Twenty years after launching her Institute on Gender in Media — which created a blueprint for gathering data about inclusion and diversity on- and offscreen — Geena Davis is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of Arkansas’ Bentonville Film Festival, which she runs alongside fest director Wendy Guerrero. Here, the Oscar-winning actor shares her proudest moments from Bff (the June 10-16 event is expected to attract 65,000 attendees this year), the meaningfulness of a Dei-centered fest in a tumultuous election year and what most informs her “inherently not controversial” belief that storytelling should be for everyone.
How does it feel to see Bff reach this milestone?
We truly can’t believe 10 years have already gone by. When we launched, Bentonville didn’t even have a movie theater. (Laughs.) And now the town is booming — art, culture, restaurants and museums. It’s been amazing to see.
What’s been the toughest part of this process that you didn’t anticipate?...
How does it feel to see Bff reach this milestone?
We truly can’t believe 10 years have already gone by. When we launched, Bentonville didn’t even have a movie theater. (Laughs.) And now the town is booming — art, culture, restaurants and museums. It’s been amazing to see.
What’s been the toughest part of this process that you didn’t anticipate?...
- 6/5/2024
- by Stacey Wilson Hunt
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Click here to read the full article.
Bentonville Film Festival, chaired by award-winning actress and gender equity advocate Geena Davis, has announced its 2023 festival dates.
The annual event held in northwest Arkansas will take place June 13 to 18 for its in-person component, with on-demand streaming of selected programming and events through June 25 available on the festival’s virtual platform.
“We can’t wait for our 2023 festival and are so proud to be nearly a decade into formally championing underrepresented visionaries,” said Geena Davis, Bentonville Film Festival chair, in a statement. “Bff is designed to support storytellers from across the globe with opportunities to showcase their unique stories. We are thrilled to be the gathering place for these diverse artists sharing bold work while providing a global platform to give wider access to these artists and their stories.”
The year’s offerings will once again feature competition titles within narrative, documentary, shorts...
Bentonville Film Festival, chaired by award-winning actress and gender equity advocate Geena Davis, has announced its 2023 festival dates.
The annual event held in northwest Arkansas will take place June 13 to 18 for its in-person component, with on-demand streaming of selected programming and events through June 25 available on the festival’s virtual platform.
“We can’t wait for our 2023 festival and are so proud to be nearly a decade into formally championing underrepresented visionaries,” said Geena Davis, Bentonville Film Festival chair, in a statement. “Bff is designed to support storytellers from across the globe with opportunities to showcase their unique stories. We are thrilled to be the gathering place for these diverse artists sharing bold work while providing a global platform to give wider access to these artists and their stories.”
The year’s offerings will once again feature competition titles within narrative, documentary, shorts...
- 10/4/2022
- by Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“You have to put it in the script. If you put in the script – it will happen.”
This is Geena Davis’ sage advice to filmmakers when crafting stories aiming to incorporate inclusive storylines and characters.
“Nobody is going to second guess if it says the scene takes place at, say, ‘a police station which is 40 women,’ or if there’s a scene where ‘a crowd gathers, which is half female,’” continues the Oscar-winning actor and founder of the eponymous Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media.
“Specify what it is. You have to write in the script.”
That advice came to fruition in “The Seven Faces of Jane,” a surrealistic anthology film that held its world premiere at Geena Davis’ Bentonville Film Festival’s eighth edition last night in the quaint Arkansas city, home to Walmart’s global headquarters. The fest, founded and chaired by Davis, runs in-person through June...
This is Geena Davis’ sage advice to filmmakers when crafting stories aiming to incorporate inclusive storylines and characters.
“Nobody is going to second guess if it says the scene takes place at, say, ‘a police station which is 40 women,’ or if there’s a scene where ‘a crowd gathers, which is half female,’” continues the Oscar-winning actor and founder of the eponymous Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media.
“Specify what it is. You have to write in the script.”
That advice came to fruition in “The Seven Faces of Jane,” a surrealistic anthology film that held its world premiere at Geena Davis’ Bentonville Film Festival’s eighth edition last night in the quaint Arkansas city, home to Walmart’s global headquarters. The fest, founded and chaired by Davis, runs in-person through June...
