Stay in the loop with our newsletter!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
To be the very first to know what's screening at Filmland 2022, become a member or sponsor.
In Depression-Era Arkansas, River People lived free in floating communities of houseboats. Houseboat girl Helen Spence avenged her father's death to become a teenage folk hero and legendary badass the world needs today.
Learn the tricks of the trade for practical visual FX and make-up with Sahlah Tepes. Sahlah served as the FX director for both of Jason Pitts' Voorhees films, Adam Sigal's The Tower, and Inthralled by Doug Bangston. She will discuss blood squibs effects, monster make-up, and perform a bullet strike air squib demonstration.
Spending the night in her car, a newly-homeless woman wrestles with exhaustion, her crumbling marriage, and the threat of mysterious, masked strangers.
Matthew Rogers, entertainment attorney
During any film or television production there are a variety of legal dos and don'ts that are vital to its success. Avoid common pitfalls with a primer on what film industry contracts and agreements are necessary to move into production. Join us for a discussion with New York-based attorney Matthew Rogers that will help you navigate the legalese of pre-production!
At the young age of 11, Ari was forced into conversion therapy following a brief encounter with another boy. Now Ari is 35 years old and “fixed.”
But when a series of unfortunate events collide, Ari’s world crumbles, awakening dormant questions about his authentic self.
writer/director Jeff Nichols
Take a deep dive into the creative process with master storyteller Jeff Nichols as he discusses his process for taking a story from the page to the screen.
Variety's chief film critic, Peter Debruge and writer/director Jeff Nichols
Writing a movie is one thing; writing about a movie is a whole different set of skills. Join Variety’s chief critic, Peter Debruge, in a conversation with Jeff Nichols about Peter’s experience being a film critic.
director Michael Shannon
Eric LaRue follows Janice (Judy Greer), the mother of a 17-year-old boy who shot and killed three of his classmates in school. As the days move toward a meeting of the mothers affected by her son's violence, Janice struggles for insight through exchanges with her husband, pastor and coworkers. The story becomes not about the violence but about what we choose to think and do in order to survive trauma. The sympathy we feel for Janice is complicated by the dark path she takes to find her way toward healing.
producer Kim Reynolds
From award-winning filmmaker Dawn Porter comes The Lady Bird Diaries, a groundbreaking all-archival documentary film about Lady Bird Johnson, one of the most influential and least understood First Ladies. The feature film looks at the 123 hours of personal and revealing audio diaries that Lady Bird recorded during her husband’s administration. The film reveals Lady Bird as an astute observer of character and culture and a savvy political strategist; it recasts her crucial role in LBJ’s presidency and brings viewers behind the scenes of one of the most tumultuous and consequential periods in modern American history.
The Filmmaking Lab for Teen Girls' short film will screen ahead of The Lady Bird Diaries.
A remarkable true story of tenacity, friendship and the triumph of the human spirit, NYAD recounts a riveting chapter in the life of world-class athlete Diana Nyad. Three decades after giving up marathon swimming in exchange for a prominent career as a sports journalist, at the age of 60, Diana (four-time Academy Award nominee Annette Bening) becomes obsessed with completing an epic swim that always eluded her: the 110 mile trek from Cuba to Florida, often referred to as the “Mount Everest” of swims. Determined to become the first person to finish the swim without a shark cage, Diana goes on a thrilling, four-year journey with her best friend and coach Bonnie Stoll (two-time Academy Award winner Jodie Foster) and a dedicated sailing team.
The inspirational film marks the narrative directorial debut of Academy Award-winning documentary filmmakers Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin (Free Solo, The Rescue). NYAD is produced by Andrew Lazar, p.g.a. and Teddy Schwarzman, p.g.a. with a screenplay by Julia Cox, adapted from the memoir "Find a Way" by Diana Nyad.
director R J Daniel Hanna
Hard Miles tells the uplifting true story of the bicycling team at Rite of Passage’s RidgeView Academy, a medium-security correctional school in Colorado. The film follows beleaguered coach Greg Townsend (Matthew Modine) as he rounds up an unlikely crew of incarcerated students for a seemingly impossible bike ride from Denver to the Grand Canyon.
As the beginner bicyclists battle heatstroke, speed wobbles, and the greatest enemy of all cyclists - a chafed crotch - they must learn to stop fighting and ride together as a peloton. The bicycle serves not just as a means of transportation, but as a test; a way for each of these young men to see what they are truly capable of, physically, mentally, and emotionally.
As caring social worker Haddie (Cynthia Kaye McWilliams) attempts to be the voice of reason, coach Greg Townsend pushes the boys to their limit, and cracks begin to form in the peloton. Ultimately, Greg’s words will ring hollow unless he can apply his coaching advice to his own life and make amends with his dying father. In the sweltering desert, the boys reach a crossroads and must decide whether to continue down the path of least resistance, or take agency of their futures and pave the way to forgiveness.
Q+A with the Audience Award Winner following the screenings. Aaron Saffa, Manager of the New Filmmaker Program at Panavision will be on hand to award at $15,000 camera equipment grant to the Audience Award Winner.
