Dustin spoke to the Directors and writers of the film "Love Always, Mom"

Dustin sat down with the Directors and writers Tricia Russo, Craig E. Shapiro of the film "Love Always, Mom".  This film was entered as Competition - Feature Documentary in the Bentonville Film Festival.  "Love Always, Mom" is a film with a never before seen look into the battle against metastatic breast cancer, as well as infertility, IVF, egg donation, and surrogacy. Moreover, it is about undying motherly love and a love letter to an unborn child.

*2018 Bentonville Film Festival winner.  "Love Always, Mom" won an Audience Award for Best Documentary Film at the festival.

Love Always, Mom
Director(s): Tricia Russo, Craig E. Shapiro
Writer(s): Tricia Russo, Craig E. Shapiro
Producer(s): Produced by Tricia Russo, Craig E. Shapiro, Executive produced by Debra & Michael Gelband, Arlene & Tom Gonnella. Associate Produced by Maureen & Tom Drummond, Amy & Waltern Gorman, Holly & George Mattson, Donna & Don Russo
Cast:
Subjects- Meghan & Matthew Brenner, Kali Rogers & Andrew Solomon, Arlene Gonnella, Tricia & Greg Russo, and introducing Grayson Russo

After 3 plus years battling stage 4 breast cancer, Trish Russo and her husband Greg, make the controversial decision to embark on a journey to have

a child using an egg donor and a surrogate. 

Film Website: lovealwaysmomthemovie/

You can find out more about the film and other films at the Bentonville Film Festival on bentonvillefilmfestival.com/

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BFF Announces its 2018 Winners at the Awards Ceremony, Presented by P&G

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 
BFF Announces its 2018 Winners at the Awards Ceremony, Presented by P&G
Five of Five Feature Film Winners are BFF World Premieres
More than Half of Winning Directors Are Women

BENTONVILLE, AR (May 5, 2018) — The Bentonville Film Festival (BFF) founded by Walmart and Presented by Coca-Cola, announced its 2018 Award Winning Films, and honors at an Awards Ceremony, presented by P&G, at the Crystal Bridges American Museum of Art. 
The show was hosted by The Real’s Loni Love, and presenters included festival Co-Founders Geena Davis and Trevor Drinkwater, and actor Stephanie Beatriz, with performances by Martina McBride and the Latin X Theater Project. Actor and filmmaker Natalie Morales was presented with BFF’s first SEE IT, BE IT award, recognizing her rising and influential voice in the landscape of diversity and inclusion in media.

The winning film received award recognition as well as prizes from the awards partners listed below. Five out of five feature film award winners made their world premiere at this year’s festival.

Jury Awards:

Best Narrative Film: LEZ BOMB, (World Premiere), Director: Jenna Laurenzo, includes guaranteed distribution offer from a BFF distribution partner

Best Documentary Film: EMANUEL (World Premiere), Director Brian Ivie, includes a mentorship prize package from ITVS

Best Short Film: THE BROWNLIST, Directors: Kelly Walker and Ryan Garcia, includes a feature film directing job from MarVista Entertainment

Best Episodic: BEAST, Director Ben Strang, includes a mentorship prize package from SeriesFest

Audience Awards:

Best Narrative Film: MISS ARIZONA (World Premiere), Director Autumn McAlpin

Best Documentary Film: LOVE ALWAYS MOM (World Premiere), Directors Tricia Russo, Craig E. Shapiro

Best Short Film: LABORATORY CONDITIONS, Director Jocelyn Stamat

Best Episodic: BROOKLYNIFCATION, Director Keith Miller

Best of the Fest: F.R.E.D.I. (World Premiere) Director Sean Olson


Click here for full press release

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Director and Writer Autumn McAlpin spoke to us about the film "Miss Arizona".

Director and Writer Autumn McAlpin of the film "Miss Arizona" spoke to us at the festival.  The film is entered as a Competition - Feature Narrative in the Bentonville Film Festival.  The film is about a former "Miss Arizona" that becomes one of five women embark on an all-night adventure through L.A.’s darkest streets and wildest drag club as the women fight to survive, and in so doing, discover what they need most.