- 6/23/2022
- by Malina Saval
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
While film festivals continue to struggle in 2022 with gender parity and other benchmarks of inclusive selection, the Bentonville Film Festival has consistently programmed lineups from a majority of women, Bipoc, queer, disabled and other types of historically excluded filmmakers since its founding in 2015.
The festival returned for its eighth edition on June 22 and will continue in-person in northwest Arkansas through June 26 and virtually through July 3. Of this year’s competition program, more than 82 is from creators who identify as female or gender non-conforming; 65 who identify as Black, Indigenous, a person of color, Asian or Pacific Islander; 62 who identify as Lgbtqia+, 42 who are over 50 and 20 who identify as a person with disabilities.
Festival founder and chair Geena Davis and festival and BFFoundation president Wendy Guerrero spoke with The Hollywood Reporter about how it achieves such programming diversity on a consistent basis, how the festival has impacted its filmmakers’ careers,...
While film festivals continue to struggle in 2022 with gender parity and other benchmarks of inclusive selection, the Bentonville Film Festival has consistently programmed lineups from a majority of women, Bipoc, queer, disabled and other types of historically excluded filmmakers since its founding in 2015.
The festival returned for its eighth edition on June 22 and will continue in-person in northwest Arkansas through June 26 and virtually through July 3. Of this year’s competition program, more than 82 is from creators who identify as female or gender non-conforming; 65 who identify as Black, Indigenous, a person of color, Asian or Pacific Islander; 62 who identify as Lgbtqia+, 42 who are over 50 and 20 who identify as a person with disabilities.
Festival founder and chair Geena Davis and festival and BFFoundation president Wendy Guerrero spoke with The Hollywood Reporter about how it achieves such programming diversity on a consistent basis, how the festival has impacted its filmmakers’ careers,...
- 6/23/2022
- by Rebecca Sun
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Click here to read the full article.
The Bentonville Film Festival, chaired by Geena Davis, is set to honor actor Fin Argus and producer Effie Brown at its eighth annual event produced by the nonprofit BFFoundation.
Argus, who will be presented with the Rising Star award for outstanding talent, is known for their role as Mingus, an aspiring drag performer, in the Peacock reboot of drama series Queer as Folk. Argus also stars opposite Neve Campbell in the Disney+ feature film Clouds, playing a young musician whose life is cut short due to spreading cancer. Argus will next be seen in the movie Stay Awake, alongside Chrissy Metz. As a musician, Argus released their debut EP Lost at Sea in 2017 and is preparing to release a second EP titled Exposure.
Brown, who will receive the Rising to the Challenge honor for supporting indie film projects, is the CEO of production company Gamechanger Films,...
The Bentonville Film Festival, chaired by Geena Davis, is set to honor actor Fin Argus and producer Effie Brown at its eighth annual event produced by the nonprofit BFFoundation.
Argus, who will be presented with the Rising Star award for outstanding talent, is known for their role as Mingus, an aspiring drag performer, in the Peacock reboot of drama series Queer as Folk. Argus also stars opposite Neve Campbell in the Disney+ feature film Clouds, playing a young musician whose life is cut short due to spreading cancer. Argus will next be seen in the movie Stay Awake, alongside Chrissy Metz. As a musician, Argus released their debut EP Lost at Sea in 2017 and is preparing to release a second EP titled Exposure.
Brown, who will receive the Rising to the Challenge honor for supporting indie film projects, is the CEO of production company Gamechanger Films,...
- 6/16/2022
- by Trilby Beresford
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Cinedigm has acquired North American rights to Coast, a coming-of-age drama starring Fatima Ptacek (Dora the Explorer), stand-up comedian Cristela Alonzo (Cristela), Academy Award winner Melissa Leo (The Fighter) and Ciara Bravo (Cherry), with plans to release it day-and-date in theaters and on VOD on April 8. Vmi Worldwide, which is handling international sales and distribution, will rep the film at the Berlin Film Festival when it kicks off on February 10.
Set in a farming community along the Central California coast, the story revolves around 16-year-old Abby (Ptacek), who is desperate to escape the trappings of small-town life. Stuck in a loop of sameness, she refuses to believe the lives of those around her are all she has to look forward to, longing for something more. Everything changes when she falls for the lead singer of a touring rock band and must decide whether to leave her family and friends...
