Introducing the inaugural film festival from Sadler’s Wells Digital Stage & Studio, taking place 5 – 7 June 2026.

Join us for a weekend celebrating the best dance in digital formats from across the globe. The event will include screenings, networking sessions, mentoring with industry experts, VR/XR installations, talks and more.

Filmmakers are invited to submit films to screen at the festival, be considered for an award and be selected for a curated limited time release on our Digital Stage platform.

Submissions

Submissions are now open in the following categories:

• Short dance on screen (max. 25 minutes)
• Short documentary / behind-the-scenes (max. 25 minutes)
• Feature length film (over 25 minutes)
• Social first films (max. 3 minutes)
• Films by young people (artists 21 and under), free to apply.

Submissions close at midnight on Sunday 22 February 2026.

Filmmakers will be notified by the end of March prior to the full programme announcement.

Tickets for the festival will be available from February 2026.

Categories

Dance on Screen films showcase dance performances specifically created to be watched on screen, challenging perceptions and pushing the boundaries of what dance and film can be. See examples of Dance on Screen films.

Documentary films / behind-the-scenes films might follow a dancer or choreographer’s process or tell impactful stories featuring and using dance. See examples of documentary / behind-the-scenes films.

Feature films can be any type of dance film with a running time of over 25 minutes.

Social first films are up to three minutes in length and made specifically to suit social media platforms.

Films by young people can be any of the above genres and must have a lead artist or artists aged 21 or under.

Awards

All selected films will be considered for the following awards:

• Best dance on screen film
• Best documentary / behind-the-scenes film
• Best film by young artists (21 and under)
• Best social first film
• Best cinematography
• Best dance (choreography, performance).

Awards will be announced at the festival.

A selection of the best films will also be programmed for a limited time release on Sadler’s Wells Digital stage after the event.