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8 WHAT'S UP! AUGUST 21-27, 2022 FEATURE 'The World' In The River Valley Festival offers 137 films from 30 different countries, nations and tribes BECCA MARTIN-BROWN NWA Democrat-Gazette B randon Chase Goldsmith describes himself as "currently an unemployed filmmaker," and that, he says, gives him "a unique understanding of the struggle that many moviemakers experience." Born in Arkansas and raised in San Antonio, Goldsmith started making movies with his friends in high school. In 1997, some of them started a film company in Austin, Texas, and one alumnus of that venture has worked as first assistant director on series like "Friday Night Lights" and "Better Call Saul," while Goldsmith has been an actor, director, writer and producer. A chance to live in his grandparents' family farmhouse brought him home to the River Valley, and he's "currently in post-production on 'The Western District' and 'Goingsnake' documentaries, which reveal untold stories and histories from our region." "The research on these topics took me almost four years," he says. "I love the process of storytelling and how film incorporates almost every single art form in bringing ideas to life. Movies are my passion." Among the challenges filmmakers face outside of Los Angeles are finding the connections they need with fans, actors, directors, designers, producers, writers and crew "to help promote new and existing projects, and to build up the local arts community and beyond," Goldsmith explains, adding that's why the River Valley Film Society was formed in the summer of 2019 and how the idea for the Fort Smith International Film Festival was born two years later. "Putting on a film festival is a continuous learning experience," says Goldsmith, with the second iteration of the festival set for Aug. 26-27. "I am incredibly proud of our team who are incorporating the lessons we each gained from the first year. In 2021, our goal was to survive and simply make a festival happen, and we did. "For our second annual, we are focusing on increasing both the filmmaker and moviegoer experience," he goes on. "Instead of screening films in four separate locations across Fort Smith's downtown during the heat of August, we are showing all 137 movies in one location. Not only does this make the films more accessible to our guests, but it brings all the filmmakers together, creating a space for artistic conversations, which paves a path towards innovative collaborations and possibly new projects." But Goldsmith doesn't discount the biggest benefit the film festival brings to the River Valley: "the world." "We will be showing movies from over 30 different countries, nations and tribes," he says. "These films will expose people to ideas, perspectives and ways of life from around the globe. What I find intriguing are not the differences but the similarities, the common experiences, emotions and dreams that transcend borders and distances, allowing us to witness our collective humanity. That to me is the beauty and importance of having an international film festival in Fort Smith." Among this year's filmmakers are: Mike Day Film: "And the Winner Is" Showing at 7:35 p.m. Aug. 27 "Since I was a kid, I've always been interested in film production," says Day, founder of DAYVISION, a film company focused on Black cinema. "Growing up, I was a fan of film directors Spike Lee and John Singleton's work. I always knew I Brandon Goldsmith, president of the River Valley Film Society, speaks about the 2022 Fort Smith International Film Festival at a press conference earlier this year at TempleLive in Fort Smith. The event, themed "Borderlands" in its second year, will take place Aug. 26-27 at TempleLive. (NWA Democrat-Gazette File Photo/Hank Layton) FAQ Fort Smith International Film Festival WHEN — Aug. 26-27 WHERE — TempleLive, 200 N. 11th St. in Fort Smith COST — $10-$30 INFO — fortsmithfilm.com FYI You can see the complete program for the Fort Smith International Film Fest here: nwaonline.com/821fsfestival/.