2023 FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

Seen through the eyes of a Korean American family that leaves the Bay Area for small-town Wyoming after experiencing devastating loss, “A Great Divide” addresses the emotional and psychological impact of racism and xenophobia on Asian Americans, the loneliness and sacrifice of immigrant sojourners and the generational burden of expectations that weigh on their children. But it's also a story about a family repairing itself after tragedy, about a young man breaking out of his shell and finding love, about reconciliation and redemption.

A Song For Imogene: World Premiere. A sudden death and unexpected pregnancy force an impoverished woman to decide between freeing herself or remaining a relic of her drive-by Southern town.

A View of the World from Fifth Avenue: World Premiere. A young woman risks being ostracized from an insular New York clique led by her socialite best friend when she falls for a charming photographer.

Featured Shorts: A Bitch of a Race * After You've Gone *Inseparable: Skye *LandoSteezy * Malik* Rosalie Fish* The Right to Joy* Well Worn Life

Banchi Hanuse's doc takes us to the golden plains of Blackfoot Territory to the home of Logan Red Crow, a young Siksika woman whose passion is the Indian Relay.

Featured Shorts: A Journey With My Dad * Apocalypse Dog* Hellscape* Little Things* My Grandmother Is An Egg* Pete* Pivot* Tehura* Tiny* Well Wishes, My Love, Your Love*

After Thomas Kinkade's passing, his daughters uncovered a trove of unseen, dark paintings, launching a search for the true man behind the brand. It uncovers the real Thomas Kinkade.

** FREE EVENT - TICKET NOT REQUIRED ** Enjoy Disney’s ''Beauty and the Beast'' at our Geena Davis Outdoor Theater and Filmmaker Tailgate! Families of all ages can enjoy their favorite films from our studio partners alongside music, giveaways, food demos and samplings from some of the largest brands including: Gordon Ramsey, Guy Fieri, Bob’s Big Boy, Meat District, Sonic, Cinnabon, a sneak peak food offering from Netflix.

A showcase of short film screenings and conversations with emerging and established filmmakers that have been awarded funding and production support from valued BFF partners and global brands, Coca Cola, M&M''S®, and NBCUniversal. This years’ featured projects and speakers include: “Expanded” by Bella and Gracie Hall & Coca Cola Refreshing Films teams; “Fish Out of Town” by BFF Alumni - Sofia Garba-Banza & Mars Wrigley; “A Real One” by BFF Alumni - McKenzie Chinn & NBCUniversal. These projects were supported from initiatives and programs through the BFFoundation, our non-profit organization focused year-round on promoting underrepresented voices of women and diverse storytellers.

BIG BOYS is a coming-of-age story about Jamie, a teenage boy who develops a crush on his older cousin Allie’s boyfriend on a family camping trip.

Through intimate access to a charismatic Mattel insider, Beulah Mae Mitchell, Black Barbie delves into the cross section of merchandise and representation as Black women struggle to elevate their own voices and stories, refusing to be invisible.

This event is a celebration of women entrepreneurs, executives, and innovators in entertainment, media, and corporate brands who are driving positive change by investing in women. By shining a spotlight on these trailblazers, we hope to inspire and motivate others to follow suit, promoting a more inclusive and diverse landscape. Don't miss this opportunity to be a part of the movement that is breaking down barriers and empowering women to reach new heights of success.

12-year-old Sav Rodgers watched the film Chasing Amy, and his life was forever changed. Developing a kinship — and maybe a slight obsession — with it as he grew into his queerness, he decides to fund and direct a documentary that examines its role in LGBTQ+ film culture.

Join us for an enlightening conversation as we delve into the world of faith-based film productions. In partnership with the esteemed O'Shaunnessey Foundation, this panel brings together influential voices from the film industry to explore the transformative and inspirational impact of movies grounded in faith. From exploring religious themes to examining the power of redemption, the panel will touch upon a wide range of topics that showcase the diverse ways in which faith can be portrayed on film.

