NEW YORK CITY’S ANNUAL ‘DANCES WITH FILMS’ RETURNS FOR 4TH YEAR

• By Mabel Pais

Featuring

Director SHRUTI PAREKH’s Short film ‘HOMEBODY’ World Premiere

Co-Directors SANDRO RAMANI & COREY DEVON ARTHUR’s Short film ‘IN EXCHANGE FOR FLESH’

Director BAKHTAWAR TAGAR’s Short film ‘NAAZ’

And many, many more

DFW: Recently cited as one of MovieMaker’s “Coolest” film festivals

The Annual ‘DANCES WITH FILMS’ (DWF) New York City edition of the bi-coastal indie-Film Festival returns for the 4th year, January 15-18, 2026. The new year will present several feature-length narratives, documentaries, and midnight films making their debut, with pilots, family films, and short films also enjoying the singular cinema showcase that DWF provides as part of the only true-indie film festival with a foothold in both Los Angeles and New York City.

Recently selected by MovieMaker Magazine as one of its “25 Coolest Film Festivals”, as well as being cited earlier in the year by Dread Central as a top 40 festival programming horror/genre films Dances With Films is now entrenched as a go-to film festival platforming true-indies. In less than five years, it has taken its place alongside NYFF (New York Film Festival) and Tribeca as a prime launching pad and showcase for cinema, while introducing fresh, new filmmaking talent on a big stage for audiences and critics.

This year’s highly anticipated DWF NY lineup includes 157 films, including 20 narrative, 9 documentary,  and 4 midnight features, 21 television and streaming pilots, 6 family films, and 97 short films (56 narrative, 15 documentary, and 26 midnight). All screenings will take place at Regal Union Square (850 Broadway), New York city.

The 2026 Dances With Films NY Event Lineup

OPENING NIGHT FEATURE

VINDICTA     

DIR: Dominik Sedlar; USA/UK; 124m

In just one moment a young girl’s world shatters when her parents are murdered in front of her. After fleeing, she seeks refuge with family friends before becoming the embodiment of rage and revenge towards those responsible for destroying her life. An unexpected connection with a handsome young Nazi Officer generates a moment of respite, but she is consumed by vengeance at any cost, no matter what or when.

CLOSING NIGHT FEATURE

ROOF – World Premiere

DIR: Salvatore Sciortino; USA; 89m

Two co-workers facing terrible life choices get trapped on the roof of a skyscraper during a long, hot holiday weekend. The inconvenience becomes a fight for survival as they attempt increasingly dangerous ways to escape, while forming a unique and unexpected friendship.

ADDITIONAL NARRATIVE FEATURES

A SIMPLE MACHINE

DIR: Mark Hoffman; USA; 98m

ALIENS ARE COMING!! ON MONDAY!!! – World Premiere

DIR: Geoffrey Davin; USA; 67.5m

BANANA SPLIT – World Premiere

Director: Walter Kim; USA; 93m

BY THE GRAPE OF GOD – World Premiere

DIR: Colmcille Donston; USA; 96m

THE CEREAL AISLE EFFECT – World Premiere

DIR: Peter Odiorne; USA; 87m

DAMNED IF YOU DO

DIRS: Evan Metzold, Jake Rubin; USA; 107m

FANBOY

DIR: Bean McKee; USA; 83m

GAZELLE

DIRS: Nadir Saribacak, Samy Pioneer; USA/Turkey; 100m

INFIRMARY – World Premiere                                                       

DIR: Nicholas Pineda; USA; 85m

KAISHAKU

DIR: Harry Locke IV; USA; 104m

THE LEGEND OF JUAN JOSE MUNDO

DIR: Michael Walker; USA; 94m

LOAFERS – World Premiere

DIR: Zach Schnitzer; 87m

NO CHOICE

DIR: Nate Hilgartner; USA; 95m

SMILE… THE WORST IS YET TO COME – World Premiere

DIR: Chloe Lenihan; USA; 84m

STOP TIME – World Premiere

DIR: Paul Schwartz; USA; 78m

DOCUMENTARY FEATURES

DAD GENES – World Premiere

DIR: Craig Downing; USA; 62m

GLENDORA – World Premiere

DIRS: Isabelle Armand, Glendora Collaborative; USA; 74m

HOLY GHETTO – World Premiere

DIR: ILan Azoulai; USA; 83m

KRATOM: SIDE EFFECTS MAY INCLUDE – World Premiere

DIRS: Jamie Neese, Jason Neese; USA; 78m

OUR BODY ELECTRIC – World Premiere                                                       

DIR: Dana Reilly; USA; 91m

UNTOUCHABLES: THE STORY OF ST. BENEDICT’S FENCING – World Premiere 

DIR: Sabbuur Ikhlas; USA; 94m

VELVET VISION

DIR: Bart Everly; USA; 138m

THE WORK… A CONVERSATION

DIR: Eve Annenberg; USA; 89m

ZZASLOW K-427

DIR: Robert Ham; USA/Afghanistan; 78m

MIDNIGHT FEATURES

There are four midnight features.

PILOTS – TV & WEB

Twenty one films embrace this category.

FAMILY FILMS

There are six family films.

SHORT FILMS

NARRATIVE SHORTS

Fifty six films are in this category.

DOCUMENTARY SHORTS

There are fourteen in this category.

MIDNIGHT SHORTS

Twenty six films are found in this category.

Dances with Films (DWF)

Now in its 29^th year, Dances With Films champions the unflinching spirit at the very core of the independent film scene. With most film festivals relying heavily on celebrity, DWF have relied on innovation, talent, creativity, and sweat equity that revolutionized the entertainment industry. And that reliance continues to prove successful with alumni moving on to write, direct, and produce celebrity-studded vehicles, star in blockbuster movies, and television series, produce multi-million-dollar films and create hot TV shows.

For more information about the Dances With Films NY film lineup, events, passes, and tickets, go to danceswithfilms.com.

Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Spirituality, Education, Business, Health and Wellness, and Cuisine.