The third year of the Bentonville Film Festival will see the expansion of youth initiatives to further the festival's ethos of inspiring young minds.
"If they can see it, they can be it," says Gina Allgaier, chief engagement officer with the festival. "We want to help elevate what's going on already in the region with kids, and the arts especially. One of our goals is have a positive impact on the next generation -- the future workforce. So inspiring kids to be their most creative, productive, talented self is a win-win for everybody in the future."
That goal will be pursued with more opportunities for kids to be involved in special programming at the festival, including Kidsfest moving from the Pinnacle Hills Mall to the Bentonville downtown square to foster greater engagement. STEM to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) components will also offer hands-on experience in these disciplines in the fun environment of a festival. And the superhero theme at the family-friendly "League of Their Own" anniversary softball game plays into that idea of supporting kids in their unique talents as well.
"We all have talents and strengths, and we're all valuable," Allgaier says. There is "a lot of fantastic work going on empowering kids, letting students know it's OK to be different, and to share that light [they] have with others."
But of course the festival isn't just for kids. Besides the films themselves, the six days of the fest are jam-packed with events celebrating diversity, lifting up women and exploring ways we can continue moving toward equality and positive, realistic imagery. Here are some highlights:
WEDNESDAY
"Does That Include Me?"
WHAT -- Panel: Geena Davis leads a panel dedicated to diversity, exposing the implicit human bias, encouraging connection, empathy and more.
WHEN -- 10 a.m. Wednesday
WHERE -- The Record, 104 S.W. A Street
CELEBRITY SIGHTING* -- Geena Davis
COST -- $10-$15
"Lights! Camera! Inclusion!"
WHAT -- Panel: Inclusion Films was founded to support and empower individuals with developmental disabilities.
WHEN -- 11 a.m. Wednesday
WHERE -- The Record
CELEBRITY SIGHTING* -- Joey Travolta, Jane Seymour, Maysoon Zayid
COST -- $10-$15
"Stories Matter"
WHAT -- Panel: Storytelling is the oldest form of entertainment. A handful of the industry's best wordsmiths examine the written word as one of the most effective tools for social change.
WHEN -- Noon Wednesday
WHERE -- The Record
CELEBRITY SIGHTING* -- William H. Macy
COST -- $10-$15
"STEAM Live: Rob Shirakbari"
WHAT -- Live music: Rob Shirakbari is the music director for pop/soul icon Dionne Warwick and the producer, arranger and songwriting partner for UK artist Rumer.
WHEN -- 3 p.m. Wednesday; 3 p.m. Friday
WHERE -- STEAM Lounge Stage
COST -- Free
THURSDAY
"In Control Of Her Own Destiny"
WHAT -- Panel: What would happen if we gave all young girls the ability to forge their own path, free from the weight of implicit bias? These women share the tools they use in their personal and professional lives to make that possibility a reality.
WHEN -- 11 a.m. Thursday
WHERE -- The Record
CELEBRITY SIGHTING* -- Geena Davis, Judy Greer, Emme
COST -- $10-$15
"STEAM Live: Song Suffragettes"
WHAT -- Live music: Song Suffragettes are talented young country performers.
WHEN -- 2 & 6 p.m. Thursday; 2 p.m. Friday; 12:20 p.m. Saturday
WHERE -- STEAM Lounge Stage
COST -- Free
"Geena and Friends"
WHAT -- Special event: Each year, Geena Davis and a handful of celebrity friends come together to swap gender roles while reading scenes from some of Hollywood's favorite scripts.
WHEN -- 4 p.m. Thursday
WHERE -- The Record
CELEBRITY SIGHTING* -- Geena Davis, Meg Ryan, Melissa Fumero, Olivia Washington, Stephanie Beatriz
COST -- $11.50-$16.50
FRIDAY
"STEM to STEAM"
WHAT -- Panel: Adding the "A" for Arts to STEM creates STEAM. This panel is dedicated to demonstrating why the Arts are just as essential as the disciplines of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.
WHEN -- 12:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE -- The Record
COST -- $10-$15
May 6
"Game Changers"
WHAT -- Panel: Success in sports hinges on teamwork and collaboration. These game changers discuss what inspired them to accomplish the incredible.
WHEN -- 11:30 a.m. May 6
WHERE -- The Record
CELEBRITY SIGHTING* -- Eric LaMarque, Rebecca Rusch
COST -- $10-$15
"Samsung Create Short Film Competition"
WHAT -- Special event: Area student filmmakers were challenged to make a short film based on the mission of BFF.
WHEN -- 2:30 p.m. May 6
WHERE -- The Record
COST -- $10-$15
"Through Our Lenses"
WHAT -- Panel: A Snapchat-made documentary told by 25 individuals inviting us to get a glimpse of their daily life.
WHEN -- 4 p.m. May 6
WHERE -- Walmart Museum World Room
COST -- Free
- Celebrity participation subject to change.
-- JOCELYN MURPHY
NAN What's Up on 04/28/2017