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The Arkansas Cinema Society (ACS) is set to once again transform the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts (AMFA) during the eighth annual Filmland – Arkansas’ premiere celebration of cinema – this August 13-17th, showcasing everything from groundbreaking independent films fresh off the festival circuit to rising Arkansas storytellers poised to make their mark.
“Last year’s Filmland was the best yet,” said ACS Executive Director Kathryn Tucker. “We had the privilege of presenting two-time Oscar nominee Colman Domingo with our inaugural Southern Storytellers Award and chatting with Clint Bentley and Monique Walton–part of the team behind the award-winning film Sing Sing–alongside many other talented filmmakers like Craig Brewer, Dylan Sprouse, Christy Hall, Michael Schwartz, Kyle Hausmann-Stokes and Hart Denton. And, of course, having Variety’s Peter DeBruge host the inaugural Southern Storytellers Panel at the stunning AMFA was such a thrill. We can’t wait to bring more phenomenal films and filmmakers to AMFA this summer.”
Filmland has gained national attention in recent years with coverage from Variety. Filmmakers have traveled from around the world to showcase their work and host workshops, which is helping Little Rock gain a reputation as a cultural hub.
"Filmland has become one of Little Rock's signature cultural events, drawing film enthusiasts and industry professionals from across the country to our vibrant city," said Ryan Callison, Vice President of Marketing & Communications at the Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau. "Events like this not only enrich our local arts scene but drive significant tourism impact, with visitors filling our hotels, restaurants, and cultural venues. We're proud to support this world-class festival that showcases Little Rock as a premier destination for arts and entertainment."
Over the last seven years, Filmland has been honored to host award-winning filmmakers like actors Jessica Chastain, Joel Edgerton, Will Forte, Ted Danson, David Arquette and ACS board member Mary Steenburgen along with directors including Chloé Zhao, Richard Linklater, David Lowery, Neil LaBute, David Gordon Green and Jeff Nichols; and producers such as Evan Hayes, Jayme Lemons, Christina McLarty Arquette, Fred Berger and Brian Kavanaugh-Jones. Filmland has showcased award-winning films such as The Bikeriders, Nomadland, The Eyes of Tammy Faye and Free Solo from top festivals like Sundance, Telluride, Toronto and Venice before they had a theatrical release in Arkansas. Each screening features a Q+A moderated by Writer/director and ACS Co-founder Jeff Nichols, board members or staff. Filmland also features selections from Filmland: Arkansas and the short films created each year by the Spring Break Teen Filmmaking Lab and the Filmmaking Lab for Teen Girls.
Filmland Short Film Pitch Contest
ACS will debut its first-ever Short Film Pitch Contest at Filmland 2025, offering emerging Arkansas filmmakers a shot at bringing their creative visions to life. Selected contestants will have two minutes to pitch their short film concepts to a panel of industry professionals. The stakes? A generous film equipment grant from Film Gear Rentals to produce their project, plus a guaranteed premiere screening at Filmland 2026. This dynamic competition spotlights Arkansas's growing film community while providing crucial resources to talented local storytellers. Contestants must have prior filmmaking experience and commit to shooting their projects within the state, ensuring these stories are authentically Arkansan from concept to completion. Applications will open in early March so stay tuned for more information.
Filmland: Arkansas Submissions Open
Filmland: Arkansas will take place during Filmland once again. Submissions are open now through June 1st via FilmFreeway for short films and features. Selected filmmakers will be notified by July 1st. Filmland: Arkansas is non-competitive but the audience has the opportunity to support their favorite local filmmakers! Each professional category features an Audience Award, chosen by those in attendance. The winners of the Professional Shorts and Feature categories are eligible for a Panavision New Filmmaker Grant of $15,000 and $60,000 respectively to be put towards film equipment for their next project.
Submissions are for films made in Arkansas, filmmakers from Arkansas who made a film elsewhere, and Arkansas-based producers, directors, and writers. Films may also be considered if an Arkansas native plays the lead or key role such as an Actor, Production Designer, Costume Designer, Sound Designer, Composer, Editor, Cinematographer, Animator, Visual Effects, Makeup and Hair or First Assistant Director. The Arkansas filmmaker(s) must be available to participate in a conversation about the film if accepted. ACS members receive 50 percent off submission fees.
At ACS, we believe that if we provide filmmakers an arena to exhibit their talents, and film enthusiasts a healthy diet of quality programming, we can inspire more Arkansans to make and watch more films. By supporting filmmakers, festivals, theaters and young people interested in filmmaking throughout the state, we hope to create statewide network, pool Arkansas’s resources and be an umbrella organization that feeds all things film. We believe a rising tide lifts all boats.
To be a filmmaker, we have to connect to create. A painter needs a brush, paint and a canvas. A director needs a writer, a cinematographer, a sound mixer, production designer, editor, actors, distributors, and an audience. We cannot do it alone. This art form forces one to collaborate and thus, creates jobs. Filmmaking is unique in the arts in this way. It takes an army.
