Courtesy photo
The Arkansas Filmmakers Showcase, presented in association with Fayetteville Film Festival, that had been scheduled for Feb. 25 will now take place on Friday night, April 22 in Walton Arts Center’s Baum Walker Hall.
The showcase will feature five short films created by Arkansans, including Good Gorgeous Hell directed by Reed Cash Carson; Session 1 directed by Jazmyne Black; Once Forgotten directed by Obed Lamy; And the Winner is directoed by Michael Day; and Part of the Kingdom directed by Makenna Cofer.
“The films selected for this year’s Arkansas Filmmakers Showcase shine a light on the incredible range of filmmaking talent across the state of Arkansas,” said Fayetteville Film Festival co-executive director Russell Sharman, “The films, both narrative and documentary, all explore themes of grief, loss and disconnection, as well as the possibility of renewed connections to each other, our past and our collective future. We could not be more excited to share these local stories with more of our local audience.”
Films in the showcase range from just under 10 minutes to around 30 minutes in duration. The films will be screened in two blocks, with a 15-minute intermission between each block.
The showcase will begin at 7 p.m.
Tickets to the showcase are $15 plus fees, and are now on sale at waltonartscenter.org.
Film lineup and more info for the Arkansas Filmmakers Showcase
Details provided by Walton Arts Center
Good Gorgeous Hell (29:05)
Director: Reed Cash Carson
Description: A manic single father with a mysterious black eye desperately tries to win back the love of his 10-year-old son on a delirious day in Arkansas. Based on the writer/director’s real childhood.
Session 1 (9:18)
Director: Jazmyne Black
A young, Black woman contemplates the struggles of her role in life in modern-day society over the course of a day. Her quest for answers uncovers a shocking revelation.
Once Forgotten (23:27)
Director: Obed Lamy
Description:Reframing the story of three enslaved individuals lynched in Washington County, Arkansas, in 1856 as a local community undertaking to reestablish the truth of the events surrounding their lynching and honor their memory.
And the Winner Is (14:32)
Director: Michael Day
Description:Sydney Davis finally wins the most prestigious award for best film director. While he believes he has created more opportunities for Black filmmakers, his wife, Tonya, believes he may have compromised his morals and beliefs to secure the award.
Part of the Kingdom (29:57)
Director: Makenna Cofer
Description:An investigation of the unique struggle LGBTQ+ students face at Christian universities, specifically at John Brown University. Discussion surrounding the LGBTQ+ community is full of heated tension in Siloam Springs. Part of The Kingdom amplifies the voices of the LGBTQ+ students at JBU, providing them with a platform to share their story. This piece tackles conversations that are uncomfortable for most Christian communities, teaching us that it should be safe to be known.
