Do you have a dance film that needs to be seen?
The deadline for applications has now passed.
We know that there are loads of dance films, documents and experiments hidden on hard drives, lost in ‘the cloud’ or getting dusty on DVDs. The Artist Archive programme aims to bring visibility to all the stuff that’s in danger of being dismissed and forgotten. So, we’re hosting a Film Night to revisit dance on film from the last 30 plus years. We’re inviting both finished films and raw materials; choreography made for film, research, documentation and more. Artist Archive Film Night is about sharing work that you think will make an impact, that you would fight for. We’re only accepting one submission per artist, and films must be ready for screening.
As with previous Artist Archive open calls, we will prioritise work that:
- was/is unfunded or underfunded
- had few opportunities to be presented with support
- resists the mainstream
- would otherwise be dismissed or forgotten – and must not be!
This opportunity is open to dance artists, choreographers, collectives and film makers. We welcome applications from those working in or across different dance styles and approaches to movement.
We strongly encourage applications from those whose backgrounds are underrepresented in the dance/arts sector, including people with heritage from the global majority/global south, who identify as disabled and/or neurodiverse, and/or who are from low-income backgrounds.
Film Submissions
Categories
We will select 10-15 films across two categories – Finished Films and Raw Materials.
Finished Films
For this category we’ll select films that you consider as finished works. For example:
- completed video/film projects
- edited films of live performances
- edited documentation of process or events
Raw Materials
Video materials that aren’t ‘finished’ or are a product of a process. For example:
- excerpts of rehearsal footage
- filmed performances
- documentation of social dances or events
- unfinished projects or fragments
Duration and Format
For films that are made to be seen from beginning to end, we will consider films of up to an hour long.
We can only consider films that are digital or have been digitised. For application we ask you to share your film at a reduced file size (up to 5GB), but for screening we can use the highest quality file.
If you’d like advice on how to resize or format your digital file, or how to digitise analogue films, please take a look at the FAQs below, you can also get in touch (within 2 weeks of the deadline) and where possible we will support you to prepare your work for submission.
On the night
The selected films will be screened at an Artist Archive Film Night on Saturday 31 January 2026, from 5-10pm.
It’s going to be a whole building take over, using all our spaces including Research and Roof Studio, Library, Parlour, Study and communal areas. Films will be screened to both seated audiences and experienced on loop in passing. To get a sense of our building please watch our building tour here.
You can make suggestions on how your film could be viewed in the submission form, but the final decision will be made in collaboration with us in consideration of the overall curation.
We would love to see everyone presenting work attend on the day, and you will be given a free ticket to attend – however if you are not able to attend in person, you are still welcome to apply.
Artist Fees
We’re offering a fee of £200 for each film.
There is additional budget to support access for artists – such as travel to the event. We may also use this fund to produce materials that make your work more accessible, for example captioning and audio description.
How to apply
As this is an invitation to share pre-existing work that is ready to be seen, we’re asking for films to be submitted as part of the application. We will only consider one submission per artist/collective. So, pick your best one!
Your film can be uploaded directly into the form (5GB max), or you can provide a link to the film if it’s online.
On the application form we will also ask you to:
- Tell us about your film and the impact it will make
- Preferences for how your film could be installed or screened, if any (optional)
- Provide a rough description of your film for audiences (optional)
- Tell us whether you can make it on the 31 January
There are some additional questions about you, but these are optional.
Things to consider when applying
- The online application form cannot be saved part way through. We recommend that you download the questions to plan your application in advance.
- Be clear about the shared ownership of collaborative practice and ensure you have, or will have, the consent of any collaborators who were involved in the past work.
The deadline for applications has now passed.
Selection Timeline
- Selected artists informed: w/c 10 November 2025
- Deadline to confirm public information: w/c 24 November 2025
Application Support
If you have questions please get in touch by emailing contact@siobhandavies.com.
If you have access needs that will affect your ability to apply for this opportunity, including questions around digitising your analogue formats, please contact us and one of our team (not involved in the selection process) can offer you additional support. This can take the form of a conversation (up to 1 hour) or proof reading of your application and written feedback.
Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
— Who is eligible?
We welcome applications from makers and for works that fit the criteria listed above: works/practice that received little to no funding, had too few opportunities to be presented, are at risk of being forgotten outside of an immediate community, and that resist mainstream sites of production and presentation.
We welcome applications from those working in or across different dance styles and approaches to movement.
We are particularly interested in applications from those whose backgrounds are underrepresented in the dance/arts sector, including people with heritage from the global majority/global south, who identify as disabled and/or neurodivergent, and/or who are from low-income backgrounds.
We cannot accept applications from those in full time education.
— Can I submit more than one film?
We can only consider one submission per artist/collective. If you submit more than one film, we will only review the first submission.
— Is there additional budget for Access costs?
There is additional budget to support access for artists – such as travel to the event. We may also use this fund to produce materials that make your work more accessible, for example captioning and audio description.
— In what format should my film be in?
We can only consider films that are digital or have been digitised. For application we ask you to share your film at a reduced file size (up 5GB), but for screening we can use the highest quality file. Can can either provide a URL link to your film or upload your film as a .mpg, .mov, .wmv, .mp4 file.
— Can you recommend any free/cheap software for editing or formatting films?
Most Apple computers come with iMovie built-in. DaVinci Resolve has a free version that offers editing a good array of editing tools.
For video conversions – changing the video format or resizing a film for uploading – we recommend Handbrake which is a free programme and can be used on Mac and PC computers.
— Where can I get my film digitised?
Some photo and camera shops – such as SnappySnaps – offer digitising services, there are also online services that work by post – for example Digital Converters. This can be used for VHS tapes, cine film and camcorder tapes.