Open Call for Submissions
The kNOwBOX dance Film Festival (NBFF) is back for its 7th year, inviting filmmakers from around the world to push the boundaries of dance on screen! Dedicated to challenging the possibilities of what dance can look like in video form, NBFF curates innovative and thought-provoking dance films that foster cultural exchange and new artistic perspectives.
Held simultaneously in Mexico, South Korea, and the U.S. NBFF offers a unique global platform for artists and audiences to experience dance through film. Selected works will be showcased alongside engaging discussions and events that celebrate the power of movement and storytelling.
Submissions for the 2025 festival are now open!
Visit FilmFreeway for details
and join us in redefining dance on screen.
Early Bird Deadline: April 1, 2025
Entries Close: May 1, 2025
If you are unable to pay the fee but would like to submit
please fill out this form with your request for consideration.
Categories & Fees
Art Films 1-10 minutes
A dance-inspired art film (1-10 minutes) that explores movement in innovative ways. This also includes video dance, dance for camera, and screendance. Created specifically for the cinematic space, these works span shorts, narrative, fiction, experimental, animation, multicultural, and multi-genre formats reimagining what dance can be in film.
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Earlybird Deadline: $20
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Regular Deadline: $25
Art Films 11-90 minutes
A dance-inspired art film (11-90 minutes) that delves deeper into movement and storytelling through cinematic expression. This also includes videodance, dance for camera, and screendance. Created specifically for the cinematic space, these works encompass feature-length narratives, fiction, experimental, animation, multicultural, multi-genre formats redefining the possibilities of dance in film.
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Earlybird Deadline: $30
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Regular Deadline: $35
Documentary Films 1-10 minutes
A dance-related documentary film (1-10 minutes) that tells compelling, real-life stories about the world of dance. These films explore the history, culture, and impact of dance, offering an in-depth look at the lives of dancers, choreographers, and communities. Created specifically for the screen, these works include narratives, interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and cultural explorations, providing an authentic, immersive perspective on dance’s power to inspire, challenge, and transform.
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Earlybird Deadline: $20
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Regular Deadline: $25
Documentary Films 11-90 minutes
A dance-related documentary film (11-90 minutes) that offers a deeper, more immersive exploration of real-life stories within the dance world. These films delve into the history, culture, and impact of dance, providing an in-depth look at the lives of dancers, choreographers, and communities. Created specifically for the screen, these works feature narratives, interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and cultural explorations, capturing the transformative power of dance and its ability to inspire, challenge, and connect across time and space.
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Earlybird Deadline: $30
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Regular Deadline: $35
360°/VR films
A 360°/VR dance-inspired art film (1-15 minutes) that immerses viewers in an interactive, fully realized dance experience. These films utilize virtual reality and 360° technology to push the limits of how dance can be felt and experienced in a digital space. Created specifically for the VR platform, these works span shorts, narratives, experimental, animation, and documentary formats, offering a new, dynamic perspective that invites audiences to engage with dance in groundbreaking, multi-dimensional ways.
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Earlybird Deadline: $30
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Regular Deadline: $35
Live Performance 3-60 minutes
Submit a video excerpt for a live dance performance (3-60 minutes) that brings movement to life on stage, offering an intimate and dynamic experience for audiences. Artists selected for this category will be emailed a follow-up google form application and have the opportunity to propose their work for live performances in Dallas, Texas (USA), Mexico City, or Seoul, Korea. These performances should push the boundaries of live dance by integrating cultural perspectives or cutting-edge technology in exciting ways. Whether through the exploration of cultural traditions, the incorporation of digital elements, or the blending of movement with multimedia. *kNOWBOX dance can NOT provide monetary support for travel or accommodations but will provide a small award honorarium.
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Earlybird Deadline: $20
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Regular Deadline: $25
Awards & Prizes
Awards
+ #NBFF Official - all selected films
+ #NBFF AttentionGrabber USA - audience selected film
+ #NBFF AttentionGrabber Korea - audience selected film
+ #NBFF AttentionGrabber Mexico - audience selected film
+ #NBFF Visionary - selection committee voted
+ #NBFF Outstanding Performance Award - selection committee voted
PRIZES
+ All films selected for the NBFF 2025 Official Selection will receive a monetary honorarium
+ “Official NBFF” laurel
+ Social Media & Website Feature: promoting filmmaker social media and website links
+ NBFF “#Visionary” guaranteed interview on our Dance Behind the Screen Podcast
+ 2025 NBFF Visionary Award Honorarium
+ Complimentary Tickets/Passes (2 per selected filmmaker)
+ All films selected for the NBFF 2025 Official Selection will be added to our digital archive and catalog that will be distributed to independent organizations, schools/universities, cinemas, and/or museums.
Guidelines
+ Meet length guidelines as outlined by category
+ Films submitted will be screened by our NBFF 2025 Jury
+ Films that have been submitted in previous years are eligible to be resubmitted, provided they are eligible according to all of the festival’s current rules.
+ Each entry must include high-resolution film stills/photos with submission (please include photo credits)
+ Each entry must include filmmaker/artist current location
+ Each filmmaker is responsible for holding copyright permission for any elements used in the film.
+ Selected films must provide film in 1280*720, 1920*1080 / Format: MP4 or MOV
+ Selected films must provide additional marketing materials upon request
+ All films submitted grant NBFF the right to utilize materials including video and still images for NBFF 2025 and/or future kNOwBOX dance marketing or events.
+ My materials can be included in NBFF 2025, future kNOwBOX dance publicity, and included in the kNOwBOX dance permanent digital archive and catalog that will be distributed to independent organizations, schools/universities, cinemas, and/or museums.
+ Submission fee paid
+ Works created between 1950 and 2025
+ If the submitted work has been distributed to other screening media before the festival is held, or the entire video is being screened online for free, it may be excluded from the competition section.
By submitting one's film, filmmakers/artists give permission to kNOwBOX dance and the kNOwBOX dance Film Festival (NBFF) the right to utilize materials including video and still images for promotion, events, and educational purposes. The official selection will be included in NBFF 2025, NBFF On Tour, future kNOwBOX dance publicity, and included in the kNOwBOX dance permanent digital archive and catalog that will be distributed to independent organizations, schools/universities, cinemas, and/or museums.