cyprus dance film festival Youth

Youth tech fest - The Warehouse by ITQuarter - 01/02/2-25

about cdff

The Cyprus Dance Film Festival Youth is the premier event for young dance filmmakers and enthusiasts in Cyprus. Our mission is to celebrate the vibrant art of dance films, the excitement of movement, and the creativity of filmmaking. We bring the energy of youth dance films to the big screen, paired with a Red Carpet experience and an exclusive Award Ceremony.

We value your talent and passion, promoting your dance films throughout the year on our rapidly growing social media platforms. Our festival provides space for background stories, updates, and news about your dance projects. You and your team are invited to walk the glamorous Red Carpet at our event in Limassol and celebrate your achievements.

The festival is produced by Cult Experiences, dedicated to amplifying the voices of emerging producers, directors, dancers, musicians, and other young creators, helping them showcase their unique talents.

Interested to take part?

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 dancing, your films and your regular news.

Cyprus Dance Film Festival Youth proudly accepts entries on FilmFreeway, the world’s #1 way to enter film festivals and creative contests.

Awards & Prizes

Best Dance Film Youth
Best Dance Film (Audience Award) Youth
Best Cypriot Production Dance Film Youth
Best Cypriot Production Dance Film (Audience Award) Youth
Best Foreign Production Dance Film Youth
Best Foreign Production Dance Film (Audience Award) Youth
Best Dance Photograph Youth
Best Dance Photograph (Audience Award) Youth
Best Male Dancer Youth
Best Female Dancer Youth
Best Male Performer / Actor Youth
Best Female Performer / Actress Youth
Best Dance Documentary Youth
Best Experimental Dance Film Youth
Best Fusion Dance Film Youth
Best Ballet Dance Film Youth
Best Ballroom Dance Film Youth
Best Modern and Contemporary Dance Film Youth
Best Hip Hop and Street Dance Film Youth
Best Jazz Dance Film Youth
Best Traditional and Folk Dance Film Youth
Best Pole Dance Film Youth
Best Choreography Youth
Best Original Song Youth
Best Sound Edit / Mix / Design Youth
Best Writing Youth
Best Director Youth
Best Cinematography Youth
Best Costume Youth
Best Editing Youth
Best Hair & Makeup Youth

The CDFFY trophies are exquisitely crafted by the talented hands of an artist, adding an extra touch of artistry to each coveted award.

In addition to Cult awards, winners of the Cyprus Dance Film Festival Youth were treated to something special. Each winner received a unique signed artwork created by a renowned Cyprus-based artist.

Cult Awards

The Cult Awards are the pinnacle of recognition at our festivals, celebrate outstanding contributions in the arts, honoring visionaries who push creative boundaries. These coveted awards recognize those who leave a lasting impact on our cultural landscape.

While acknowledging the subjective nature of art, we unite as a community to inspire and uplift each other. Our festivals go beyond awards, fostering a network where art, music, dance, fashion, and film enthusiasts connect, collaborate, and support one another.

In addition to acknowledging excellence, the Cult Awards stand out by featuring unique trophies designed by different artists each year. This adds an extra layer of excitement and ensures that each award is a distinct work of art.

Join our festivals to experience a dynamic space where creativity thrives, and together, let’s shape a brighter future for art and expression.

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 for dance films:

– 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 for Dance Photography:

– Composition
– Photographic Technique
– Visual Storytelling
– Theme
– Aesthetics
– Impact
– Dancer’s Performance
– Production Design
– Styling
– Hair & Makeup
– Representation of Movement
– Creativity
– Originality
– Emotion

Rules & Terms:

Cyprus Dance Film Festival Youth Submission Guidelines:

Award Consideration: To be eligible for an award, the names of the crew or cast members who will be nominated must be included in the production credits section of the submission form. For example, to be considered for Best Cinematography, you must mention the person(s) responsible for the cinematography of your film.
Original Work: All submitted dance films must be the original work of the entrant and must not infringe on any copyrights or other rights of third parties. Entrants must have obtained all necessary copyright permissions for music, sound, images, etc., used in their film.
Film Length & Year: For the first year of the festival, dance films of any length and from any year are eligible for submission.
Multiple Entries: Participants may submit multiple entries.
Premiere Status: There are no premiere restrictions for films submitted to the Cyprus Dance Film Festival Youth.
Open Submissions: The festival is open to submissions from creators anywhere in the world.
Final Decision: The decision of the festival selection committee is final.
Entry Fees: There are no fee waivers, and all entry fees are non-refundable.
Promotional Use: Excerpts from submitted films may be used for promotional purposes on TV, radio, local networks, and the internet.
Selection Process: Being selected as a participant means that your film has been nominated for an award. However, selection does not guarantee that the film will be screened at the Red Carpet event in Limassol.
Scoring: All films will be reviewed, nominated, and scored by a jury, with winners selected based on these scores.
Laws: Participants must ensure their film does not violate any applicable laws.
Organizer Rights: The festival organizers reserve the right to change, cancel, or reschedule the dates, venue, awards, or categories without prior notice.
Awards: The organizers reserve the right not to award any or all prizes.
Disqualification: Failure to adhere to these rules will result in disqualification, and entry fees will not be refunded.
Music Videos: No music videos are allowed. Please visit the Cyprus Music Video Festival for music video submissions.
Eligibility: The festival is open to young creators under 24 years of age, including those with parental consent.
Submission Platform: Submissions are accepted exclusively through FilmFreeway.
Photograph Specifications: Digital images must be in JPG format, with a recommended resolution of at least 3600 pixels on the long side and saved at 300 dpi. Images can be in color or black and white.
Entrant Responsibility: The entrant must be the creator or part of the team with the rights to the submission. All required permissions for music, choreography, and other elements must be obtained.
Photo Categories: Submissions for photographs must specify the category—Studio, On Location, or Edit. Studio photos should be shot indoors, while On Location should not. The Edit category allows more creative alterations.
Exhibition & Sales: The festival will cover exhibition costs, with a 50% commission on sales going to the Cyprus Dance Film Festival Youth. Winning entries will be shared across various media platforms.

cyprus dance film festival Youth

Youth tech fest - The Warehouse by ITQuarter - 01/02/2-25

Youth tech fest - The Warehouse by ITQuarter - 01/02/2-25

about cdff

Interested to take part?

Awards & Prizes

Cult Awards

What We Consider a Dance Film:

Judging criteria for dance films:

What do we consider A Dance Photograph:

Judging criteria for Dance Photography:

Rules & Terms:

find more about the festival on our social media accounts