Set in a farming community along the Central California coast, the story revolves around 16-year-old Abby (Ptacek), who is desperate to escape the trappings of small-town life. Stuck in a loop of sameness, she refuses to believe the lives of those around her are all she has to look forward to, longing for something more. Everything changes when she falls for the lead singer of a touring rock band and must decide whether to leave her family and friends...
- 2/4/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Bentonville Film Foundation has announced the organization’s 2022 film festival will take place both virtually and in-person. The live event is being held in Arkansas from June 22 through June 26, while the digital portion will extend through July 3.
The Bentonville Film Festival, led by actor Geena Davis, has been running for seven years and aims to amplify female, non-binary, Lgbtqia, Bipoc and people with disabilities in entertainment. The festival is now accepting film submissions for consideration for the 2022 program.
“We’re excited for the opportunity to look ahead at what’s in store for the Bentonville Film Festival. Returning for the eighth year with a hybrid program, the festival continues to grow and develop its footprint in the community,” said Davis, who chairs the Bentonville Film Festival. “We’re proud to continue providing a platform that celebrates diverse voices and champions inclusion from the inside out.”
In 2020, the week-long festival ran...
The Bentonville Film Festival, led by actor Geena Davis, has been running for seven years and aims to amplify female, non-binary, Lgbtqia, Bipoc and people with disabilities in entertainment. The festival is now accepting film submissions for consideration for the 2022 program.
“We’re excited for the opportunity to look ahead at what’s in store for the Bentonville Film Festival. Returning for the eighth year with a hybrid program, the festival continues to grow and develop its footprint in the community,” said Davis, who chairs the Bentonville Film Festival. “We’re proud to continue providing a platform that celebrates diverse voices and champions inclusion from the inside out.”
In 2020, the week-long festival ran...
- 10/19/2021
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: The BFFoundation, the nonprofit organization formed late last year to produce the Geena Davis-chaired Bentonville Film Festival in Arkansas, is launching a production company that like the foundation and fest will champion women and inclusive voices in filmmaking.
The new Bentonville Way Entertainment already has a slate of films in the pipeline featuring alumni from from past Bentonville fests: the Amber McGinnis-directed Buddy, the Jennifer Gerber-directed Has Been Beauty Queen and Dealing With Dad written and directed by Tom Huang. Kristin Mann will serve as Head of Content.
Bwe will provide local production resources to its films, with the aim to produce in Arkansas whenever possible. The three features are currently in preproduction and expected to go into production in late 2021 and early 2022.
“We are excited that we can further the outcome of our mission by not only amplifying these voices through the festival each year,...
The new Bentonville Way Entertainment already has a slate of films in the pipeline featuring alumni from from past Bentonville fests: the Amber McGinnis-directed Buddy, the Jennifer Gerber-directed Has Been Beauty Queen and Dealing With Dad written and directed by Tom Huang. Kristin Mann will serve as Head of Content.
Bwe will provide local production resources to its films, with the aim to produce in Arkansas whenever possible. The three features are currently in preproduction and expected to go into production in late 2021 and early 2022.
“We are excited that we can further the outcome of our mission by not only amplifying these voices through the festival each year,...
- 8/31/2021
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Organizers of Geena Davis’ Bentonville Film Festival, which champions inclusion in all forms of media, will be produced as an annual program by the nascent Arkansas nonprofit BFFoundation. Independent film producer Kristin Mann is set as head of content.
The mission of the organization, which was founded in December and has set up offices in Bentonville, Ar, is to promote underrepresented voices of diverse storytellers. It aims to amplify those who identify as female, non-binary, Lgbtqia+, Bipoc and people with disabilities in entertainment and media.
“Our organization remains dedicated to championing the inclusion of underrepresented storytellers and content creators across the industry,” Davis said in making the announcement this week. “We will continue to champion change by supporting work that reflects gender and racial equity on both sides of the camera — that allows for authentic representation of all forms of relationships and sexual orientations, and amplifies the voices of females,...