“Buffalo + Wolfy” by Rebecca Ozer
“Bunny” by Corey Clifford + Ryan Lagod
“New Boo” by Nancy Pop
“Shipwreck” by Lisa Cole
"The Blue Dress" by Clayton Henderson
“The Devil Will Run” by Noah Glenn
“The Show” by Jesse Gi
“Thirst” by Andrea Schmitz
“Voices of God” by Cole Borgstadt
“Yes, Mother!” by Misha Calvert
Q+A with the Audience Award winner following the screenings.
“Dandelion” by Paula Blanco Perez
“DOUBLE TROUBLE!” by Levi Matthew Smith + Blake Dean Allen
“Just Benjamin” by Paige Murphy
“Kind Eyes” by Casey L. Floyd
“Spirit Day” by Annie Knight + Greg Shea
“Susan + Leslie” by Claire Barnett
Q+A with Directors Jack Porter Lofton & Jeff Dailey
Celebrating its 70th year, the world famous Memphis BBQ restaurant The Rendezvous faces unprecedented change when the legendary waiters retire and the family institution moves into a third generation.
Q+A with Directors Jack Porter Lofton & Jeff Dailey
Celebrating its 70th year, the world famous Memphis BBQ restaurant The Rendezvous faces unprecedented change when the legendary waiters retire and the family institution moves into a third generation.
Q+A with the Audience Award Winner following the screenings. Aaron Saffa, Manager of the New Filmmaker Program at Panavision will be on hand to award at $15,000 camera equipment grant to the Audience Award Winner.
“Buffalo + Wolfy” by Rebecca Ozer
“Bunny” by Corey Clifford + Ryan Lagod
“New Boo” by Nancy Pop
“Shipwreck” by Lisa Cole
"The Blue Dress" by Clayton Henderson
“The Devil Will Run” by Noah Glenn
“The Show” by Jesse Gi
“Thirst” by Andrea Schmitz
“Voices of God” by Cole Borgstadt
“Yes, Mother!” by Misha Calvert
Q+A with the Audience Award winner following the screenings.
“Dandelion” by Paula Blanco Perez
“DOUBLE TROUBLE!” by Levi Matthew Smith + Blake Dean Allen
“Just Benjamin” by Paige Murphy
“Kind Eyes” by Casey L. Floyd
“Spirit Day” by Annie Knight + Greg Shea
“Susan + Leslie” by Claire Barnett
“Back to Bora Bora" by Dwight Jackson
“Bienvenidos a Los Angeles” by Lisa Cole
“Flight” by Tyler Horne
“Good Gorgeous Hell” by Reed Cash Carson
“LALO” by Timothy Barnett
“SUNSCREEN” by Edna Luise Biesold
“The Molok” by Sam Wilson
“Uncle” by Trenton Mynatt + Mary McDade
“Leo” by Christopher Millham
“Mae” by Kristopher Pistole
“Moth” by Claire Barnett
“My Dear God” by Tara Sheffer
“Salad Days” by Corbin Pitts
“Heal the River” by Paulina Sobczak
“Limits: The Story of ArkanSTOL” by Zak Heald + Nicholas Wiench
“Well Worn Life with Dani Reyes-Acosta” by Daniel Mitchell
Directed by Nancy Pop, a young poet faces crippling writer's block amidst an unexpected pregnancy.
Directed by John-Michael Powell When Emmy Award winning actor, Dan Richards, throws an impromptu soirée at his Hollywood home with only his closest friends in attendance, a fun evening devolves into something much darker after Dan makes an unexpected announcement to the group.
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.
Special thank you to our industry partner, Final Draft, for their support of filmmakers in Arkansas.
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.
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.
Special thank you to our industry partner, Final Draft, for their support of filmmakers in Arkansas.
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.
Filmland is the Arkansas Cinema Society's annual curated celebration of cinema, hosted at the newly renovated, state-of-the-art Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts in Little Rock, packed with celebrities, Arkansas filmmakers, and film lovers from all over the South.
ACS is proud of Filmland's unique, star-studded, intimate, quality-over-quantity program. Every screening and event hosts acclaimed filmmakers from across the world for an in-depth conversation about the making of the film or their craft.
The festival also hosts educational workshops for all ages and every aspect of filmmaking. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, there is something to learn for everyone from renowned industry professionals at Filmland.
Filmland 2024 will be held at the brand new Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts in downtown Little Rock, AR
ACS screens a collection of filmmaker-accompanied, cutting-edge, relevant, 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: Arkansas 2024 are open until June 1, 2024. Click here to learn more about submitting your film.
Of course! Click here to join our volunteer list. We'll be in touch as opportunities become available.
Tickets will be available on our website once the program is announced. To gain early access to tickets, consider becoming a sponsor or a member and also enjoy year-round benefits!
As a small arts non-profit, we are not able to offer refunds. However, you are welcome to get in touch with us to put your unused ticket purchase toward a future event.