Featured Shorts: Poof* Look Back At It* Shadow Woman* Astonishing Little Feet* The Cab* My Eyes Are Up Here*

Featured Shorts: Run Amok* Heritage Day* MAXINE* Passenger Seat* BLACK BELTS*

Featured Shorts: Chronicle of a Summer Day* The Van* Inheritance* Take Me Home* Daughter of the Sea*

Featured Shorts: Agents of Change: Project Polymer* Makeover Movie* Peccadillo* The Auction* The Sons of God*

Experience the enchantment of Disney's timeless classic, "Cinderella"; in a special presentation featuring Esteemed Author & Film Scholar, Mindy Johnson - who will share deep insights and expertise on animation and women's history in the entertainment indsustry.

**FREE EVENT - TICKET NOT REQUIRED** Enjoy Disney’s ''Encanto'' at our Geena Davis Outdoor Theater and Filmmaker Tailgate! Families of all ages can enjoy their favorite films from our studio partners alongside music, giveaways, food demos and samplings from some of the largest brands including: Gordon Ramsey, Guy Fieri, Bob’s Big Boy, Meat District, Sonic, Cinnabon, a sneak peak food offering from Netflix.

Featured: Off Fairfax* A Version* All At Once* The Road to Milan* Carly Dolls* Here to Make Friends*

ESTHER NEWTON MADE ME GAY explores the life and times of cultural anthropologist Esther Newton.

A master of Japanese drumming and a Korean adoptee from Minnesota boldly convene an all-female troupe to perform Taiko, the Japanese drumming art that has been off-limits to women for centuries.

Follows the story of the loyal women of an organized crime family that dominated some of the boroughs of New York City in the late 20th century.

**FREE EVENT - NO TICKET REQUIRED**Enjoy Disney’s ''Frozen'' at our Geena Davis Outdoor Theater and Filmmaker Tailgate! Families of all ages can enjoy their favorite films from our studio partners alongside music, giveaways, food demos and samplings from some of the largest brands including: Gordon Ramsey, Guy Fieri, Bob’s Big Boy, Meat District, Sonic, Cinnabon, a sneak peak food offering from Netflix.

In partnership with Christy Turlington’s foundation Every Mother Counts to spotlight maternal health, BFF is honored to gather some of the most influential minds across health, business, media, and philanthropy to discuss the current state of the sector and the cutting-edge initiatives shaping our future. "Giving Birth in America: Arkansas" follows community-based doulas who provide support before, during, and after child- birth in Central Arkansas and who demonstrate the critical role of community-based care, especially within historically marginalized communities. The "Giving Birth in America" film series features stories from seven states. This particular film spotlights Arkansas, the state with the highest maternal mortality rate in the United States. Panelists include: Nicole Mackinlay Hahn, Director; Dr. Shamila Makhija, CEO & Founding Dean of Dr. Makhija is the Founding Dean and CEO of the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine (AWSOM); Dr. Zenobia Harris, Executive Director, Arkansas Birthing Project.

A social worker at a juvenile prison assembles an unlikely cycling team of teenage convicts who must outride their pasts to complete a transformative 1000-mile ride. Hard Miles is inspired by the true story of the teenage boys from Ridgeview Academy in Watkins, CO- a school for both abandoned youth, and some of the state's most violent juvenile offenders. Some battle addiction. Others belong to gangs. Most come from broken homes. But these boys are also members of the school's remarkably successful cycling team, led by coach Greg Townsend. And despite their troubles, they still have boyhood hopes, dreams, and longings. This is the story of how they found another gear.

In Texas, on the Mexican border, best friends Silvia and Beba dance through long summer nights. Stuck in the immigration process in a politically divided America, home seems fragile. But their bond is not. The half-light is a space for poetry and dreams.

An intimate portrait of one woman’s quest for healing that reverberated around the globe through her song “Quiet,” an anthem for the women’s movement. Five years later, we take a deeper look into the song's impact on MILCK's journey of reclamation: reclaiming trust in herself, her sense of belonging, and her sisterhood with the song's co-creator, AG. As we follow MILCK’s path of activism and artistry, we get a window into how she's awakened by the stillness of quarantine and the reckoning of our country’s racial justice movement. Her acknowledgement and accountability for her blindspots give her and AG a renewed sense of freedom as they celebrate that it’s never too late to reclaim our voices.

