What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
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8 WHAT'S UP! JUNE 19-25, 2022 COVER STORY Party In Bentonville! BFF back with more premieres, more events, more celebrities APRIL WALLACE NWA Democrat-Gazette G rab your popcorn and your favorite movie buddy. The Bentonville Film Festival plans to open even stronger than recent years with a free screening series, celebrity coffee talks, panels, NFTs and much more to offer starting June 22. After the completely virtual offerings of 2020 and a small, on-the-ground experience in 2021, festival organizers are excited to bring events back in full swing this week for the eighth year of programming. "Bentonville Film Festival has always been about championing underrepresented storytellers on and off screen," says iconic actress and festival cofounder Geena Davis via Zoom during a media preview event earlier this month. It "connects storytellers from across the globe right here in Northwest Arkansas through creativity and a sense of belonging." Davis hopes to continue that cause while also benefiting this region. "Our mission-driven festival uplifts its community by using its platform to leave a lasting positive impact on not only the entertainment industry, but the community at home here in Arkansas," she says. "The festival aims to inspire young storytellers to continue to break down barriers and find strength through diversity and inclusion in all media." The breakdown of that diversity is evident in the pool of content creators who entered the juried competition program. More than 82% identify as female or gender non-conforming, 65% identify as Black, Indigenous, people of color, Asian or Pacific Islander; 62% are from the LGBTQIA+ community; 42% are over 50; and 20% have a disability. But audiences will see the diversity on screen too, with 90% of screen leads being women or gender non- conforming; 60% BIPOC, Asian or Pacific Islander; 25% LGBTQIA+; and 12% with a disability. Bentonville Film Festival events will be hosted at the Momentary this year, a different location from previous years, where films will be shown in Fermentation Hall. Thaden School will house the main stage area, where some events will take place, and movies will also be screened. Festivities kick off a night early June 21 with a community bike ride, says Ashley Edwards, director of programming for BFF. The Bike and Bentonville Film Festival founder Geena Davis says the event has "always been about championing underrepresented storytellers on and off screen." It "connects storytellers from across the globe right here in Northwest Arkansas through creativity and a sense of belonging." (Courtesy Photo/BFF)