The BFFoundation (BFF), today announced the appointment of Chris Farrell, Executive Vice President of International Strategy at Walmart International, to its Board of Directors, effective immediately.
Farrell brings more than 35 years of experience as a corporate executive and strategic advisor across the retail, consumer, and entertainment industries. In addition to his corporate leadership, he is an accomplished producer whose credits include Jimmy Carter Rock & Roll President (Producer) and Left Behind (Producer). He is a member of the Producers Guild of America and has previously served on the Boards of the Joyful Heart Foundation and the Surfrider Foundation.
“We’ve been consistently impressed by Chris’s exceptional creativity and strategic vision,” said Wendy Guerrero, Executive Director of BFFoundation. “The Bentonville Film Festival is already recognized on the global stage and with Chris’s expertise in strategy and development, we’re excited to unlock new growth opportunities and take the festival to greater heights.”
“You can’t help but feel Chris’s passion and energy — and his shared ambitions for the Bentonville Film Festival,” said Geena Davis, Academy Award–winning actor and Chair of BFFoundation. “It also helps that he is a filmmaker who understands both the art and the business.”
“I am honored and thrilled to join the BFFoundation team,” said Chris Farrell. “Together we’ll build on the incredible foundation already in place — staying true to BFF’s purpose while strengthening our ties to Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas and amplifying our global impact.”
Farrell joins the BFFoundation at an exciting time of expansion and innovation. The organization recently announced the dates for the 12th annual Bentonville Film Festival, taking place June 15–21, 2026, with digital screenings continuing through June 28, 2026. The festival has become a vital space in the entertainment landscape, celebrating bold perspectives and inclusive storytelling.
In 2025, BFF drew over 30,000 attendees and featured marquee guests including Lucy Liu, Al Roker, Allyson Felix, Trace Lysette, Bradley Whitford, Shohreh Aghdashloo, and Betsy Brandt. The festival also hosted Variety’s 10 Producers to Watch, a signature program honoring rising voices shaping the future of entertainment—further underscoring Foundations’ mission to champion underrepresented storytellers.