Join us for a remarkable showcase featuring a distinguished panel of actors, content creators, and executives who have successfully created or worked with women-led content. This annual panel is a beacon of inspiration and empowerment, highlighting the accomplishments and contributions of these remarkable individuals. Leading the discussion is the esteemed Madeline Di Nonno, President & CEO of the Geena Davis Institute for Gender in Media, who will bring her expertise and passion for promoting gender equality in the industry. Additionally, we are honored to have Academy Award winner and fearless leader of Bentonville Film Festival, Geena Davis, as one of the panelists. Don’t miss the opportunity to be a part of a conversation that celebrates the power of content led by women.

Creator Talks

Invisible Beauty is an elegant account of the model-turned-fashion industry insider's life and career, culminating in her tireless advocacy for more diversity both on the runway and off.

Join, or Die is a film about why you should join a club — and why the fate of America may depend on it.

Filmmaker Sierra Urich grew up in rural Vermont, a place and an upbringing far removed from Iran, the homeland of her mother, Mitra, and grandmother, Behjat. Only knowing Iran through family stories, food, and holidays, and with the prospect of travel to the country a seemingly impossible dream, she embarks on a personal quest to make sense of her fractured Iranian identity.

A lyrical tapestry of a place and people, KING COAL meditates on the complex history and future of the coal industry, the communities it has shaped, the myths it has created.

Four Black transgender sex workers tell their life stories in intimate and candid interviews.

Lionsgate Presents World Premiere "Ordinary Angels" Inspired by the incredible true story of a hairdresser who single-handedly rallies an entire community to help a widowed father save the life of his critically ill young daughter.

** FREE EVENT - TICKET NOT REQUIRED ** Enjoy ''MIP'' at our Geena Davis Outdoor Theater and Filmmaker Tailgate! Families of all ages can enjoy their favorite films from our studio partners alongside music, giveaways, food demos and samplings from some of the largest brands including: Gordon Ramsey, Guy Fieri, Bob’s Big Boy, Meat District, Sonic, Cinnabon, a sneak peak food offering from Netflix.

** FREE EVENT - TICKET NOT REQUIRED ** Enjoy Paramount''s ''MIP'' at our Geena Davis Outdoor Theater and Filmmaker Tailgate! Families of all ages can enjoy their favorite films from our studio partners alongside music, giveaways, food demos and samplings from some of the largest brands including: Gordon Ramsey, Guy Fieri, Bob’s Big Boy, Meat District, Sonic, Cinnabon, a sneak peak food offering from Netflix.

Netflix's Deepa & Anoop: Family Experience Kickstart Entertainment, the team behind Mattel and Netflix’s award-winning animated children’s series, ''Deepa and Anoop,'' presents an outdoor family-friendly theater experience with a panel of special guests, and dance performances from Ra-Ve Cultural Foundation and Adrija’s Dance Academy. After the performance, be sure to join us at the Filmmaker Tailgate where families of all ages can enjoy their favorite films from our studio partners alongside food demos and samplings from some of the largest brands including: Gordon Ramsey, Guy Fieri, Bob’s Big Boy, Meat District, Sonic, Cinnabon, a sneak peak food offering from Netflix.

After a heist gone wrong and results in the deaths of all three of her friends, Brea finds herself in the custody of the small town sheriff, who may be hiding as many secrets as she is, the only sure thing is that only one will survive.

TBD

Hip-hop song becomes drumbeat for repressed people in Latin America.The documentary about the powerful story of six afro descendants rappers who have rewritten Cuban history and sparked a lyric battle for human rights through a song called “Patria y Vida”. An inspiring story about the value of music as a social transformer.

When a White farm worker gets fired for racism by her Palestinian boss, the last thing she expects is to fall in love with her. In a small town where Muslims and Christians don’t mix, they will have to break the barriers that separate them, or risk settling for the lives their families have laid out.

** FREE EVENT - TICKET NOT REQUIRED **Come sing and dance along with Gracie herself in a live performance from You Tube’s ''Gracie’s Corner''. After noticing their children''s educational YouTube recommendations were not very diverse, this Houston family decided to create their own channel. “Gracie''s Corner” provides educational, fun, and encouraging songs for children from all backgrounds. After the performance, be sure to join us at the Filmmaker Tailgate where families of all ages can enjoy their favorite films from our studio partners alongside food demo’s and samplings from some of the largest brands including: Gordon Ramsey, Guy Fieri, Bob’s Big Boy, Meat District, Sonic, Cinnabon, a sneak peak food offering from Netflix.

