An intimate and moving story about love, friendship, and connection, set in a coastal town in Southern England against the social turmoil of the early 1980s. Hilary, a woman with a difficult past and an uneasy present, is part of a makeshift family at the old Empire Cinema on the seafront. When Stephen is hired to work in the cinema, the two find an unlikely attraction and discover the healing power of movies, music and community.

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Aisha is an undocumented nanny working for a privileged couple in New York City. As she prepares for the arrival of the son she left behind in Senegal, a violent supernatural presence Invades her reality, threatening the American dream she is painstakingly piecing together.

Featuring Frederick Gentry and Eric Reese, Human Rights Campaign Arkansas State Director

Moderated by Denise Donnell, Senior Cultural Consultant, Just Communities of Arkansas

In Elegance Bratton’s deeply moving film inspired by his own story, a young, gay Black man, rejected by his mother and with few options for his future, decides to join the Marines, doing whatever it takes to succeed in a system that would cast him aside. But even as he battles deep-seated prejudice and the grueling routines of basic training, he finds unexpected camaraderie, strength, and support in this new community, giving him a hard-earned sense of belonging that will shape his identity and forever change his life.

Q+A with Writer/Director Neil LaBute & Actor Gia Crovatin, moderated by ACS Board Member and screenwriter Graham Gordy.

Driving home to her secluded estate after meeting at a local bar, a player out to score thinks his beautiful, mysterious date will be another casual hook-up. While getting acquainted, their flirtation turns playful, sexy, and sinister. Hoping to get lucky, his luck may have just run out.

Q+A with Cinematographer Mark Irwin, ASC/CSC

Ted’s dream prom date with Mary never happens due to an embarrassing injury at her home. Years later, Ted hires Pat Healy to track down Mary so he can reconnect with her. Pat lies to Ted about Mary and he finds out everything he can about her to trick her into dating him. Ted travels to meet Mary and has to weave through the web of lies that Pat and Mary’s friend Tucker have woven to try and win her over.

Mei Lee is a confident, dorky 13-year-old torn between staying her mother’s dutiful daughter and the chaos of adolescence. Her protective, if not slightly overbearing mother, Ming, is never far from her daughter—an unfortunate reality for the teenager. And as if changes to her interests, relationships, and body weren’t enough, whenever she gets too excited (which is practically ALWAYS), she “poofs” into a giant red panda!

Q+A with Director Kristian R. Hill, Producer Jennifer Washington, & Executive Producer Christian McLarty Arquette

A vibrant and nostalgic music documentary that showcases the beginnings of techno music and how Detroit, Michigan was the creative and cultural hub for the creation and development of these beats. This lively exploration takes viewers from Detroit to Chicago to London and Berlin, tracing techno’s origins in the African American, and not the German, community. Focusing on the talent of a group of young Black artists, this is a compelling, rarely showcased history of mismanaged success, damaged friendships, ascendant beats, and raw inspiration.

Writer/Director Neil LaBute and Actors David Arquette & Gia Crovatin

During this interactive workshop, participants will explore one of the biggest responsibilities of a director—blocking and rehearsing with actors. This workshop will focus on how to effectively communicate with actors and will discuss both the actor's and director's approach to staging a scene.

Aaron Saffa, Manager of the New Filmmaker Program at Panavision

This Panavision presentation discusses the key considerations in creating powerful, professional imagery. With the many choices brought by new imaging technology, it’s crucial that not only cinematographers, but producers, directors and other industry professionals understand both the reasons for, and the impact of these choices throughout the production pipeline. This presentation is designed to illuminate these topics in a way that is engaging for camera professionals, but also accessible for a general industry audience.

Cinematographer Mark Irwin, ASC/CSC

For the past 50 years, expert cinematographer Mark Irwin, ASC/CSC has worked on 150 films, including major hits like Dumb and Dumber, There's Something About Mary and The Fly. Join us for a fascinating discussion on what goes on behind the camera and gain insight into Irwin's long and successful career and his films.

Screenwriter Spade Robinson

This workshop takes screenwriters through a replicable process for developing multi-dimensional characters. It will include industry standard character development exercises and putting these approaches to work for your current and future screenplays. By the end of the workshop, writers will have the tools to develop compelling characters for the rest of their careers. Thanks to our Industry Partner Final Draft, participants will receive 6 months free of Final Draft 12.

Director Kristian R. Hill and Producer Jennifer Washington

Documentarians Jennifer Washington and Kristian Hill share their experiences and reflect on the key steps they took toward their goal of making a feature film. Following a screening of their short film "Electric Roots: The Detroit Sound Project the filmmakers will discuss their journey from showing this short at the Cannes Film Festival to making their feature film God Save Give 'Em Drum Machines.

Gaffer Brian Johnson, Film Gear Rentals

Ever wondered what all that stuff is on a film set? Walk through a grip van during this hands-on, interactive workshop to find out! You’ll learn from experienced grips with Arkansas’ leading equipment rental service, Film Gear Rentals, what the common pieces of equipment are, what they do, and how to use them.