San Francisco Dance Film Festival

Thursday, Oct. 4, through Oct. 14. $13$75. Brava Theater Center, 2781 24th St., S.F., and various venues. 844-567-3333. www.sfdancefilmfest.org This year’s ninth annual festival spans two weeks, with feature-length documentaries, performance captures, live performances, gallery screenings and more. Here are a few of the highlights. Events take place at the Brava unless otherwise noted — check website for details.

“BaseBallet”

screens on Oct. 11, on a shared a bill with two films by Swedish choreographer Alexander Ekman: “Creative: Alexander Ekman’s Study in Creativity” and the world premiere of the S.F.-filmed “Ekman’s Concise Guide to Natural Movement.” Myles Thatcher and Quinn Wharton’s short film “Body of Your Dreams,” and a performance by BenNeedham Wood and Brandon “Private” Freeman, round out the evening.

Opening Night:

Alexander Ekman is the festival’s unofficial resident artist, and opening night features the world premiere of filmmaker T.M. Rives’ documentary “Play Serious,” about Ekman choreographing “Play” for Paris Opera Ballet. A Q&A and cocktails follow. 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 4. Taube Atrium Theater, 401 Van Ness Ave.

“Perfectly Normal for Me”:

At an afterschool dance program in Queens, N.Y., kids ages 5-15 with physical and developmental challenges find inclusion as they work toward a recital. The documentary screens in an accessible theater with assistive listening. 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 7. Free. Koret Auditorium, S.F. Public Library, 100 Larkin St.

Filmmakers Forum:

Music supervisor Brooke Wentz discusses music rights for film and video (10:30-11:30 a.m.), then composer Carl Sandrol and choreographer Sandy Silva talk about their filmmaking and scoring process (noon-1:30 p.m.). Oct. 12. Free; register online.

Shorts, Shorts, Shorts:

Themed programs include films from China, films blending music and movement, films shot in intriguing locations, narrative films and films on social justice, and filmmakers from around the world will be on hand. Various dates and times.

“American Tap”:

Harvard philosopher Dr. Cornel West is among the thought leaders who unpack the lineage of tap in Mike Wilkinson’s 90-minute documentary, which traces the art form from minstrelsy through the Jazz Age to the 21st century. Tappers Ricky Huang and Michela Marino Lerman perform live. 6:30 p.m. Oct. 12.

Closing Night:

The always-festive finale showcases locally produced short films, commissions by Embodiment Project’s Nicole Klaymoon and Mike Esperanza of New York’s Bare Dance Company, juried awards and lots of libations, plus a performance by Oakland’s Dimensions Dance Theater. 6 p.m. Oct. 14.