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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.
In 2010, a red tide swept Arkansas, flipping many federal and state offices to Republican control. But Democratic Governor Mike Beebe not only won re-election, he carried all 75 counties in Arkansas, an unprecedented feat. How did he do that? Watch AETN: Men & Women of Distinction: Governor Mike Beebe. In this uplifting one-hour documentary, commissioned in 2015 and directed by Kathryn Tucker, the former Governor reflects on his 32 years in elected office, with added perspectives from his wife Ginger, former Governor’s Chief of Staff - Morril Harriman, former Governor’s Director of Communications - Matt DeCample, columnist - John Brummett, ASU Fraternity Brother & Longtime Friend - Johnny Allison, and former Attorney General’s Chief of Staff - Colette Honorable.
Jayme Lemons Writer Lucy Alibar and Director BERT
In rural 1977 Georgia, a misfit girl dreams of life in outer space. When a competition offers her a chance to be recorded on NASA's Golden Record, she recruits a makeshift troop of Birdie Scouts, forging friendships that last a lifetime.
Buenos Aires Grill 9:30 pm - midnight
Musical Guest: Dazz & Brie
ACS Board Member Jayme Lemons and Academy-Award Winning Producer Evan Hayes
Free Solo won an Academy Award this year for Best Documentary. Professional rock climber Alex Honnold attempts to conquer the first free solo climb of famed El Capitan's 900-metre vertical rock face at Yosemite National Park.
The Rail Yard 9:00 pm - midnight
Musical Guest: A Rowdy Faith
Join us for our Directors Panel featuring Jeff Nichols, Andrew Stanton, & Joel Edgerton as they discuss the art and science of filmmaking from the perspective of the director.
The Rev Room 9:00 pm - 1:00 am
Musical Guest: Michael Johnson
FILMLAND: Arkansas filmmakers after Arkansas Shorts Block 2
PURPLE MONSTER: Three friends prepare for a carefree night of relaxing and getting high only to end up discovering the deeper problems weighing on their minds.
DRAGONSLAYER: In rural Arkansas in the 1990s, a gay teenager agrees to chauffeur his only friend to a meeting with a stranger from an online chatroom, all the while battling his own romantic feelings.
The Rev Room 9:00 pm - 1:00 am
Musical Guest: Michael Johnson
FILMLAND: Arkansas filmmakers
These selected shorts will be screened in this order:
ODD HAPPENINGS IN A TINY TENT by Jesse Burks SHELTER by Daniel Hanna
THE BENCH by Bronson Crabtree
UNOS HUEVOS by David C Cruz
INTO THE GREEN by Mary McDade Casteel
MIKE THE BIRDMAN by Paige Murphy
The Rev Room 9:00 pm - 1:00 am
Musical Guest: Michael Johnson
Jeff Nichols and Director Joel Edgerton
Boy Erased is the story of Jared Eamons, the son of a small-town Baptist pastor, must overcome the fallout after being outed as gay to his parents. This film is based on Arkansas-native Garrard Conley’s memoir Boy Erased: A Memoir.
The Rev Room 9:00 pm - 1:00 am
Musical Guest: Michael Johnson
Jeff Nichols and Writer Andrew Stanton
Woody, Buzz Lightyear and the rest of the gang embark on a road trip with Bonnie and a new toy named Forky. The adventurous journey turns into an unexpected reunion as Woody's slight detour leads him to his long-lost friend Bo Peep. As Woody and Bo discuss the old days, they soon start to realize that they're worlds apart when it comes to what they want from life as a toy.
Lost Forty 9:00 pm - midnight
Musical Guest: Brae Leni and the Blackouts
Jeff Nichols and Director Andrew Stanton
Will Byers finds himself the target of the Upside Down a year after his disappearance as a large tentacled figure named the Mind Flayer soon terrorizes the citizens of Hawkins, drawing back Joyce and Hopper along with Mike's sister Nancy, Will's brother Jonathan, and Nancy's boyfriend Steve, as well as Will's close friends; Mike, Dustin and Lucas. The whole group along with Californian newcomer Maxine as well as a missing Eleven must join forces once again to prevent the threat from increasing.
Lost Forty 9:00 pm - midnight
Musical Guest: Brae Leni and the Blackouts
The ACS FILMLAND: Curated Program consists of selections made by our Programming Committee and the attending filmmakers. Selections for the curated program are not chosen through submissions and it is a non-competitive program.
The ACS FILMLAND: Arkansas Program consists of selections made by a group of Arkansas Filmmakers and Film lovers selected by our Arkansas Program Committee to judge open submissions of films made by Arkansans or made in Arkansas. The Arkansas Program is not competitive in nature with the exception of an audience award which will be awarded annually at Filmland.
Many FILMLAND screenings sell out, so we have created the FILMLAND Pass. For $300 you get one ticket to every screening during FILMLAND. We still require that you RSVP for each screening that you would like to attend.
The FILMLAND Pass includes:
FILMLAND Pass: $300
Please read these FILMLAND PASS DISCLAIMERS carefully:
ACS Members, Sponsors and FILMLAND Passholders: Individual screenings tickets go on sale: Thursday, August 1, at noon.
General Public: Individual screenings tickets go on sale: Monday, August 5th, at noon.
Tickets to all ACS screenings are sold separately online and at the door if not sold out in online pre-sale.
By becoming a sponsor you receive a certain number of free tickets to screenings depending on your level. If you are Interested in becoming an ACS Individual Sponsor, click here.
Our after-parties allow attendees and filmmakers to connect to create.
Sponsors of the ACS receive the following perks during FilmLand:
Depending on your level of contribution, sponsors can also receive:
Questions on how to claim your tickets? Email: sponsor@arkansascinemasociety.org
Want to become a sponsor? Click the button below!
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.
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.
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:
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.
The Arkansas Cinema Society’s work and mission would not be possible without the support of our patrons and sponsors. Thank you for believing in the power of film to transform our community.
