Bentonville Film Festival Celebrates 12th Year With Focus on Underrepresented Filmmakers and Regional Talent
The Bentonville Film Festival, founded by actress Geena Davis, is holding its 12th edition June 15-21 in Arkansas, featuring films from underrepresented creators and regional filmmakers. The festival opens with Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick's "Family Movie" and closes with Netflix's "Little House on the Prairie" reboot, alongside documentaries and world premieres. The event emphasizes diversity, with over 80 percent of competition films from female or gender non-conforming creators, and aims to amplify voices from the American heartland.
The Bentonville Film Festival, launched by Geena Davis to support underrepresented filmmakers, is entering its 12th year with a robust lineup that balances national and international films with local Arkansas talent. The festival opens with "Family Movie," a thriller directed and produced by married actors Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick, and closes with Netflix's "Little House on the Prairie" reboot. The program includes world premieres such as Catherine Hardwicke's "Street Smart," documentaries like "Give Me the Ball" about Billie Jean King, and a dedicated Homegrown Competition for Arkansas-based filmmakers. Festival artistic director Drea Clark emphasizes the importance of bringing visibility to storytellers in the Midwest and demystifying regional perceptions. The festival also features Coffee Talks with celebrity chefs Ree Drummond, Bobby Flay, and J.J. Johnson, expanding the celebration of storytelling beyond film. Demographically, over 80 percent of competition films are from female or gender non-conforming creators, with 53 percent from BIPOC, Asian, or Pacific Islander filmmakers and 40 percent from LGBTQIA+ creators.
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Bentonville Film Festival Embraces Fresh Voices and Regional Talent Drawing From Thriving Cinematic Community
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