Indian Films Association

What Indian Films Association does

Dance Films Association, doing business as Dance on Camera (DOC), is a New York-based nonprofit arts organization founded in 1951 that operates the world's longest-running dance film festival (53 editions since 1971) along with a portfolio of complementary programs. The organization serves filmmakers, choreographers, dancers, curators, students, and arts institutions working at the intersection of dance and film through five core offerings: the annual Dance on Camera Festival at Symphony Space, Production Grants for filmmakers at all stages of production, Dance Film Labs for moderated works-in-progress screenings at Gibney Dance Center, year-round DOC Presents screenings, and a three-tier membership program (Student $35, Individual $75, Organization $125 annually). It has supported or produced 1,135+ films since inception and previously co-presented its festival with Film at Lincoln Center from 1996 to 2024 before transitioning to Symphony Space for 2026.

The organization does not build proprietary technology platforms; its digital infrastructure relies on third-party tools including Givebutter for donations, PayPal for membership billing, Submittable for grant and lab applications, and Vimeo for content distribution. Its competitive advantage rests on brand heritage, a curated content archive, and a multi-program community ecosystem rather than any technology moat.

Dance on Camera's revenue model is diversified across small-dollar donations, recurring annual memberships, festival ticket and pass sales, and production grant submission fees. Membership is the gating mechanism for grant eligibility, creating a continuous engagement loop with filmmakers and choreographers. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors and advised by an International Advisory Board, with leadership including Executive Director Cara Hagan, President Renata Sheppard, and Consulting Administrator Michele Thompson. There is no parent organization or venture backing.

Name

Indian Films Association

Legal name

Dance Films Association

Website

https://dancefilms.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1951

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Dance on Camera (Dance Films Association) is a New York nonprofit founded in 1951 that runs the world's longest-running dance film festival and complementary programs — production grants, film labs, year-round screenings, and memberships — serving filmmakers, choreographers, dancers, and curators.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Dance Film Festival & Arts Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Exhibition (51213), Performing Arts Companies (7111), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture Theaters (7830)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYMPADAKAD

Film Festivals & Festival Organizers

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Film & Video Production/Distribution/Exhibition (Cinemas, Film Festivals, Screenings)

SECONDARYMPAGADAJ

Dance Festivals & Dance Series

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Live Entertainment & Events (Concerts, Theater, Festivals)/Dance & Ballet Performances

SECONDARYMPADAAAO

Grant Funding & Public/Nonprofit Financing

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Film & Video Production/Distribution/Film Development & Financing

SECONDARYMPADAKAF

Screening Rooms & Cinematheques (Nonprofit/Institutional)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Film & Video Production/Distribution/Exhibition (Cinemas, Film Festivals, Screenings)

Keywords

• Dance film festival
• Production grants
• Dance film labs
• Film screening series
• Artist membership programs

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: The organization accepts donations through Givebutter at multiple tiers ($25 Basic, $50 Mid, $100 Large, and Custom amounts). Donations support programs and resources for dance filmmakers.
2. Memberships: Annual membership fees provide access to submission discounts for the Production Grant program, free or discounted workshops and events, and affiliate partner offers. Three tiers: Student ($35/year), Individual ($75/year), and Organization ($125/year).
3. Festival Tickets and Passes: The annual Dance on Camera Festival generates revenue through single program ticket sales and festival passes. The 2026 festival takes place February 6-9 at Symphony Space in NYC.
4. Production Grant Submission Fees: Production Grants are open exclusively to Dance on Camera members. The application window typically opens in early Spring, with grants awarded annually to support filmmakers at all stages of production.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Indian Films Association operates as a nonprofit arts organization that presents the world's longest-running dance film festival (Dance on Camera), awards production grants to dance filmmakers, runs professional development Dance Film Labs, and curates year-round screening programs (DOC Presents). The organization supports the creation, exhibition, and preservation of dance on camera through these programs and a membership-based community for individual artists and institutional partners.

