San Francisco Dance Film Festival

09/15/2026

Even soaring heights begin with Baby steps...

Join us for a special screening of “Dirty Dancing” followed by a live Q&A with Kenny Ortega, the Emmy Award-winning choreographer who shaped every move of this iconic film, in conversation with San Francisco Chronicle columnist Tony Bravo.

VIP and Arts Patron ticket holders are invited to an exclusive afterparty following the Q&A, featuring drinks, giveaways, and a themed dance party to show off your steps.

“Dirty Dancing” with special guest Kenny Ortega
Thursday, September 17 at 7:00PM
Herbst Theatre @ War Memorial and Performing Arts Center

Tickets for the time of your life can be purchased at the link in our bio.

Thanks to our event sponsors: Bi-Rite, The Marker San Francisco, KCBS Radio, Waymo. Media Sponsor: SF Chronicle/SFGATE

09/13/2026

In Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze’s original screen test for Dirty Dancing as Johnny and Baby, you can catch choreographer Kenny Ortega close by, spotting the famous lift and giving Jennifer direction.

Watch 🤩the lift🤩 on the big screen at our one-night-only event celebrating one of the most beloved dance films ever made, including a live Q&A with Ortega himself. The evening will also mark a special milestone: the presentation of Dance Film SF’s Embodiment Award to Ortega, recognizing his extraordinary contributions to the world of dance and film.

Dirty Dancing with Kenny Ortega
September 17th, 7pm @ Herbst Theatre, San Francisco
Tickets available at sfdancefilmfest.org/dirtydancing/

Thanks to our event sponsors: Bi-Rite, The Marker San Francisco, KCBS Radio, Waymo. Media Sponsor: SF Chronicle/SFGATE

09/12/2026

Join us in welcoming choreographer KENNY ORTEGA back to San Francisco next Thursday for a special screening of one of his most iconic works, Dirty Dancing!

Even if you’re not familiar with his name, chances are you’ve seen Kenny’s incredible work. With one of the most wide-ranging careers in Hollywood history, he’s crafted movement for everything from major motion pictures (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Hocus Pocus, Pretty in Pink) to beloved Disney hits (High School Musical, Descendants, Cheetah Girls) to the world’s biggest pop stars (Madonna, Cher, Michael Jackson).

Kenny is a Bay Area native who got his start in the San Francisco arts scene. We’re honored to bring him back to where it all began and celebrate his lasting cultural contributions.

Dirty Dancing with Kenny Ortega
Thursday, September 17, 7pm
Herbst Theater, SF War Memorial

Tickets now available: https://sfdancefilmfest.org/dirtydancing/

Pictured:
1. Kenny Ortega with Zac Efron for “High School Musical”
2. Kenny Ortega with Michael Jackson for “This Is It”; with Christian Bale for “Newsies”
3. Kenny Ortega with the cast of “Descendants”
4. Kenny Ortega on the set of “Hocus Pocus”
5. Kenny Ortega with Cher

09/10/2026

SFDFF returns from October 23 through November 8, inviting you to celebrate the ever-evolving intersection of dance and film.

Tickets and Passes available now: https://sfdancefilmfest.org/fall-festival-2026/

Trailer Edit: Tim Schaller
Music: Løven by RØRE

Media Sponsors: San Francisco Chronicle/SFGATE

09/10/2026

🌟 ANNOUNCING: SFDFF 2026! 🌟

The San Francisco Dance Film Festival returns this fall for its 17th year, presenting over 80 films from around the world. The 2026 edition offers audiences a kaleidoscopic look at dance in its varied forms, from world-class ballet to endangered folkloric traditions and everything in between. With intimate documentaries, dazzling screendance, thrilling live performance captures, and much more, SFDFF 2026 invites you to celebrate the ever-evolving intersection of dance and film.

Eighteen in-person screenings will take place from October 23-November 8 at venues throughout San Francisco, featuring artist Q&As, masterclasses, and community gatherings that bring audiences and creators together. For those tuning in from afar, the Online Festival runs November 9-30.

Tickets and Passes are now live: https://sfdancefilmfest.org/fall-festival-2026/

Media Sponsors: San Francisco Chronicle/SFGATE

09/08/2026

Wise words from classically trained ballet dancer-turned-star of the unforgettable, beloved dance film Dirty Dancing, Patrick Swayze! 🌟

Tune into the magic of movement onscreen at our one-night-only screening of Dirty Dancing on Thursday, September 17, at SF’s Herbst Theatre. Plus, stay after for a live Q&A with the film’s renowned choreographer Kenny Ortega.

And the night doesn’t end there: VIP and Arts Patron ticket holders are invited to an exclusive afterparty following the Q&A, featuring drinks, giveaways, a themed dance party, and the opportunity to brush shoulders with a Hollywood legend.

Thanks to our event sponsors: Bi-Rite, The Marker San Francisco, KCBS Radio, Waymo. Media Sponsor: SF Chronicle/SFGATE

09/02/2026

Behind the scenes of "Dirty Dancing", from the choreographer himself!

Join us on September 17th for a special screening of one of the most beloved dance films ever made — and hear more stories like this from Kenny Ortega, the artist whose choreography made the film unforgettable.

A Bay Area native and one of Hollywood’s most decorated creative forces, Ortega will share behind-the-scenes stories of how the film came together, his craft of designing choreography for the camera, and personal reflections from a career that has spanned generations from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Newsies to the High School Musical trilogy and his creative partnership with Michael Jackson.

Don’t miss out — get your tickets today and have the life of your life!

🎥Dirty Dancing
🗓️September 17th, 7:00pm
📍Herbst Theatre
🎟️ https://sfdancefilmfest.org/dirtydancing/

Thanks to our event sponsors: Bi-Rite, The Marker San Francisco, KCBS Radio, Waymo. Media Sponsor: SF Chronicle/SFGATE

Dance Film SF presents one of the most iconic dance films ever made, Dirty Dancing, with a special appearance by the film’s Emmy Award-winning choreographer, Kenny Ortega.

08/28/2026

“About Face” is the first of a 3-part short film series that puts a spin on the school to prison pipeline and the role of fathers of black and brown children in the disruption of that paradigm.

Based on spoken word poetry by Marc Bamuthi Joseph, directed by YAK Films, and produced by Sozo Artists, About Face features choreographer, dancer and actor Drew Dollaz and musical score by Daniel Bernard Roumain.

The work was created in tandem with the world premiere of The Just and The Blind, an evening length performance presented to a sold out audience at Carnegie Hall. The films were created to bring the dialogue surrounding racial profiling beyond performing arts centers.

The film is also an SFDFF Award Winner - taking home the Best Screendance Film Under 10 Minutes award in 2019!

08/27/2026

Mark your calendar: we’ll announce our 2026 Festival programming in 2 weeks, on September 10th!

We can’t wait to share our spectacular lineup of 18 one-of-a-kind in-person screenings, plus streaming content. Until then, here’s a sneak peek at our opening night program: a live performance capture of the multi-award-winning ballet “Nureyev,” choreographed by Yuri Possokhov ( Choreographer in Residence) in collaboration with stage director Kirill Serebrennikov, and performed by .

A sweeping homage to one of the 20th century’s greatest dancers, the production traces Rudolf Nureyev’s rise in the Soviet Union, his dramatic defection to the West, his open expression of his homosexuality, and his influence on Western ballet.

One night only! Friday, October 23 at Lucasfilm Premier Theater. Tickets on sale September 10.