While the Bentonville Film Festival has submissions from creatives all over the world, this year’s talent doesn’t fall too far from our front door. These films feature talent from right here in Arkansas and align with BFF’s mission of inclusion in all forms of media. Also, we love cheering for the hometown creatives! BFF is happy to have these localized creatives for our Homegrown features for BFF 2019.
At the start of the summer, Bridget (Kelly O’Sullivan) has an abortion just as she lands a much-needed job in an affluent Chicago suburb – nannying six-year-old Frances (played by the scene-stealing Ramona Edith-Williams).
With no time to recover, she clashes with the obstinate Frances and struggles to navigate a growing tension between Frances’ moms. As her personal relationships suffer, a reluctant friendship with Frances emerges, and Bridget contends with the inevitable joys and shit-shows of becoming a part of someone else’s family.
Catch the multi-talented, writer/actor, and AR native, Kelly O’Sullivan in the lead role.
Well Groomed
Following champion groomers and their gorgeous, vibrant dogs through a year in the life on the technicolor competition circuit, WELL GROOMED effervescently explores an American not often portrayed in cinema. From South Carolina to California, New York to Arkansas, the film follows dog groomers from their homes to large-scale dog grooming competitions and showrooms where their communities meet, discuss, and compete with technicolor exuberance.
Arkansas-based, champion groomer Angela Kumpe, featured in the film, will be in attendance!
In a god-fearing small town in 1960s Oklahoma, bespectacled and reclusive teen Iris endures the booze-induced antics of her mother and daily doses of bullying from her classmates. She finds solace in Maggie, the charismatic and enigmatic new girl at school, who hones in on Iris’s untapped potential and coaxes her out of her shell. When Maggie’s mysterious past can no longer be suppressed, the tiny community is thrown into a state of panic, leaving Maggie to take potentially drastic measures and inciting Iris to stand up for her friend and herself.
Check out this Sundance Alum from local filmmaking powerhouse Rockhill Studios!
Sweet Inspirations
Sweet Inspirations begins when a local shelter for victims of domestic abuse falls on hard times, and spirited housewife Maggie Greene (Cassie Self) hatches a unique fundraising scheme by convincing Bonnie (Maria Canlas-Barrera) and their friends of the Women’s Outreach Group to join them in selling biblically inspired gourmet cupcakes from an abandoned pizza parlor.
In the process, the ladies learn the power of Christian service and transform their community, their loved ones, and each other.