*2018 Bentonville Film Festival winner.  "Miss Arizona" won an Audience Award for Best Narrative Film at the festival.

Director and Writer Autumn McAlpin interview

Miss Arizona
Director(s): Autumn McAlpin
Writer(s): Autumn McAlpin
Producer(s): Deanna Cooper & Autumn McAlpin
Cast:
Johanna Braddy (Rose), Robyn Lively (Leslie), Dana Wheeler-Nicholson (Maybelle), Steve Guttenberg (Gary/Emerald), Missi Pyle (Bev), Otmara Marrero (Sammy), Shoniqua Shandai (Jasmine), Willam (Delilah), Ginger Minj (as herself)
Rose Raynes was crowned Miss Arizona - 15 years ago. Now a bored housewife trapped in a less-than-ideal marriage, and mourning the independence of her 10-year-old son, Rose accepts an invitation to teach a life skills class at a women’s shelter.  And ends up on a one night adventure with five women through L.A.’s darkest streets and wildest drag club as the women fight to survive, and in so doing, discover what they need most.

Film Website or Facebook:  MissAzMovie

You can find out more about the Bentonville Film Festival on bentonvillefilmfestival.com/

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Director and Writer Skye Borgman talks about her film "Abducted in Plain Sight".

We had a chance to speak with Director and Writer Skye Borgman about her film Abducted in Plain Sight.  "Abducted in Plain Sight" was a Competition - Feature Documentary enter in the Bentonville Film Festival.  This film is based on a true story and tells of one family’s struggle with desire, deceit, faith and forgiveness. 

Director and Writer Skye Borgman

ABDUCTED IN PLAIN SIGHT

Director(s): Skye Borgman

Writer(s): James Cude and Skye Borgman

Producer(s): Skye Borgman, Stephanie Tobey, Emily Kincaid

Cast:

Jan Broberg, Mary Ann Broberg, Bob Broberg

On October 17, 1974, 12 year old Jan Broberg was kidnapped by her next door neighbor and parents' best friend. Abducted in Plain Sight is a feature length documentary about the stranger-than-fiction, true story of the Brobergs; an Idaho family who fell under the spell of a sociopathic neighbor with designs on their twelve-year-old daughter.

Film Website: abducteddoc.com/

You can find out more about the Bentonville Film Festival on bentonvillefilmfestival.com/

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Academy Award Winning Actress Geena Davis Speaks About This Year's Bentonville Film Festival

Arkansas CW Crew-Jeremy Turner and Actress Geena Davis

The Bentonville Film Festival was co-founded by Academy Award® winner Geena Davis & Inclusion Companies CEO Trevor Drinkwater.    We had a chance to speak with Actress Geena Davis about this year's 2018 festival.  Check out her interview below.

You can find out more about the Bentonville Film Festival on bentonvillefilmfestival.com/

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Director Kendall Goldberg and Actor Jon Heder talk about their Film "When Jeff Tried To Save The World".

Actor Jon Heder, Director Kendall Goldberg and Crew member Jeremy Turner

We had a chance to sit down with Director Kendall Goldberg and Actor Jon Heder  to talk about their film "When Jeff Tried to Save the World".  The film is entered as Competition - Feature Narrative in the Bentonville Film Festival.  Check out their interview below.

Director Kendall Goldberg and Actor Jon Heder Part 1

Director Kendall Goldberg and Actor Jon Heder  Part 2

When Jeff Tried to Save the World
Director(s): Kendall Goldberg
Writer(s): Kendall Goldberg, Rachel Borgo
Producer(s): Shane Simmons, Kendall Goldberg, Jimmy Seargeant, Sam Slate
Cast:
Jon Heder (Jeff), Brendan Meyer (Stanford), Anna Konkle (Lindy), Maya Erskine (Samantha), Steve Berg (Frank), Candi Milo (Sheila), Jim O'Heir (Carl)

Jeff (Jon Heder) is the manager of an old-school bowling alley called Winky’s World. Everyday he is the first to arrive and the last to leave. He has memorized the shoe sizes of community regulars and the quirks of his fellow employees. Routine is Jeff’s middle name, and it’s up to him to keep everything and everyone in order.  Jeff is forced to face the reality that his life as he knows it may slip out of his grip.

