Filmland

The Arkansas Cinema Society's FILMLAND is a curated annual celebration of cinema with a mission to nurture and inspire filmmakers in Arkansas by exposing Arkansans to filmmakers and their art. This will be ACS’s 4th annual FILMLAND.

Inspired originally by Ebertfest in Champaign, Illinois, FILMLAND hosts acclaimed filmmakers (producers, writers, actors, directors, production designers, cinematographers, etc.) at every screening. With no cross programming (single venue, one screening at a time) and only 5-10 screenings in the program each year, ACS is proud of FILMLAND's unique, intimate, quality-over-quantity program. This year will feature a drive-in and a digital experience. As with every year, each screening will be followed by an in-depth Q&A conversation with the filmmakers led by ACS Co-Founder and filmmaker Jeff Nichols.

At FILMLAND, ACS curates a collection of filmmaker-accompanied films and television shows. While the filmmakers will not be able to join us in person this year due to COVID-19, FILMLAND will still include a conversation with the filmmakers after each film! Health and safety are our top priorities this year, and we want as many people as possible to enjoy what FILMLAND has to offer.

Yes! You can get involved by helping us prepare for the festival or by working at the actual event.

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At our first annual event PREMIERE, we hosted actor Adam Driver with screenings of The Force Awakens and Paterson, director David Lowery with screenings of Pete's Dragon and A Ghost Story, and producer Noah Stahl with Patti Cake$.

ACS will screen a collection of filmmaker accompanied curated films and television shows as well as a selection of Arkansas films - either made by an Arkansan or made in Arkansas.

Submissions for Filmland:

We opened submissions during the month of June, to feature-length and short films as well as documentaries and television episodes with Arkansans in the writing, directing or producing roles.

As we felt the need to reimagine our annual event, we knew we would want to offer a comprehensive Digital Experience. We have engaged in a new platform that allows a seamless viewing experience online. You can even watch it on your tv with a code! Just download the Eventive app on your smart tv or Roku, or stream directly from your computer using AirPlay or Chromecast! So you could be in a parking lot, in your living room, in your backyard, on a mountain, in a river, in your garage, in your bedroom, in your office. Anywhere you have an internet connection! You’ll still be able to watch and vote for the Filmland: Arkansas films as well as watch the filmmaker conversations.

The Filmland Drive-In will be at MP Outdoor Cinema at 6700 Allied Way, Little Rock, AR 72209. We have a well-secured parking lot and a 36-foot cinema-grade screen. The Drive-In experience will be timed with sunsets and concessions and facilities will be offered. There will be strict adherence to Filmland 2020 Health and Safety Protocols.

Our priority is the safety of our guests and our employees and volunteers. Masks must be worn at all times when you are outside of your vehicle or when your windows are rolled down. Guests are not allowed to sit on top of vehicles. Parking is at the sole discretion of the Arkansas Cinema Society. Anyone causing a disturbance will be asked to leave.

We have worked together with the official authorities and health department to offer you an evening out celebrating films!  

Please follow all rules and guidelines set in place by the ACS staff. You will be asked to leave without a refund if you are seen breaking any of the following:

• Masks must be worn anytime you are outside of your vehicle or your windows are rolled down. 
• Maintain a distance of 6 feet from other guests not in your party when outside of your vehicle. 
• No RVs or campers will be allowed.
• Parking is at our discretion. Large and/or tall vehicles will be placed to insure all guests have an optimal viewing experience.
• Guests are not allowed to sit on top of vehicles.
• Anyone causing a disturbance will be asked to leave. No fighting, taunting, threatening remarks/gestures will be tolerated.
• Children must be supervised at all times by an adult
• No pets allowed 
• Vehicles must leave once showtime is over. No vehicles are allowed to park overnight and will be towed at the owner's expense.
• Audio/Visual recording is not allowed. If you or anyone in your party are caught recording any of the screenings or Q&As you will be asked to leave immediately, banned from all future ACS events, and could face fines. 
• No unauthorized solicitations, flyers, samples, or give-aways
• All ages are welcomed. Ratings and descriptions of the films show will be provided before the event and it will be the responsibility of guardians and individual-of-age patrons to make the decision on what is acceptable for viewing.

While a little rain won't scare us away, high winds will. Unfortunately if the event is cancelled due to inclement weather, we have a strict no refunds policy. As a nonprofit organization, we must stick to the refund policy due to the non-refundable amounts already paid out to vendors.