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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 29th 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.