The Arkansas Cinema Society and its premiere event Filmland were created to build a film community in Arkansas where film lovers can watch films, share ideas, connect with each other and nurture the new and existing film talent within our state through increased exposure to filmmakers and their art.
Filmland marks it's seventh anniversary this year, furthering ACS's mission to promote local filmmakers with Filmland: Arkansas. Information and details on how to submit to Filmland: Arkansas can be found in the short film and feature film categories.
Past Filmland showings include The Bikeriders, Nomadland, Free Solo, The Eyes of Tammy Faye and more, appearing fresh off of their premieres at festivals like Sundance, Telluride, Toronto and Venice. Over the last few years, Filmland has been honored to host directors Richard Linklater, David Lowery and Michael Shannon; producers Evan Hayes, Kim Reynolds & Brian Kavanaugh-Jones; and actors Margot Robbie, Jessica Chastain, and Oscar winner and Mary Steenburgen. Most conversations are hosted by ACS co-founder Jeff Nichols or other ACS board members.
Filmland 2024 will take place August 15-18th at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts. Events and other details will be announced once special guests and screenings are finalized. Filmland: Arkansas short film selections will screen during Filmland along with a handful of narrative selections. The Panavision New Filmmaker Program will once again provide grants to winners of the Feature Film Audience Award + Professional Short Audience Award.
ACS Filmland is a non-competitive, curated event but there will be an audience award for the Filmland: Arkansas program. Winners of the Feature Film Audience Award + Professional Short Audience Award are eligible for camera equipment grants from the Panavision New Filmmaker Program worth $60,000 (feature) and $15,000 (short)! The director or producer of the eligible feature or short film must be in attendance to receive the grant.