The mission of the organization, which was founded in December and has set up offices in Bentonville, Ar, is to promote underrepresented voices of diverse storytellers. It aims to amplify those who identify as female, non-binary, Lgbtqia+, Bipoc and people with disabilities in entertainment and media.
“Our organization remains dedicated to championing the inclusion of underrepresented storytellers and content creators across the industry,” Davis said in making the announcement this week. “We will continue to champion change by supporting work that reflects gender and racial equity on both sides of the camera — that allows for authentic representation of all forms of relationships and sexual orientations, and amplifies the voices of females,...
- 4/23/2021
- by Erik Pedersen and Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Geena Davis’s BFFoundation (Bff) has set dates for the 2021 Bentonville Film Festival and have officially opened submissions. The 7th annual fest that amplifies the voices of diverse storytellers will take place on August 3-8 in Bentonville, Arkansas.
This year’s Bentonville Film Festival will be a hybrid festival, featuring digital and in-person events as well as drive-in screenings. The full program will be unveiled in July.
“During this last year of uncertainty across all sectors of the entertainment industry, and throughout our organization’s history, Bff has remained unwavering in its commitment to support groups and people historically underrepresented in the media,” said Wendy Guerrero, President of BFFoundation and Bentonville Film Festival. “As we move further into 2021, we continue to learn and to hone our focus on creating positive social change, an increased support base, and more measurable impact. With all of this in mind, our 7th annual film...
This year’s Bentonville Film Festival will be a hybrid festival, featuring digital and in-person events as well as drive-in screenings. The full program will be unveiled in July.
“During this last year of uncertainty across all sectors of the entertainment industry, and throughout our organization’s history, Bff has remained unwavering in its commitment to support groups and people historically underrepresented in the media,” said Wendy Guerrero, President of BFFoundation and Bentonville Film Festival. “As we move further into 2021, we continue to learn and to hone our focus on creating positive social change, an increased support base, and more measurable impact. With all of this in mind, our 7th annual film...
- 1/27/2021
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: The inclusive Bentonville Film Festival (Bff) was the perfect stage to launch Gemstone Studios’ inaugural Rising Storytellers Search, a competition seeking underrepresented female-led narratives. The competition was unveiled today during the fest which continues through August 16.
Gemstone, a boutique production unit of Sony Pictures Television, is teaming with Ideas United and Geena Davis’ Bff for Rising Storytellers. The competition invites aspiring storytellers to submit pitch videos of up to six minutes in length to compete for the chance to win a development deal with Gemstone Studios. The winner will also receive other prizes from Sony Electronics’ Imaging Division and other goodies.
“As Sony Pictures Television’s indie production label, Gemstone Studios places an enormous value on undeniable storytelling representative of the diverse slate of creators that exist today,” said Marie Jacobson, EVP of Gemstone Studios. “Our Rising Storytellers Search is mining for the very voices audiences crave right now.
Gemstone, a boutique production unit of Sony Pictures Television, is teaming with Ideas United and Geena Davis’ Bff for Rising Storytellers. The competition invites aspiring storytellers to submit pitch videos of up to six minutes in length to compete for the chance to win a development deal with Gemstone Studios. The winner will also receive other prizes from Sony Electronics’ Imaging Division and other goodies.
“As Sony Pictures Television’s indie production label, Gemstone Studios places an enormous value on undeniable storytelling representative of the diverse slate of creators that exist today,” said Marie Jacobson, EVP of Gemstone Studios. “Our Rising Storytellers Search is mining for the very voices audiences crave right now.
- 8/12/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: After unveiling its lineup for the sixth edition of the Bentonville Film Festival (Bff), the Bentonville Film Foundation has set panels, events and jury for the hybrid virtual/in-person event. The fest will take place August 10-16.
The panels for this year’s fest include “If She Can See It, She Can Be It” with Geena Davis, Oge Egbuonuvisible Portraits) and Katori Hall (P-Valley creator). The panel spotlights the best practices for executives and creators who have successfully created or worked with female-driven content.
Isabella Gomez (One Day At A Time), Sonay Hoffman (For Life), Marie Jacobson (Spt’s Gemstone Studios), Mary Molina (Party of Five) and Esta Spalding (On Becoming a God in Central Florida) will be panelists for “What’s Your Story? And Why We Need It Now More Than Ever”, which will feature a conversation of the importance of fresh, distinctive voices on TV.