Film Website:  https://www.facebook.com/WhenJeffMovie/

You can find out more about the film and other films at the Bentonville Film Festival on bentonvillefilmfestival.com/

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Mars Petcare Is Helping Find Homes For Pets At The Bentonville Film Festival

We had a chance to talk pets with Better Cities for Pets booth with Jan Heidel-Staelens Director of Supply for MARS Petcare.  MARS is out in full force helping pets find good homes in our community during the Bentonville Film Festival this week. If you are making a new addition to your family go by the Better Cities for Pets booth in sponsor village at the Bentonville Film Festival. Check out what Jan had to say in the below interview. 

You can find out more about the Bentonville Film Festival on bentonvillefilmfestival.com/

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Cast Member Speaks About The Film "Sadie"

Actress Sophia Mitri Schloss who plays the main character in "Sadie" spoke with Dustin about the film. The film is a Competition - Feature Narrative at the Bentonville Film Festival.
"Sadie" is about a 13 year old who goes to extreme measures to end her mothers relationship with a new man in a effort to save her family through the only way she knows. Check out her cast

SADIE
Director(s): Megan Griffiths
Writer(s): Megan Griffiths
Producer(s): Lacey Leavitt, Jennessa West
Cast:
Sophia Mitri Schloss (Sadie), Melanie Lynskey (Rae), John Gallagher Jr. (Cyrus), Tony Hale (Bradley), Danielle Brooks (Carla), Tee Denard (Deak), Keith L. Williams (Francis)

SADIE is the story of a 13-year-old girl who lives at home with her mother while her father serves repeated tours in the military. With her dad's prolonged absence, her mother begins dating a new man, Sadie takes extreme measures to end the relationship.

Sadie official site: sadiefilm.com

You can find out more about the film and other films at the Bentonville Film Festival on bentonvillefilmfestival.com/

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Director Robin Berghaus talks about her film "Stumped".

Director Robin Berghaus talks about her film "Stumped".  "Stumped" is entered in the Competition - Feature Documentary in the Bentonville Film Festival.  The film is about four year journey into a filmmakers life after he has to come to terms with the lose of his limbs and a new opportunity that might allow him to gain his independence.  

Interview with Director Robin Berghaus

STUMPED
Director(s): Robin Berghaus
Producer(s): Robin Berghaus, Bryan W. Davies, Sam Kauffmann, Kevin McCarthy
Cast:
Will Lautzenheiser, Angel Gonzalez
When filmmaker Will Lautzenheiser’s limbs are amputated, his life is derailed and he turns to stand-up comedy as therapy. Meanwhile, a world-famous medical team is performing transplants that restore bodies to unprecedented levels. Despite grave risks, Will agrees to undergo an experimental double-arm transplant in the hope of reclaiming his independence.

Stumped Facebook Page:  stumpedthemovie

You can find out more about the film and other films at the Bentonville Film Festival on bentonvillefilmfestival.com/

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The Director of "Benji The Dove" Spoke To Us About The Film

Director and writer Kevin Arbouet of the film "Benji The Dove" spoke to us about his film that is entered as a Competition - Feature Narrative in the Bentonville Film Festival.  "Benji The Dove" is a tender tale of four boys who are coming to terms with school, bullies, friendship and loyalty.

Director/Writer Kevin Arbouet 

BENJI THE DOVE
Director(s): Kevin Arbouet
Writer(s): Brandon Dickerson, Kevin Arbouet, Fridrik Erlingsson (novel)
Producer(s): Erlingur Jack Gudmundsson, Gregory Martin
Cast:
Lynn Cohen, Kelly AuCoin, Royce Johnson
The film is based off the critically acclaimed book of the same name and the Biblical story of Abraham in Genesis which tells a tale of four boys who are rapidly coming to terms with school, bullies, friendship, and loyalty.

