The Bentonville Film Festival has announced its 2019 gala and competition slate. The fest was launched to highlight diverse and inclusive films, and this year’s program absolutely reflects that mission — its competition “includes 15 narrative films, 14 documentaries, and 9 episodic projects,” Deadline reports. “Of the lineup, 81% are female directed and 68% of the selections include a POC director and/or cast/subject in the forefront.”
The fest is hosting the world premiere of Haroula Rose’s “Once Upon a River.” The Centerpiece Screening Selection is set in 1978 rural Michigan and tells the story of a Native American teen whose “actions tragically result in her father’s murder, sending her on the run.”
Among the other women-directed offerings is Emily Ting’s “Go Back to China,” a coming-of-age comedy about a spoiled young woman who is forced to move back to China and work for the family toy business. Documentaries set to screen include “Always in Season,” Jaqueline Olive’s examination of lynching in the United States, and “Stuntwomen,” April Wright’s look inside the history and evolution of stunt women.
“This year’s lineup of films truly exemplifies our mission and we are thrilled to highlight the work of female filmmakers, people of color, LGBTQ+ filmmakers, talent with disabilities, and more — in other words, everyone,” said fest co-founder Geena Davis. “Connecting those filmmakers with audiences, providing a platform for them to tell their stories, and offering opportunities for each one of us to see a reflection of ourselves onscreen is such an essential step to help them build their careers and ensure that we can all see entertainment options that match the diversity we see in our day-to-day lives.”
The fest runs from May 7-11 in Bentonville, Arkansas. For the complete gala and competition slate, head over to Deadline.
