Walton Arts Center has partnered with Fayetteville Film Fest to bring a curated evening of film featuring award-winning titles from the Fayetteville Film Fest in October, Best of the 2021 Fest takes place at 7 pm on Saturday, March 12.  

“Every year we are so excited to bring dozens of amazing films from all over the world to Northwest Arkansas,” said Russell Sharman, co-executive director of Fayetteville Film Fest. “And now we get to shine a light on the very best of those films during this special, curated event of award-winning films from our 2021 festival. This year, that includes our best narrative short award-winner, Anna, a timely drama set in war-torn eastern Ukraine. We are proud of the slate of award-winning films in this program.”

Jurors reviewed submissions from filmmakers and selected five titles for inclusion in Best of the Fest Showcase. The films will be screened in two blocks with a 15-minute intermission.  

BEST OF THE FEST SHOWCASE SCHEDULE

Best Narrative Short - Anna (15:00)

• Directed by Dekel Berenson
• Living in war-torn Eastern Ukraine, Anna is an aging single mother who is desperate for a change. Lured by a radio advertisement, she goes to party with a group of American men who are touring the country searching for love.

Best Short Documentary - There Was Nobody Here We Knew (9:10)

• Directed by Khaula Malik
• After spotting what they believe is a UFO outside their window, a middle-aged Pakistani couple contemplates alien life and searches for answers during lockdown.  

Best Arkansas Connection - Blood on the Risers (19:25)

• Directed by Caleb Fanning
• It’s 1945. Many men and women have returned home from serving in World War II, but for some, the war is not over. This is where we find Charlie Evans – a paratrooper who fought in Normandy on D-Day. After three years of deployment, Charlie returns home to his wife, Afton, who is ignorant of the burdens that he brings home with him. The film tells the story of his struggle to reconcile the trauma of war and a peaceful life at home.  

Honorable Mention: Best Documentary Feature - Rap Squad (60:00)

• Directed by Nathan Willis
• Rap Squad is an intimate verité documentary about student hip-hop artists who seek healing for themselves and justice for their community through their music. In the Arkansas Delta, students Montae and Norman join an after-school club – the Central Rap Squad – and begin writing music to cope with personal traumas. When their rural town prepares to vote on a proposal that would raise property taxes in order to build a new public high school, the young men shift their focus from inner healing to social action, using their music and platform to fight for a more equitable future.

Best Narrative Feature - Club of Angels (98:00)

• Directed by Angelo Defanti
• A group of friends meet a mysterious chef who may be poisoning them. Why do they want to keep returning to eat his food?  

Two additional film events presented in partnership with the Fayetteville Film Fest have also been announced. The Arkansas Filmmakers Showcase was rescheduled from Friday, Feb. 25, due to inclement weather. It will now be 7 pm on Friday, April 22. A complete list of films for this screening is available at www.waltonartscenter.org. Indie Films Artosphere will be 7 pm on Thursday, May 26. Film selections for this showcase will be announced at a later date.  

Tickets to film showcases are $15 plus applicable fees. Purchase tickets in-person at the Walton Arts Center Box Office weekdays 10 am until 2 pm, by calling 479.443.5600 weekdays 10 am until 5 pm or by visiting waltonartscenter.org.  All patrons will be required to wear a mask while inside Walton Arts Center. Information about additional safety protocols can be found at waltonartscenter.org.

‍