Indy Dance Council announced its 2026 film festival, highlighting short dance films from across the country.
The third annual festival celebrating dance films is returning this year with a new name and 10 new films. Indy Dance Film Fest — which takes place at the Kan-Kan Cinema on Jan. 27, 2026 — is a celebration of the intersection of dance and cinema, tapping into the country’s “vast array of talented filmmakers and performers with a passion for dance,” according to a press release.
“The Indy Dance Film Fest is an expansion of our original Film Night, which has always been a celebration of Hoosier dance filmmakers,” Sarah Farnsley, managing director of Indy Dance Council, told the Recorder in an email. “This year we’ve opened applications up to the entire country and are thrilled to continue our mission to uplift local talent while showcasing their work alongside top-tier films from across the US.”
READ MORE: Where to experience free public art in Indianapolis
Presented by the Indy Dance Council, the festival aims to create an evening where Hoosiers can come together to celebrate the creativity and artistry of dance and cinema, featuring both local and national performers, choreographers and directors. With the presentation of 10 new short dance films, the festival invites audiences to “experience dance from new angles” while encouraging innovation and experimentation, according to a press release.
Previous festivals featured talent from the Indianapolis Ballet, Dance Kaleidoscope, Butler University, Indiana University, Seda Negra/Black Silk Dance Company, Strive Dance Company and Indy Movement Arts Collective. Considering Indy Dance Film Fest’s national scope of submissions, Hoosiers will have the opportunity to hear new voices and experience the “dynamic range of human movement in film.”
“We hope this event provides even greater exposure for the artists included and establishes Indiana as a place that not only supports, but incubates, great art,” Farnsley added.
Indy Dance Film Fest takes place at 7 p.m. on Jan. 27 at Kan-Kan Cinema, 1258 Windsor St. Runtime of the festival is approximately 90 minutes, and recommended for guests aged 10 and up. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at kankanindy.com.
For more information, visit indydancecouncil.org.
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.
Chloe McGowan is the Arts & Culture Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. Originally from Columbus, OH, Chloe has a bachelor's in journalism from The Ohio State University. She is a former IndyStar Pulliam Fellow, and has previously worked for Indy Maven, The Lantern, and CityScene Media Group. In her free time, Chloe enjoys live theatre, reading, baking and keeping her plants alive.