The panels for this year’s fest include “If She Can See It, She Can Be It” with Geena Davis, Oge Egbuonuvisible Portraits) and Katori Hall (P-Valley creator). The panel spotlights the best practices for executives and creators who have successfully created or worked with female-driven content.
Isabella Gomez (One Day At A Time), Sonay Hoffman (For Life), Marie Jacobson (Spt’s Gemstone Studios), Mary Molina (Party of Five) and Esta Spalding (On Becoming a God in Central Florida) will be panelists for “What’s Your Story? And Why We Need It Now More Than Ever”, which will feature a conversation of the importance of fresh, distinctive voices on TV.
- 8/5/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
To qualify for an Oscar in one of the Academy’s short film categories, a movie has to be under 40 minutes, including the ending credits. Though many a YouTube viewer has given up on watching short films that are far shorter.
So just how long — or how short — should a good short film be, anyway?
At TheWrap’s annual ShortList Film Festival, which held its awards ceremony Thursday night at the W Hollywood, TheWrap CEO and Editor-in-Chief Sharon Waxman asked the festival’s jurors what they think is the ideal length for a short film.
Also Read: 'Enforcement Hours,' 'Departing Gesture' Take Top Prizes at TheWrap's Shortlist Film Festival 2019
The panel was made up of filmmakers, actors, executives and festival programmers who judged 12 award-winning shorts from major festivals around the world. The films were between four and 15 minutes long.
“I think the short should be however long it is,...
So just how long — or how short — should a good short film be, anyway?
At TheWrap’s annual ShortList Film Festival, which held its awards ceremony Thursday night at the W Hollywood, TheWrap CEO and Editor-in-Chief Sharon Waxman asked the festival’s jurors what they think is the ideal length for a short film.
Also Read: 'Enforcement Hours,' 'Departing Gesture' Take Top Prizes at TheWrap's Shortlist Film Festival 2019
The panel was made up of filmmakers, actors, executives and festival programmers who judged 12 award-winning shorts from major festivals around the world. The films were between four and 15 minutes long.
“I think the short should be however long it is,...
- 8/23/2019
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
“Enforcement Hours,” director Paloma Martinez’s timely documentary short about a hotline for immigrants in San Francisco, won the Industry Prize at TheWrap’s Shortlist Film Festival on Thursday.
Brian Bolster and Jonathan Napolitano’s “Departing Gesture,” a documentary short centered on a funeral director in the heart of the South confronted by societal shame and ignorance as he handles the bodies of people who have died of AIDS, took the Audience Prize at an awards ceremony held Thursday at the W Hollywood and hosted by Harvey Guillén, star of FX’s “What We Do in The Shadows.”
“Departing Gesture” directors Jonathan Napolitano and Brian Bolster accept the Audience Prize (Photo by Ted Soqui)
“No Sanctuary,” a short exploring human nature through the personal lens of those who have been affected by America’s indifference to gun violence, won the top prize in the student competition for University of North Carolina School...
Brian Bolster and Jonathan Napolitano’s “Departing Gesture,” a documentary short centered on a funeral director in the heart of the South confronted by societal shame and ignorance as he handles the bodies of people who have died of AIDS, took the Audience Prize at an awards ceremony held Thursday at the W Hollywood and hosted by Harvey Guillén, star of FX’s “What We Do in The Shadows.”
“Departing Gesture” directors Jonathan Napolitano and Brian Bolster accept the Audience Prize (Photo by Ted Soqui)
“No Sanctuary,” a short exploring human nature through the personal lens of those who have been affected by America’s indifference to gun violence, won the top prize in the student competition for University of North Carolina School...
- 8/23/2019
- by Emily Vogel
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Hot off completing production on the Quentin Tarantino-directed The Hateful Eight, Bruce Dern now is focusing on a new passion: producing movies written by women that present a gender viewpoint that doesn’t get near as many storytelling opportunities as men take for granted. Dern, who formed the production shingle Publicly Private Productions with partner Wendy Guerrero, has acquired Yesterday's Weirdness, a script by Amy Nicole about a college girl weighted…...
- 8/11/2015
- Deadline
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