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MOves FILM FESTIVAL
9.7.26
A DANCE FILM FESTIVAL IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.
MISSION
The MOves Film Festival is founded as a platform for movement-driven storytelling, dedicated to amplifying the art of dance on screen in Kansas City, Missouri. In its inaugural year, the festival seeks to celebrate the intersection of choreography and cinema.
Our mission is to uplift dance filmmakers, choreographers, and interdisciplinary artists by providing a space where innovation, collaboration, and artistic risk are not only welcomed, but essential. MOves Film Festival aims to connect local and international voices.
We are committed to honoring the body as a vessel of narrative capturing stories that are felt as much as they are seen and to positioning Kansas City as a home for bold, boundary-pushing work in dance and film.
Through screenings, conversations, and shared experiences, MOves Film Festival aspires to ignite dialogue, inspire future creation, and establish a lasting presence for dance on screen in the Midwest.
WHAT
TO
EXPECT
Where movement becomes language and film becomes a living stage.
࿐2026 MOves FILM FESTIVAL SUBMISSION DATES
EARLY BIRD DEADLINE: JULY 1
REGULAR DEADLINE: JULY 20
FILMMAKER NOTIFICATION ROUND 1: AUGUST 3
FILMMAKER NOTIFICATION FINALIST: AUGUST 17
SCREENING IN KANSAS CITY, MO: SEPTEMBER 7
࿐FILM CATEGORIES
DANCE-BASED FILMS 5MIN-15MIN LONG.
ALL GENRES/STYLES, DANCE FORMS ACCEPTED.
࿐ENTRY FEE
$40 PER ENTRY / $25 STUDENT RATE (EARLY BIRD DEADLINE)
$50 PER ENTRY / $35 STUDENT RATE (REGULAR DEADLINE)
*MUST SIGN UP WITH STUDENT EMAIL FOR STUDENT RATE
*PAYMENT DUE AFTER REGISTRATION CONFIRMATION EMAIL HAS BEEN SENT
࿐FILM FORMATS
SUBMIT FILMS VIA LINK (VIMEO, YOUTUBE, ETC.)
NO PASSWORDS PLEASE.
࿐SELECTED FILMMAKER BENEFITS
— ADJUDICATED AT OFFICIAL SCREENING ON 9/7/26.
— “OFFICIAL MOVES FILM FESTIVAL SELECTION”
LAUREL AWARD TO HELP PROMOTE YOUR FILM FOR THE FUTURE.
— HAVE YOUR FILM HIGHLIGHTED ON KCMOVES FESTIVAL’S SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS.
࿐SELECTED FILMMAKER BENEFITS
All films selected for the Festival are eligible for the following LAUREL awards. Winners will be chosen by an independent award jury.
— BEST OVERALL DANCE FILM ($250 CASH PRIZE)
— VISIONARY AWARD
— AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD
AWARDS WILL BE ANNOUNCED THE DAY FOLLOWING THE FESTIVAL SCREENING ON SEPTEMBER 8.
