Film festival to return in 2016

BENTONVILLE -- The second Bentonville Film Festival will be May 3-8 next year, officials announced Thursday.

Last year's festival drew an estimated 50 filmmakers and 37,000 attendees. It also generated more than $1 million in business for the local economy, according to a news release announcing the 2016 dates.

The festival was co-founded by Trevor Drinkwater of media firm ARC Entertainment and film and television actress Geena Davis and champions female actresses and filmmakers. The festival partners with the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, which researches the impact of women in the entertainment industry.

The festival's goal of highlighting women and minorities resonated with attendees and throughout the industry, Drinkwater said.

"The reception was immediate. We knew we were on to something," he said.

The 2016 festival will again be primarily in Bentonville, but other community-related events will explore the region. New events in 2016 include a short film competition and screenings of television programs and digital content.

Winners of the festival earn guaranteed distribution through outlets such as AMC Theaters. Winners from the 2015 festival will enter theaters in October, Drinkwater said.

NW News on 08/28/2015

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