Walton Arts Center has partnered with Fayetteville Film Fest to bring an evening of narrative and documentary films created by Arkansas filmmakers on Friday, Feb. 25, at 7 pm.
Fayetteville Film Fest selected five titles for inclusion in Arkansas Filmmakers Showcase that will be screened in two blocks with a 15-minute intermission.
“The films selected for this year’s Arkansas Filmmakers Showcase shine a light on the incredible range of filmmaking talent across the state of Arkansas,” said Russell Sharman, co-executive director of the Fayetteville Film Fest.
This is an exciting event for Fayetteville, Northwest Arkansas and Arkansas as a whole. Walton Arts Center is thrilled to host the Arkansas Filmmakers Showcase and recently sat down with Russell to learn more about the films selected for this event.
WAC: Why is it exciting or important to highlight Arkansas filmmakers?
Russell: The Arkansas film industry continues to grow at an exciting pace, with more national and international productions finding their way to the state - and to Northwest Arkansas in particular - every year. But we’ve also seen incredible growth in the local filmmaking community over the past decade.
Still shot from the film Session 1 by Arkansas filmmaker Jazymne Black
Those two trends work together in a kind of artistic and commercial ecosystem. The more local productions generate talented and well-trained crew, not to mention quality, award-winning content that showcases the region, the more attractive the state becomes to outside investment from studios and production companies. Celebrating and nurturing that homegrown filmmaking community is an integral part of that ecosystem. And that’s what regional, grassroots film festivals like the Fayetteville Film Fest, and so many others, are all about. It’s not just getting to screen films you might not otherwise have the chance to see. It’s about celebrating and nurturing that community.
WAC: Were most of these films also shot or cast in Arkansas?
Russell: All 5 of the films in the Arkansas Filmmakers program were shot right here in Arkansas.
Still shot from the film Good Gorgeous Hell shot in Fayetteville by Arkansas filmmaker Reed Cash Carson
WAC: Can you tell readers about the process by which these films have been chosen?
Russell: Each year we screen dozens of amazing short and feature length content at the Fayetteville Film Fest. And we always highlight which films have an Arkansas connection so our audience can experience just how amazing the homegrown talent can be. For this program, we selected a few films that we felt represented the broadest possible range of Arkansas-based cinema from our most recent fest. We couldn’t be more excited to give audiences another chance to experience these little cinematic gems on the big screen.
WAC: What was the criteria for film submissions to be considered?
Movie poster from the film And the Winner Is by Arkansas filmmaker Michael Day
Russell: We have a range of criteria for any film submitted to the annual festival. And submissions are open right now! Folks can find all of the details on our website www.fayettevillefilmfest.com. Submissions are open until July 31st. But Arkansas filmmakers can submit FOR FREE until May 31st.
WAC: What can audiences expect from these selections? Are they fictional, shorts, documentaries, etc.?
Russell: This program of short films includes two documentaries and three narrative films, so a little something for everyone. That includes one of our annual pitch prize winners, which is an exciting event we host each year during the festival. Filmmakers get a few minutes to pitch their film idea, and we give the winner $2,000 to help make their film! Good Gorgeous Hell won the pitch price in 2020 and we were able to screen the finished film last year. The program also includes two films - And the Winner Is and Once Forgotten - made by recipients of our Micheaux Award, a film fund that supports filmmakers of color from across the state.
WAC: What are some of the themes that the films explore?
Russell: The themes are as varied as the films themselves, but there does seem to be a consistent interest in probing questions of justice and past trauma. Which is not surprising given the past couple of years. I think we can all identify with the themes these films are exploring.
WAC: Can you tell readers a little about Fayetteville Film Fest’s history and how long you’ve been around?
Still shot from the film Once Forgotten by Arkansas filmmaker Obed Lamy
Russell: The Fayetteville Film Fest is a grassroots, local film festival now in its 14th year. It was founded by a core group of filmmakers and film lovers and continues to be an all-volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating independent film and fostering a community of filmmakers right here in Arkansas. We host an annual film festival each fall in downtown Fayetteville, and have created various initiatives to support the local filmmaking community, including the Fayetteville Film Prize and the Micheaux Award and Film Lab.
WAC: Are there opportunities to volunteer or be a member of Fayetteville Film Fest?
Russell: As an all-volunteer organization, we are ALWAYS looking for volunteers. Whether that means helping out at our annual event - in exchange for free tickets and a snazzy t-shirt - or getting involved year-round. We’d love to hear from you!
Movie poster from the film Part of the Kingdom by Arkansas filmmaker Makenna Cofer
WAC: What do you hope that audiences take away from viewing the Arkansas Filmmakers Showcase?
Russell: We hope everyone walks away with a new appreciation for the exciting talents coming out of our region and our state. Most of the films in this program were made by student filmmakers. This is the next generation of filmmakers. And we can’t wait to see what they do next.
WAC: Is there anything else you’d like readers to know about the Arkansas Filmmakers Showcase or Fayetteville Film Fest?
Russell: Our mission is to build and support the filmmaking community. We’d love as many partners in that mission as possible. For more information on how you can help, visit our website www.fayettevillefilmfest.org.
Arkansas Filmmakers Showcase Schedule
Good Gorgeous Hell (29:05)
Director: Reed Cash Carson
A manic single father with a mysterious black eye desperately tries to win back the love of his 10-year old son on a delirious day in Arkansas. Based on the writer/director's real childhood.
Session 1 (9:18)
Director: Jazmyne Black
A young Black woman contemplates the struggles of her role in life in modern-day society over the course of a day. Her quest for answers uncovers a shocking revelation.
Once Forgotten (23:27)
Director: Obed Lamy
Reframing the story of three enslaved individuals lynched in Washington County, Arkansas, in 1856 as a local community undertaking to reestablish the truth of the events surrounding their lynching and honor their memory.
And the Winner Is (14:32)
Director: Michael Day
Sydney Davis finally wins the most prestigious award for best film director. While he believes he has created more opportunities for Black filmmakers, his wife, Tonya, believes he may have compromised his morals and beliefs to secure the award.
Part of the Kingdom (29:57)
Director: Makenna Cofer
An investigation of the unique struggle LGBTQ+ students face at Christian universities, specifically at John Brown University. Discussion surrounding the LGBTQ+ community is full of heated tension in Siloam Springs. Part of The Kingdom amplifies the voices of the LGBTQ+ students at JBU, providing them with a platform to share their story. This piece tackles conversations that are uncomfortable for most Christian communities, teaching us that it should be safe to be known.
Additional upcoming film events presented in partnership with the Fayetteville Film Festival include Best of 2021 Fest at 7 pm on Saturday, March 12, and Indie Films Artosphere at 7 pm on Thursday, May 26. Film selections for these two showcases will be announced at a later date.
Tickets to each of these film showcases are available now for $15 plus applicable fees. Purchase tickets in-person at the Walton Arts Center Box Office weekdays 10 am until 2 pm, by calling 479.443.5600 weekdays 10 am until 5 pm or by visiting waltonartscenter.org.