Dances With Films
Major legitimate festival with strong credentials
Dances With Films is Los Angeles' largest independent film festival, renowned as a premier discovery platform that showcases innovative cinema from undiscovered talent rather than established names. Founded in 1998 by Leslee Scallon and Michael Trent, it screens over 250 films annually—including narrative features, documentaries, shorts, music videos, and TV pilots—at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. The festival is significant for holding the most world premieres of any Los Angeles festival and attracting over 20,000 attendees yearly, earning recognition from Indiewire and CNN as a leader in positioning raw, new directors.
Last updated Jul 16, 2026
Legitimacy Analysis
Positive Indicators (+33 pts)
- 28 years of verifiable history
- Physical screenings at TCL Chinese Theatre
- Named jury members
- Verified trusted status
Red Flags (-0 pts)
No red flags found
Festival Details
Founded
1998
Venue
TCL Chinese Theatre
Screenings
Physical screenings confirmed
Award Categories
10
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