Dances With Films (DWF) has announced the film lineup for its fourth New York City edition of the bicoastal indie-film focused festival. The festival will kick off the new year as it runs January 15-18, 2026, with several feature-length narratives, documentaries and midnight movies making their debut.

The festival will also feature pilots, family films and short films during the cinema showcase that DWF provides. The event is the only true-indie film festival with a foothold in both Los Angeles and New York City. As in years past, all screenings during the New York edition will take place at the Regal Union Square theater.

Dominik Sedlar’s ‘Vindicta’ is the Opening Night feature selection. Salvatore Sciortino’s ‘Roof’ will make its world premiere as the Closing Night selection.

DWF is now entrenched as a go-to film festival platforming true-indies. In less than five years, it has taken its place alongside NYFF and Tribeca as a prime launching pad and showcase for cinema. It introduces fresh, new filmmaking talent on a big stage for audiences and critics.

This year‘s highly anticipated DWF NY lineup includes 157 films, including 20 narrative, nine documentary and 4 midnight features, 21 television and streaming pilots and six family films. There are also 97 short films on the schedule, which includes 56 narrative, 15 documentary and 26 midnight features).

In addition to Sciortino’s ‘Roof,’ additional feature length films making their world premieres are Geoffrey Davin’s ‘Aliens Are Coming!! On Monday!!!,’ Walter Kim’s ‘Banana Split,’ Colmcille Donston’s ‘By the Grape of God,’ Peter Odiorne’s ‘The Cereal Aisle Effect,’ Craig Downing’s ‘Dad Genes,’ David Michán and Ed Alexander’s ‘The Girl Inside the Photograph,’ Isabelle

Armand and Glendora Collaborative’s ‘Glendora,’ Ilan Azoulai’s ‘Holy Ghetto,’ Alexandra Speith’s ‘I Know Exactly How You Die,’ Nicholas Pineda’s ‘Infirmary,’ Jamie and Jason Neese’s ‘Kratom: Side Effects May Include,’ Zach Schnitzer’s ‘Loafers,’ Dana Reilly’s ‘Our Body Electric,’ Chloe Lenihan’s ‘Smile… The Worst is Yet to Come,’ Paul Schwartz’s ‘Stop Time,’ Sabbuur Ikhlas’ ‘Untouchables: The Story of St. Benedict’s Fencing’ and Mirza Esho’s ‘Where Sweet Dreams Die.’

Television, web series pilots and episodics making their world premieres include Dan Angelucci’s ‘Bigg County Restorations’ – Pilot, Blake Sherwyn’s ‘Chet Bond: License to Chill,’ Ron L. Wilson’s ‘Clear & Far,’ Lauren Reins’ ‘Enneagram in Movement’ – ‘The Achiever,’ MJ

Bernier and Emily Draper ‘Farther Along,’ Henry Parker-Elder and Shaun Wu’s ‘Henry by the Hour’ – Episode 5, Joanna Harmon, Noah Bremer and Nic Murphy in ‘Character – Episode 1: The Birthday,’ Adrienne Lunson’s Kenji’s ‘he Dedication,’ Mariah Marasco’s mockumentary

‘Misguided,’ John Mossman’s ‘Nobody F*cking Leaves,’ Matthew Avant’s ‘Roots & Relics’ and Tyler Rubner’s ‘Winnie.’

DWF’s rapid growth in New York City, along with its current place as L.A.’s top film festival for platforming truly independent filmmaking, makes the event the only film festival organization offering discovery titles in major film festival events in both cities. Showcasing brand new work by filmmakers on both coasts, most of which have yet to be seen or picked up for distribution, has become a hallmark for DWF’s Founders and Directors, Leslee Scallon and Michael Trent.

Scallon and Trent said, “Being at the start of the year for the first time emphasizes fresh starts and kicking off new projects and Dances With Films has always been about discovering new talent and providing a platform for new films to help them get distribution and representation furthering their careers. Our New York City fests share the energy and excitement the city is known for, which just emphasizes the thrill of seeing great new work and helping our ever-growing family of filmmakers take their next steps toward realizing their dreams.”

The event’s Opening Night on Thursday, January 15 will feature Sedlar’s ‘Vindicta.’ The vengeance drama begins when a young girl’s parents are murdered in front of her. After she escapes, she seeks refuge with family friends before embarking on a campaign of revenge towards those responsible for destroying her life. An unlikely connection with a handsome young Nazi officer brings introduces an unexpected possibility of romance. However, she’s still consumed by vengeance at any cost, no matter what or when. The war thriller stars Devon Ross, Jack Bandeira, and Pip Torrens.

The event’s Closing Night on Sunday, January 18 will feature the world premiere of Sciortino’s ‘Roof. The high-tension survival tale focuses on two co-workers who discover they’ve become trapped on the roof of a skyscraper. The inconvenience becomes a fight for survival over the course of a long, hot holiday weekend. As they attempt increasingly dangerous ways to escape and survive, they form a unique and unexpected friendship. The drama stars Asif Ali and Bella Heathcote.

For more information on DWF, including the full schedule and events, and how to buy tickets for its New York event next month, visit the event’s official website.