Dances with Films (DWF:LA) Returns to the TCL Chinese Theatre for Their 24th Year and Introduces Their 'First Films' Series Honoring Oscar nominees Paul Greengrass and Michael London

    LOS ANGELES, CA, August 25, 2021 /24-7PressRelease/ -- For their 24th year, Dances with Films (DWF:LA) is expanding to three weeks at the famed TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood from August 26 – September 12. To celebrate being back in person, after last year's virtual festival, this year's theme of "Let's Get Physical Tour" celebrates being together in person again with the Indie Film community.

DWF:LA Founder Leslee Scallon elaborates saying "Film lovers and filmmakers all realize that DWF's 'Let's Get Physical Tour' is going to be extraordinary as we engage, safely, with the creators of amazing content, from narrative features to documentaries, even Webisodes and films created by kids! Dances With Films has always been one of a kind, from our inception in 1998 to today, we show the films that aren't going to be at the multi-plex next week. We at Dances With Films are proud to be amongst the first to open the theatre doors and start watching movies again the way they should be seen - on the big screen." Festival Producing Partner Jackie Tepper continues "I'm so happy to be back at the Chinese Theater, and even happier to be able to give the filmmakers and festival goers an in person live event. We saw more submissions than ever before, and the bar was raised. We wanted to come back bigger than ever and give some of the filmmakers who didn't have the opportunity to experience screening their film in a theater last year, the ability to do so. We are ready to rock and roll on the DWF:LA "Let's Get Physical Tour.""

DWF:LA is excited to announce the launch of a new annual series titled 'First Films' which will bring in established filmmakers to showcase one of their earlier films and talk about their Hollywood journey. This year's honorees are Oscar nominees Paul Greengrass and Michael London. On September 1st, Michael London will discuss his incredible rise in the film industry, moderated by Executive Producer/Writer John McNamara, followed by a screening of his award-winning film "Trumbo." Paul Greengrass will be joining DWF:LA live via satellite, with moderator Producer Lloyd Levin, from London followed by a screening of his Oscar nominated film "United 93" on the 20th anniversary of 9/11.

Both honorees are excited to join DWF:LA with Greengrass expressing that "I'm thrilled to be part of an event that inspires new and emerging film makers, and I hope my adventures in film making encourage those starting their journey to trust in their personal visions and enjoy every moment of it!" London continues the sentiment saying, "I'm thrilled to have a chance to talk about early inspirations with the festival audience, especially with those new and up and going filmmakers who are probably in the midst of discovering their own inspirations and aspirations."

With over 4,000 submissions annually, this year's festival will showcase 40 Narrative Features, 100 Narrative Shorts, 31 Documentaries, 30 Midnight, 26 Downbeat, 27 pilots, and 23 Dances with Kids (Stories about kids as well as stories by kids for kids). Recently named one of the Top 10 Festival in the Nation by USA Today, DWF:LA has been going strong, and growing, for 24 years.

DWF:LA is one of the largest festivals of its kind in the United States and remains dedicated to creating opportunities and launching careers of exceptionally talented artists based on their talent alone. DWF:LA's Advisory Board includes Effie Brown, Cindy Cowan, Jonathan Dana, Steve Elzer, Jane Fleming, Kevin Kasha, Adam Krentzman, Eriq La Salle, Mike Macari, Michael Lehmann, Valerie McCaffrey, Joel Ordesky, Mark Ordesky, Melissa Orlen, Will Scheffer, Mark V. Olsen, Hilton Smith, David Spiegelman, Steve Tisch, Ruth Vitale, Steve Wegner.

The public can purchase tickets to the 'Film First' series, as well as screenings of this year's films, by visiting the DWF:LA website here: https://danceswithfilms.com/home-2021/

For media/interview inquiries please contact Tad Hamilton of Mosaic PR – [email protected]

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