A town without a traditional movie theater will host at least 50 films later this year.
Officials from entertainment and media firm ARC Entertainment today announced the first Bentonville Film Festival, scheduled for May 5-9. The event will partner with the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media and focus on films featuring women or minority cast, writers or crew members.
Davis, an Academy Award-winning actress, will host the event and preside over its award ceremony.
ARC chief executive officer Trevor Drinkwater said plans for the festival have been ongoing for about a year. Drinkwater worked at Nestle and visited Bentonville several times as part of the Walmart vendor community before launching his film distribution and concert production company in Santa Monica, Calif.
When he searched for locations for a new festival, he landed on Bentonville, which he choose on account of its central location and recent growth, including Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art just to the north of the square.
"It's (Bentonville) such as charming town, and it represents America so well," Drinkwater said.
Drinkwater said he has known Davis for several years and has always been inspired by her dedication to causes. The festival shares a focus with the actress' institute, which aims to educate patrons and the media about the lack of women in prominent entertainment industry roles. Films included in the inaugural festival must meet several criteria related to gender or minority representation.
"I have been an advocate for women for most of my adult life," Davis said in the press release announcing the festival. "The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media is dedicated to improving the representation in gender and diversity of talent, filmmakers, and business leaders by growing awareness through research, education and advocacy. The Bentonville Film Festival is a critical component of how we can directly impact the quantity and quality of females and minorities on screen and behind-the scenes."
Films will be accepted starting Jan. 15, and those accepted will be announced in March.
Davis leads the festival and serves as host, and stars such as Angela Bassett, Samuel L. Jackson, Natalie Portman and Shailene Woodley will serve in various capacities on an advisory board.
Along with those names, corporate sponsors for the festival were named in Tuesday morning's announcement. Walmart serves as a sponsor, as does AMC Theaters and Coca-Cola.
The festival will show 50-75 of the films submitted for consideration. Drinkwater said the festival will use a combination of "unconventional" venues for the screenings. Most of the venues are within walking distance of the square, Drinkwater said. He said some available spaces will be converted into viewing areas and theaters such as those at Old High Middle School and the Arend Arts Center will be used.
Bentonville Convention and Visitors Bureau president Kalene Griffith expects national and even international attention for the festival.
"I think it's going to generate an economic benefit," Griffith said. She also believes the panel discussions, various volunteer duties and family events will provide educational opportunities.
"It creates an opportunity for the community to get involved," Griffith said.
Local filmmaker Larry Foley, winner of several Emmy Awards for his documentaries, said there should be a strong market for the festival.
"I'm personally excited to see the coming of the Bentonville Film Festival. For years, there has been a keen interest in film in Northwest Arkansas -- a thirst for something like this -- and I predict the festival will be well attended. I look forward to attending and I bet others in Northwest Arkansas feel the same," said Foley, who's not involved with the festival.
Seedling Film Festival executive director Jules Taylor said she's only now learning of the event. But she said the festival to the north will not change Seedling's mission and will only help the Offshoot Film Festival, a fall event produced by Seedling with an emphasis in Arkansas-made films. The expansion of the film community helps everyone, she said.
"Seedling is only enhanced by bringing in a festival," Taylor said.
Tickets for the Bentonville Film Festival are expected to go on sale in February, Drinkwater said.
NW News on 01/07/2015