Montrose International Screen Dance Festival
Festival
Line-
up
%20(Real%20Estate%20Flyer).png)
Program Notes
Welcome to the Montrose International Screendance Festival (IS,
produced by Dance Avondale in Chicago, Illinois!
​
The Montrose International Screendance Festival is committed to connecting the Chicago arts community with artists around the world through the art of dance on film. We embrace filmmakers from all skill levels, nurturing a global community that celebrates creativity and innovation in the realms of dance and film. We aim to provide an inclusive and celebratory platform where screendance can be shared, enjoyed, learned from, and created by all.
​
The Montrose International Screendance Festival proudly accepts entries on FilmFreeway.
Join us for a pre-screening mixer on July 10th from 4:00 - 5:00 pm to engage in dialogue, connect with other artists, and enjoy refreshments provided by Montrose ISDF and Dance Avondale at our event location, Movement on Montrose, 2951 W. Montrose Ave. Chicago, IL 60618.
Why: As a powerful medium, screendance explores the intersection of dance and technology, revealing the synergy between movement and film. This collaboration opens up cinematic possibilities, capturing art that can only exist on the screen. Through initiatives like Movement on Montrose with Dance Avondale, we encourage dancers to think creatively and reimagine the limitless possibilities of dance. Our festival aims to break down barriers, promote accessibility, and inspire a diverse audience to engage with the art of dance in all its forms—both live and digital—within an inclusive space for celebration, education, and performance.
​
Who: Open to screendance makers worldwide.
What: All forms of dance are welcome.
When: Submissions are due by Sunday, June 15th, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST. The festival will take place on July 10th, 2025.
Where: Officially selected films will be featured in an in-person screening at Movement on Montrose 2951 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL, USA. All selected artists, art and film enthusiasts, and community stakeholders will be invited to a social mixer before the showing to “catch up with the creators.”
Categories: Super Short (up to 5 min) - Short (up to 15 min) - Feature (15+ min) - First-Time Filmmakers
Submission Fees: $25 (Super Short) - $30 (Short) - $35 (Feature) - $15 Students (Any Length)
Awards & Prizes:
-
“Best of the Fest” — $250 cash prize, screened at the festival
-
“Honorable Mention”— $100 cash prize, screened at the festival
-
“Top Local Favorite” — four hours of free studio time provided through Dance Avondale
-
“First-Time Filmmaker — $50 cash prize, screeded at the festival
-
“Finalist” - screened at film festival
Rules & Terms:
-
The work must be original and created for film or video. (We do not show filmed performances or installations).
-
Recent works preferred.
-
Student applicants should apply with a .edu email address.
-
If accepted, filmmakers permit @mov.om.isdf (Instagram) to use their photographs and films in any promotional materials associated with the festival and on their website.
-
The final format must be .MOV or .MP4.
*Before submitting, please remember that this is specifically a festival of dance films. Films must meet these criteria to be considered.
**Dance Avondale is a nonprofit organization. All proceeds support a space that encourages collaboration among people of all backgrounds and art genres, fostering an inclusive environment without overshadowing any artist's voice.
