Porchlight Film Festival is a community-rooted celebration of regional and independent storytelling, based in historic downtown Jonesboro, Arkansas. Formerly known as the Oasis Film & Digital Media Festival, Porchlight offers a front-porch welcome to filmmakers of all backgrounds—spotlighting bold vision, emotional resonance, and authentic voices.

Anchored at the historic Forum Theatre (formerly The Strand), the festival features a weekend of screenings, filmmaker Q&As, masterclasses, student showcases, and cozy conversation spaces.

Whether you're telling your first story or your fiftieth, there's a seat waiting on the porch.

Awards & Prizes

Award categories include, but are not limited to:

Best Feature Length Film (over 50 mins)
Best Short Film (under 50 mins)
Best of Arkansas
Best of Northeast Arkansas
Best "Emerging Voices" Film (collegiate category)
Judge's Favorite

Rules & Terms

- Films must be completed in the last three years
- Submissions must be made via FilmFreeway
- Non-English films must have English subtitles
- Premiere status is not required, but regional premieres are appreciated
- Films already available online are still eligible
- Entrants must own all rights and clearances to their work
- Selected films grant Porchlight non-exclusive promotional rights (trailer, stills, title)
- Submission fees are non-refundable
- Proof of student status may be required for youth or collegiate categories
- Films with hate speech, pornography, or harmful content may be disqualified

Technical Requirements
-Minimum resolution: 720p (preferred: 1080p or DCP)
-Clean stereo audio
-Final screening files must be in professional format (MP4, DCP, or ProRes)
10 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Angela Green

    This was our first time submitting to them. We had a wonderful time. We would highly recommend them to any filmmaker.

    May 2026
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  • Jim Weter

    The Porchlight Film Festival was a great experience all around! The festival staff was welcoming and made us feel right at home. The scheduling was well-organized and everything ran smoothly at the festival which I know, being a former festival director myself, takes a lot of work to accomplish. I would highly recommend the Porchlight Film Festival and will definitely be submitting my next film there as well!

    April 2026
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  • Emma Jean Howard

    Thank you so much for having me! It was such a pleasure to watch my film on the big screen. I got to meet several really cool people and sit in on a couple interesting workshops. Everyone I met was very kind and encouraging of each other's work. I will definitely be submitting again next year!

    April 2025
    Helpful
  • Christopher Matthew Spencer

    We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to have “The Red Market” IG: @theredmarketfilm featured at your event. The entire team, from Brian Cutler Actors Studio to the dedicated students and alumni from Dodge College at Chapman University, appreciates your support and recognition. Being seen and celebrated by your audience is an honor we hold dearly.

    April 2025
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  • Garrett Brenneman

    I had two films showcase this go around. There was a large handful of workshops that ranged from a 3 hour acting class to how to visually tell a story and at least 5 other workshops so there was definitely value my one critique as a visiting filmaker is I wish there had been a Q and A after every block. I will definitely submit again.

    April 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Appreciate your feedback! We're working on that for next year. Stay tuned.