The Bentonville Film Festival Celebrates 10 Years of Cinematic Excellence
Mark your calendars for June 10-16, 2024, as the Bentonville Film Festival is set to return for its 10th anniversary, bringing along a decade-long celebration of extraordinary storytelling and cinematic powerhouse!
Innovative Performances and Panels
The festival’s packed schedule includes a spectacular performance by singer-songwriter Linda Perry, as well as panels that delve into cutting-edge topics such as AI in storytelling and the portrayal of women in STEM on screen. Geena Davis, along with actors Cassandra Freeman, Tika Sumpter, and Michaela Watkins, will reimagine traditional comedic narratives with an all-women cast at the popular Geena and Friends event.
Grant Awards for Emerging Filmmakers
As part of the festival’s mission to promote underrepresented voices, the BFFoundation has announced two filmmaking grants totaling ,000. The M&M’S For All Funkind Grant and the See It, Be It, Make It Filmmaker Grant presented by NBCUniversal saw Gabrielle Roberts and the team behind Nuked emerge as the second annual beneficiaries, respectively.
Access and Inclusion
This year, the festival is taking it a step further by introducing the alumni showcase program. It aims to celebrate the festival’s 10-year anniversary and showcase works from filmmakers who have been part of the event over the years. To further enhance accessibility, outdoor screenings of famous films like “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1” and “Beetlejuice” will be held at The Momentary, accompanied by interactive activities for children at a “festival village.”
Networking and Career Opportunities
The festival has also arranged exclusive live pitch sessions with top television, new media, and digital professionals for selected filmmakers. Additionally, panels like “Breaking Barriers: Finding Your Voice and Paving Your Own Career Path” offer valuable insights and career advice from influential women leaders in the industry.
History and Progress
Since its inception, the Bentonville Film Festival has emerged as a significant platform for showcasing groundbreaking films and fostering meaningful conversations on various aspects of filmmaking. With over 75 feature films and 50 shorts set to be screened, this year’s festival promises to be the biggest and most impactful yet!
Celebrating Diversity, Championing Inclusion
At the heart of it all is the unwavering commitment of the Bentonville Film Festival to address the underrepresentation of women and other marginalized groups in the film industry. Festival passes and individual tickets are now on sale, making it easier for audiences from all walks of life to participate and engage with this magnificent celebration of diverse storytelling.
Geena Davis Honored
Academy Award-winning actor Geena Davis will be honored with Variety’s Creative Impact in Leadership Award on Monday, June 10, further recognizing her extraordinary contributions to championing inclusion in entertainment.
