El Dorado Film Festival is a premier showcase of independent cinema in the heart of El Dorado, Arkansas—a small town with a rich artistic heritage. Founded in 2014 as part of the South Arkansas Arts Center’s 50th anniversary, the festival has grown into a welcoming and inspiring experience for filmmakers and audiences alike, with a strong emphasis on southern hospitality.

More than just a festival, El Dorado Film Festival is a community. We celebrate the passion and dedication it takes to make a film, fostering meaningful connections between filmmakers and audiences. Here, storytellers don’t just screen their work—they build relationships, collaborate, and find new opportunities to grow together.

Each year, Keith and the Movies (a Rotten Tomatoes critic) reviews all feature films and a selection of shorts, offering valuable exposure for filmmakers.

The festival has a rich history of attracting notable guests. In 2025, the festival featured a special 40th-anniversary screening of Fright Night, attended by El Dorado native William Ragsdale, who introduced the film and participated in a Q&A session. Past special guests have also included Joey Lauren Adams (Big Daddy), Benjamin Weissner (Thunder Road), Nicholas Logan (The Last Stop in Yuma County), and Tim Molloy of MovieMaker Magazine.

At its core, the El Dorado Film Festival is about connection—bringing filmmakers together, championing their work, and helping them take the next step in their creative journey. Whether you're a filmmaker seeking a platform for your work or a cinephile eager to experience fresh voices in cinema, the El Dorado Film Festival offers an inviting and enriching experience that celebrates the art of storytelling.

Awards & Prizes

-Cash Awards-

Best of Fest - $1,500
Pam Callaway Spirit of the Festival Award - $1,000

Best Narrative Feature - $500
Best Documentary - $500
Best Short Drama - $500
Best Short Comedy - $500
Best Southern Made Short - $500
Best Arkansas Ties Short Film - $500

Rules & Terms

- All entries must be postmarked by the deadline date.
- Acceptable formats for submission: Online Submissions/Vimeo Link
- All films that are not in English must have English language subtitles.
- Each entry must be a separate submission which includes form and payment for each submission.
- Only submissions with completed entry forms and entry fee will be accepted.
- If selected, a ProRes version of your film must be sent to the El Dorado Film Festival for screening.
- Releases for music and talent must be obtained by the filmmaker. The El Dorado Film Festival is not liable for copyright infringement or unauthorized use.
- If you submit your film to the "Made in Arkansas" category and your film was not made in Arkansas, you will be immediately disqualified.
- If your film has been selected to be screened at the festival we will request you send a press kit to include: stills, posters, postcards, a file/link of the trailer, and other publicity materials to maximize exposure for your film. These materials will not be returned.
- The El Dorado Film Festival does not assume any liability for damage to films, videos, or publicity materials.

37 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Alex Hanno

    Absolutely fantastic local fest; the programmers and organizers go above and beyond to support truly independent filmmaking! The entire team loves what they do and that passion makes for a welcoming, artistic, and inspiring experience all around.

    March 2025
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  • Clayton Henderson

    Fantastic festival! Beyond the great films, the educational and networking opportunities are phenomenal considering the size of the festival. The attention to detail is the best I’ve seen and I look forward to submitting again in the future.

    March 2025
    Helpful
  • Rainbow Dickerson

    Thank you El Dorado for including THE RIVER in your 2025 festival lineup, and for the honor of awarding us, Best Drama Short!!!! Though our team was heartbroken that we could not attend in person, we have nothing but great things to say about this festival. The communication and organization of the festival was second to none. You can really tell the staff has a love of film, the arts, and artists. We felt like we were a part of a special community during our whole experience, even though we couldn't attend. We HIGHLY recommend this festival; submit today! Thank you again, El Dorado staff and volunteers, for supporting THE RIVER!

    March 2025
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  • Rafi Jacobs

    The El Dorado Film Festival is a must-hit during your festival run, punching above its weight at every turn. From top notch programming, engaging and relevant panels, and lively, community-building events, it is evident EDFF’s team prioritizes enriching filmmaker experiences. This fest was the perfect blend of filmmaking professionals with young, local talents all championing and inspiring each other’s crafts. It was truly an honor having two films in this year’s programming and I eagerly await my next opportunity to visit this special fest.

    March 2025
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  • Brad Burleson

    The El Dorado Film Festival offers a perfect blend of Southern hospitality and professional filmmaking. Thoughtfully curated, it showcases diverse voices in state-of-the-art venues, ensuring films are seen at their best. What sets it apart is its genuine focus on connection—filmmaker Q&As are insightful, and networking feels natural. For directors, it’s more than a festival; it’s a welcoming space to engage, share, and celebrate storytelling.

    March 2025
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