New York, NY – (December 6, 2022) Dances With Films (DWF), LA’s favorite indie film festival celebrating the best of the best in independent film, launched their inaugural New York festival with a bang! After 25 successful years in Los Angeles, founders Leslee Scallon and Michael Trent are thrilled to expand the festival to the artistic, cultural and creative epicenter of the country, New York City. The festival ran from December 1-4 at the Regal Union Square and showcased 70 world premiere features, shorts and documentaries.
The festival kicked off with musical drama and Industry Choice Award winner Beau – The Musical, directed by Josh Rhodes with music, lyrics and book by Douglas Lyons (Chicken & Biscuits) and music and orchestrations by Ethan D. Packchar. The film is produced by Tony Award winner Hunter Arnold (Hadestown), making it the perfect film to open DWF:NYC.
Academy award winning screenwriter Tom Schulman (Dead Poets Society) stopped by the orange carpet to premiere Double Down South, which he wrote and directed. The film stars Lili Simmons (Banshee), Kim Coates (Sons of Anarchy) and Igby Rigney (The Midnight Club) Documentaries included Radioactive: The Women of Three Mile Island written and directed by Heidi Hutner and featuring the iconic Jane Fonda, Anxious Nation narrated by Kathy Ireland tapped Joan Lunden to moderate their panel discussing mental health. Additionally, Help Her Live executive produced by Richard Linklater (Boyhood, Before Sunrise) featuring original music by Alana Haim (Licorice Pizza).
The festival had a sensational slate of shorts from ¡RABBIT! starring actress and filmmaker Sonia Mena (Tell Me Lies), Cupcake starring Revell Carpenter (Sex Lives of College Girls), Minutemen starring Terry Serpico (Law & Order), Hit Friends directed by Daniel Rashid and starring Kelley Jackle (Pitch Perfect series) and Sterling Jones (Lone Survivor) and This Is Their Land starring Román Zaragoza (Ghosts on CBS).
Dances With Films has always advocated for diversity and inclusion in film. The programmers carefully selected a slate with topics that inspire, generate awareness and promote activism. The important issues highlighted in DWF NYC include women’s rights, the war in Ukraine, religion, Holocaust survivors, mental health, LGBTQIA+ and more.
This five star festival is already planning for a sequel in addition to their annual Los Angeles festival in June. Industry Choice Award Judges for over 40′ are casting director Valerie McCaffrey, veteran producer Raymond Mansfield and New Line Cinema veterans Jane Fleming and Mark Ordesky. Industry Choice Award Judges for under 40′ are actor/ director Eriq La Salle (ER), Emmy award nominated writer/director Robert Munic (POWERBOOK IV: FORCE) and UTA agent Grace Royer. DWF:NYC’s entire list of winners can be found below.
INDUSTRY CHOICE AWARD – over 40′
Beau – The Musical
Book, Lyrics & Concept: Douglas Lyons
Directed by Josh Rhodes
Produced by Hunter Arnold
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INDUSTRY CHOICE AWARD – under 40′
One Closet, Twenty Toes And A Gun
Written & directed by Morne Strydom
Produced by Aisha Williams, Lindsey Appolis
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AUDIENCE AWARD for Documentaries
Radioactive: The Women Of Three Mile Island
Directed by Heidi Hutner
Produced by: Heidi Hutner
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AUDIENCE AWARD for Narrative Features
Words That Move: See Through A Different I
Written by Max Stossel
Directed by Erin Richards
Produced by Yacht Club Films, Mac Stossel, Erin Richards
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AUDIENCE AWARD for Narrative Shorts
Little Mouse
written and directed by Lena Kaminsky
produced by: Lena Kaminsky, Eva Kaminsky, John Patrick Hayden
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