Product overview

Dance on Camera is a nonprofit cultural organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs centered on dance film. The core offerings include the annual Dance on Camera Festival (the world's longest-running dance film festival since 1971), Production Grants providing funding for filmmakers, Dance Film Labs offering moderated work-in-progress screenings, DOC Presents for year-round special screenings, and tiered Memberships providing access to benefits and grant eligibility. These programs collectively support filmmakers working at the intersection of dance and film, from production through presentation and audience connection.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Dance on Camera Festival An annual dance film festival showcasing new short and feature-length dance films from around the world, presenting curated film programs, filmmaker Q&As, awards, and panels for dance filmmakers, choreographers, and audiences. Held annually at Symphony Space in New York City.
• Production Grants Cash awards and post-production support provided to dance filmmakers to fund the creation and finishing of short dance films. Targeted at emerging and established dance filmmakers producing new work.
• Dance Film Labs A professional development program offering workshops, mentorship, panel discussions, and peer feedback sessions to dance filmmakers, choreographers, and media artists developing dance film projects. Held at Gibney Dance Center in New York City.
• DOC Presents A year-round screening series presenting curated dance films at partner venues and online, expanding access to dance cinema beyond the annual festival. For dance filmmakers, choreographers, audiences, and partner organizations.
• Membership Program Annual membership tiers for individual artists/students and organizations/corporations, providing benefits such as festival discounts, submission privileges, access to labs, networking, and recognition on the organization's website.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,135+ films produced or supported across the organization's history
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Film at Lincoln CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1996Film at Lincoln Center has co-presented the Dance on Camera Festival with Dance on Camera from 1996 to 2024. This long-standing partnership has provided institutional credibility, venue support, and audience reach for the festival in New York City's premier film presentation venue.
• Symphony SpacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSymphony Space in New York City hosts the Dance on Camera Festival starting with the 2026 edition. The venue serves as the primary screening location for the annual festival, selling tickets and passes to festival attendees.
• Gibney Dance CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGibney Dance Center (280 Broadway, New York, NY) serves as the venue for Dance Film Labs workshops. The labs are moderated screenings of works in progress led by industry professionals, providing a creative space for filmmakers to share experiences and receive feedback.
• Film Venues and Educational Institutions (International)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDance on Camera provides additional screening opportunities for filmmakers through partnerships with film venues and educational institutions around the world. This distribution network extends the reach of dance films beyond the annual NYC festival.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Cinedans (Amsterdam International Dance Film Festival): Amsterdam-based international dance film festival presenting curated dance films, workshops, and labs. Directly comparable as a peer international dance-on-film festival with a similar curatorial and grant programming model.
• Dance Camera West: Los Angeles-based dance film festival presenting screendance and dance film programming alongside filmmaker discussions. Directly comparable as a peer US dance film festival in a competing media market.
• DC Dance Film Festival: Washington DC-based annual dance film festival screening shorts, documentaries, and features focused on movement. Directly comparable as a competing US dance film festival with similar programming, screening, and submission model.
• American Dance Festival (Movies by Movers): Hosts Movies by Movers, a dance film festival previously directed by Dance on Camera's current Executive Director Cara Hagan. Directly comparable as an institutional dance organization programming dance-on-screen work for public audiences.

Broad incumbents

• Performa: NYC nonprofit producing a biennial of live performance across dance, music, theater, and visual art. Comparable as an NYC nonprofit presenting interdisciplinary and dance-adjacent performance programming to similar arts audiences.
• BRIC Arts Media: Brooklyn-based nonprofit presenting performing arts, film, and media programming across multiple disciplines. Comparable as a NYC-based multi-discipline nonprofit arts presenter with adjacent film programming.
• Film at Lincoln Center: Long-standing co-presentation partner of Dance on Camera from 1996 to 2024. Comparable as a broader film presentation institution with overlapping program categories (festival co-presentation, year-round screenings).

Others

• Symphony Space: NYC venue hosting the Dance on Camera Festival beginning in 2026. Comparable as a venue partner whose facility enables the organization's primary live event programming.
• Gibney Dance Center: NYC dance center hosting Dance Film Labs workshops. Comparable as a venue partner for the organization's work-in-progress programming and a peer presenting organization in the NYC dance ecosystem.

Emerging players

• Danspace Project: NYC-based platform for independent dancemakers presenting choreographic and movement-based work. Comparable as a peer NYC dance-focused presenter serving overlapping artist communities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/dancefilmsassociation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dance-films-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Indian Films Association