True progress in changing minds, challenging traditions, and creating movements that stir and motivate audiences to take action can’t be made without a purpose. Join brand leaders on how they have implemented corporate initiatives to amplify social issues through their channels and the impact their campaigns have made in different communities.

Ramona At Midlife is a dark comedy about a single mother and former Literary It Girl who discovers that her unflattering current reality is the subject of a hot filmmaker’s newest project. As Ramona faces up to her disappointments and wrecked friendships, she finds true creative power and is finally ready to become her best self.

''Reel Bodies in the Real World'' is an empowering panel discussion exploring the crucial role body size representation plays in shaping media narratives. In a world bombarded with unrealistic body ideals, this panel brings together industry experts and influential voices to shed light on the transformative power of authentic representation. Discover how the media can shift paradigms and empower individuals of all shapes and sizes. Gain invaluable insights from our esteemed panelists as they share their experiences in challenging societal expectations, navigating the world of entertainment, and championing inclusivity. From body-positive actors, trailblazing filmmakers and media researchers, this diverse panel will provide a platform for inspiring conversations and groundbreaking perspectives.

A new annual event, Rolling Canvas aims to celebrate the intersection of art, film, and cycling - encouraging participants to explore their creativity, engage with their surroundings, and experience art in a dynamic and participatory way. Participants will experience a community art ride via an exclusive route throughout Bentonville followed by a screening in partnership with Oz Art.

** FREE EVENT - TICKET NOT REQUIRED ** Enjoy Disney’s ''Snow White'' at our Geena Davis Outdoor Theater and Filmmaker Tailgate! Families of all ages can enjoy their favorite films from our studio partners alongside music, giveaways, food demos and samplings from some of the largest brands including: Gordon Ramsey, Guy Fieri, Bob’s Big Boy, Meat District, Sonic, Cinnabon, a sneak peak food offering from Netflix.

Sony Pictures Presents: Spider-Man™: "Across the Spider-Verse" Screening and Q&A Miles Morales catapults across the Multiverse, where he encounters a team of Spider-People charged with protecting its very existence. When the heroes clash on how to handle a new threat, Miles must redefine what it means to be a hero.

After running away from home, a teenage graffiti artist holds up an unsuspecting MTA worker in a robbery gone right that changes their lives forever.

Vicaria is a brilliant teenager who believes death is a disease that can be cured. After the brutal and sudden murder of her brother, she embarks on a dangerous journey to bring him back to life. Inspired by Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.

Norwegian sisters Kari and May are devout in their religious convictions — to the degree that they perceive divine signs all around them. When May visits Kari in Sweden and decides to buy an apartment in the area to be closer to her, both sisters end up experiencing a divine sign at one particular apartment that prompts them to buy it.

After rescuing a boy from ruthless child traffickers, a federal agent learns the boy''s sister is still captive and decides to embark on a dangerous mission to save her.

David Glass was an innovative retailer, diehard sports fan, and loving family leader. His perseverance propelled him to leave his small town and pursue his dreams. Through hard work, leadership, and faith he became one of the greatest business minds of our generation. After successfully building Walmart beside Sam Walton, he left to pursue another love...baseball. Through it all, his priority was rooted in family and faith.

A village is paradise for a little city girl on vacation, while for a local teenager it feels like jail. Amongst tobacco-drying barns, two parallel stories take place during a magical realism-tinted summer.

An uptight dwarf and his free-spirited, alien-obsessed neighbor hit the road on a border-defying search for their place in the universe.

**FREE EVENT - REQUIRES TICKET TO ENTER** Warner Brothers Presents The Flash - Exclusive Advance Screening Barry Allen uses his super speed to change the past, but his attempt to save his family creates a world without super heroes, forcing him to race for his life in order to save the future.

After the death of their best friend Bea, tight-knit friends Emilia, Finn, and Lucey attempt to reconnect on an annual camping trip, but things grow increasingly strange and uncomfortable in the isolated forest as their friendship unravels.