms will result in disqualification and forfeiture of entry fee.

No Music Videos are allowed. Please visit Cyprus Music Video Festival.

Cyprus Dance Film Festival is open to amateur or professional photographers (Entrant) who are 18 years of age or older, or minors who have parental consent to enter.

Submissions are collected on Festhome exclusively.

Digital images must be in JPG format and are recommended to be at least 3600 pixels on the long side and be saved at 300 dpi.
Photographs may be in color or black and white.

The person submitting the Entry must be the creator or part of the team who has the rights of the Entry and shall not infringe on any copyrights or any other rights of any third Parties. Contestants agree that they have obtained all required copyright permissions regarding the images.

You may enter any number of entries.

By entering the CDFF, the Entrant represents, acknowledges and warrants that they have full power and authority to enter the photograph and that the photograph does not infringe any copyright or violate any other intellectual property rights.

The Entrant agrees to indemnify the CDFF from any and all third-party claims arising from the use of the photograph. It is the entrant’s responsibility to ensure that they have permission to submit images inclusive of all elements and persons in the image. Eg. Branding, Choreography, Art direction, artists' permission, or any other material that would require a license or connection to a third party.

Photographs that include sculptures, statues, paintings, and other works of art will be accepted as long as they do not constitute copyright infringement or fraud, provided that Entrants must be prepared to provide a release form at CDFF's sole discretion.

Entries must not contain material that promotes bigotry, racism, hatred or harm against any group or individual or promotes discrimination based on race, sex, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation or age.

Entries submitted for the Studio category should be shot in an indoor environment using studio strobes, constant light or natural light.

Entries submitted for the On Location category should not be shot in a studio environment.

Entries submitted for the "Edit" category - There is no limit to alterations to the image, dancer, or adding new elements and backgrounds and settings to the original image.

Images submitted to the categories of On Location and Studio Portraits are allowed to have normal editing such as adjusting exposure/levels, color, sharpness and minor background etching. Eg. Minor dust/dirt cloning, removal of stray hairs, minor skin complexion and studio backdrop fill.
Any photos where new backgrounds, or any other major element, are composited into the photo should be submitted to the "Edit" category.

By submitting an Entry, you understand that if your Entry/’s is deemed to be a winner, it will be posted and distributed in various public media for CDFF's publications and events.

CDFF will be responsible exhibition display costs. Sales opportunities will be available, with a 50% commission on all sales going to CDFF.