“Good Side of Bad” will kick off the 26th annual Dances With Film independent film festival on June 22. (photo courtesy of Dances With Film)

Dances With Film aka DWF:LA is about to unleash its 26th annual independent film festival from June 22-July 2 at the TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood. Always prioritizing important storytelling above all else, this year’s theme of “Peace, Love, & Celluloid” is a nod to some of its powerful programming that promotes healing, highlights social justice and celebrates inclusivity and diversity.

“Looking toward our next quarter century, with a 26th Annual slate highlighting more than 100 world premieres, we are proud to present a lineup of diverse voices that not only deliver new levels of entertainment and unique stories but focus on local and global social issues that impact everyone on our planet,” festival founders Leslee Scallon, Michael Trent said. “Dances With Film has always been about true discovery, this year we challenge audiences to discover something about themselves.”

The festival will open with the world premiere of “Good Side of Bad,” a powerful drama based on the award-winning novel of the same name by Beverly Olevin. Directed by Alethea Root and starring Jules Bruff (“Zodiac”), Lexi Simonsen (“S.W.A.T.”), Alex Quijano (“High School Musical: The Series”) and Academy Award-nominee Tess Harper (“Crimes of the Heart,” “No Country For Old Men”), the film depicts a raw and intimate look into what it means to be a family navigating the waters of mental illness. Closing out the festival is “Home Free” by first time director Aaron Brown and writer Lenny Barszap, a social impact Trojan horse disguised as a coming-of-age college comedy with a focus on homelessness.

You can check out the entire film slate at danceswithfilms.com. The TCL Chinese Theater is located at 6925 Hollywood Blvd.