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DANCE FILMS ASSOCIATION INC

NEW YORK, NY · EIN 136125002 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE A31Z · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Small ($100K-$1M) · dancefilms.org
revenue
$122K
expenses
$97K
net assets
$145K
employees
4
volunteers
5
program ratio
55%
mission · from form 990

SEE PART III, LINE 1 ON NEXT PAGE

profile · synthesized from sources

DANCE FILMS ASSOCIATION INC supports the creation and exhibition of dance-based film through grantmaking, festival programming, and community engagement. Based in New York, it operates primarily through its Dance On Camera program, which funds independent filmmakers and hosts an annual festival showcasing dance films from around the world. The organization serves choreographers, filmmakers, and interdisciplinary artists working at the intersection of dance and cinema.

named programs · 2 · from sources

What they call their work

Dance On Camera Festival
Annual international festival showcasing dance films; features screenings, including works by grant recipients, and provides visibility and audience feedback for emerging and established filmmakers.
Production Grants
Annual grant program supporting Dance On Camera Members in completing dance film projects; includes a Full Production Grant, honorary awards, and an Honorable Mention with in-progress screening at the festival.
activities · 3 groups

What they do

  • Film Festival and Screening Programming 4 activities
    • Expands reach of dance films through international screenings and partnerships
      Screens dance films at international festivals such as Dance Camera West, San Luis Obispo Film Festival, and Seattle Black Film Festival; facilitates broader access through partnerships with global film venues and educational institutions.
    • Hosts and co-curates the Dance on Camera Festival in New York City
      Presents annual screenings of feature-length dance films, shorts, documentaries, filmmaker panels, and special events over a four-day festival in New York City; co-presented with Film at Lincoln Center from 1996 to 2024. Includes moderated discussions, media installations, and networking opportunities for filmmakers and audiences.
    • Organizes Dance Film Labs for filmmakers
      Hosts three annual Dance Film Labs that provide in-progress screenings and moderated feedback sessions for filmmakers working at the intersection of dance and film; offers space to discuss artistic and technical challenges. Labs are free for members and scheduled annually, including in June and July 2026.
    • Provides professional development and networking for dance filmmakers
      Offers workshops, discounted events, panel discussions, and receptions that connect dance filmmakers with peers, industry experts, and knowledgeable audiences; increases media exposure by presenting work to press outlets.
  • Documentary Film Production 1 activity
    • Produces and directs dance-related documentaries
      Creates documentary films focused on dance, including The Nutcracker Family – Behind the Magic (2006) and Felia Doubrovska Remembered (2008), contributing to the preservation and presentation of dance history and practice.
  • Film Production Funding and Fiscal Sponsorship 1 activity
    • Supports dance filmmakers through grants
      Awards an annual Full Production Grant to one filmmaker and honorary awards to two recipients, with an additional honorable mention; provides further support through in-progress screenings at the Dance on Camera Festival. Also offers production grants to members via an application process.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$122K
Contributions & grants$106K87%
Program service revenue$15K12%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$756
expenses
Total expenses$97K
Program expenses55%
Admin / overhead27%
Fundraising18%
Salaries & benefits$54K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$149K
Cash$142K
Investments$0
Liabilities$4K
Net assets$145K
Liquid reserves17.5 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -0.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 2
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
MICHELE THOMPSON EXEUXUTIVE DIRECTOR 40 $34K
CARA HAGAN TREASURER 2 $9K
board members · 2
  • DAVID NINH — SECRETARY
  • SHAWN T BIBLE — PRESIDENT
relationships · 8

Who they work with

  • American Dance Festival Partner — Hosted the Movies by Movers film festival under its auspices starting in 2015.
  • Dance On Camera Network — DANCE FILMS ASSOCIATION INC operates the Dance On Camera Festival and offers Production Grants through this program.
  • Film at Lincoln Center Partner — Co-presented the Dance On Camera Festival from 1996 to 2024.
  • Gibney Dance Center Partner — Hosts Dance Film Labs at its studio space in New York City.
  • Lincoln Center Partner — Co-presents the Dance on Camera Festival.
  • Shawn Bible Partner — Serves as moderator for the 2025 Dance Film Labs.
  • Surala Consulting Partner — Provides development consulting services to the organization.
  • public programming Partner — Collaborates with public programming initiatives to share dance-focused films.
strategies · 3

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Artist-Centered Grant and Feedback Support
    methodology: artist-centered support
    By providing production grants and work-in-progress feedback workshops, the organization enables filmmakers to realize their visions and improve their craft, because sustained, tailored support increases artistic quality and project completion.
  • Interdisciplinary Collaboration as Creative Catalyst
    methodology: interdisciplinary-collaboration
    By fostering collaboration between dance and film artists, the organization produces innovative works and advances both art forms, because cross-disciplinary exchange generates new creative possibilities and elevates artistic excellence.
  • Strategic Audience and Community Engagement
    methodology: audience-engagement-through-programming
    By curating screenings, fostering dialogue, and building a multidisciplinary community, the organization increases visibility and sustainability of dance films, because connecting artists with engaged audiences and peers strengthens impact and encourages continued innovation.