Geena Davis to Launch Bentonville Film Festival

Academy Award winning actor Geena Davis announced the launch of the Bentonville Film Festival.

The inaugural festival is slated for May 5 – 9 in Bentonville. The five day event will screen 75 films that highlight women and diversity in filmmaking. Winners of the competition will get guaranteed theatrical, television, digital and retail home entertainment distribution for its winners.

The festival will be hosted by ARC Entertainment, Walmart, Coca-Cola and AMC Theatres. Davis will serve as the chair. Films selected will include studio premieres to independent features and documentaries. The Festival’s Advisory Board includes Angela Bassett, Bruce Dern, Samuel L. Jackson, Randy Jackson, Eva Longoria, Julianne Moore, Paula Patton, Natalie Portman, Nina Tassler and Shailene Woodley.

Films that receive the Audience, Jury Selection and Best Family Film awards at the Bentonville Film Festival will receive a distribution agreement with a guaranteed traditional theatrical release on a minimum of 25 screens from AMC Theatres.

Film submissions for the Festival will open on January 15th 2015, with films accepted into competition being announced in March 2015.

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