BENTONVILLE (KFSM) — The second annual Bentonville Film Festival will be May 3-8, 2016, according to a festival press release.
The week-long event, which is chaired by co-founder Geena Davis, focuses on championing women and diversity in media, the release states.
The inaugural festival drew a crowd of roughly 37,000 people, including 50 filmmakers and 40 celebrities, according to the release.This year’s festival is slated to show 75 film screenings, including studio premiers.
The festival is trying to expand so that it includes all forms of media, including short films, digital content and TV programming. Also new this year are events to showcase Bentonville’s cultural and natural surroundings, the release states.
Last year, the festival generated more than $1 million for the Arkansas economy.
The event is hosted by ARC Entertainment, Walmart, Coco-Cola and AMC Theaters, and winners are guaranteed theatrical, digital, television and retail home entertainment distribution.
Film submissions open Oct. 1 and the films accepted into the competition will be announced in March.
Competition films must meet two or more of the following qualifications: Have a female or minority lead, director, writer or production company; have a gender and diversity balanced cast or crew; or be appropriate for family or shared viewing.