You can find out more about the film and other films at the Bentonville Film Festival on bentonvillefilmfestival.com/

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Grand Opening of McLarty Daniel Buick GMC dealership this Friday

Come Join the Bentonville and Rogers/Lowell Chambers of Commerce, Community Leaders, McLarty Daniel Company Officials and the Public this Friday May 4th to celebrate the Grand Opening of McLarty Daniel Buick GMC dealership located at 2517 SE Best Lane in Bentonville!  The event will start at 11 am. There will be Food, huge giveaways every 15 minutes from 11 to 1pm and entertainment for you to enjoy. 

First 100 people to RSVP receive a MD gift bag.  Please RSVP to sorman@McLartyDaniel.com

Director P.J. Marcellino speaks about his film "When They Awake"

We sat down with Director/Writer/Producer P.J. Marcellino of "When they Awake" a Competition - Feature Documentary in the Bentonville Film Festival.  It's a film's filled with roller coaster of emotions of emerging indigenous musicians in the moment of cultural and political resurgence.  Check out his interview below about the film.  

Director/Writer/Producer P.J. Marcellino

WHEN THEY AWAKE Director(s): P.J. Marcellino and Hermon Farahi
Writer(s): P.J. Marcellino
Producer(s): P.J. Marcellino
Cast:
Tanya Tagaq, Leela Gilday, Leanne Goose, Iskwe, A Tribe Called Red, The Jerry Cans, Don Amero, Wab Kinew, Logan Staats

When They Awake is a vibrant celebration of a remarkable generation of Indigenous musicians across North America, at a watershed moment of social, cultural, and political resurgence.

Film's Website:  whentheyawake.com

You can find out more about the film and other films at the Bentonville Film Festival on bentonvillefilmfestival.com/

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Film Director Kate Hickey Passionately Discusses Her Film "Roller Dreams"

Film Director Kate Hickey passionately discusses her film "Roller Dreams" with Jeremy that is enter Competition - Feature Documentary in the Bentonville Film Festival.  This film is about the rise and fall of the roller skate scene from 1978 to now.  Check out her interview below. 

ROLLER DREAMS
Director(s): Kate Hickey
Producer(s): Cecilia Ritchie, Diana Ward
Cast:
Mad, Sara Messenger, Terrell Ferguson, Larry Pitts, Jimmy Rich, Duval Stowers

It’s 1984 and Venice Beach, CA, is at the epicenter of a pop culture explosion. Young people of color seeking refuge from the turmoil of inner city life flock to the eclectic ocean community to create a brand new phenomenon: roller dancing!  But just as roller dancing flourishes, politics, money and gentrification conspire to take their dreams away.

Photo provided by Director Kate Hickey

Roller Dreams Facebook page: rollerdreams

You can find out more about the film and other films at the Bentonville Film Festival on bentonvillefilmfestival.com/

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Director and Producer of "Rust Creek" Talks About Their Featured Narrative Film

Director Jen McGowan

Director and producer of "Rust Creek" talks about their competitive-featured narrative film at the Bentonville Film Festival.  Jen McGowan and Stu Pollard sit down with Jeremy to talk about "Rust Creek". Check out their interviews below.

Interview with Jen McGowan-Rust Creek

Interview with Stu Pollard and Jen McGowan

Director(s): Jen McGowan
Writer(s): Julie Lipson
Producer(s): Stu Pollard
Cast:
Hermione Corfield (Sawyer Scott), Jay Paulson (Lowell Pritchert), Sean O'Bryan (Sheriff O'Doyle), Micah Hauptman (Hollister Pritchert)
When an overachieving college senior road trip becomes a life-changing fight for survival in the wilds of eastern Kentucky.

Film website: rustcreek.com

You can find out more about the film and other films at the Bentonville Film Festival on bentonvillefilmfestival.com/

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Writer and Cast member Charlene deGuzman speeks about her film "Unlovable"

Jeremy sat down with Charlene deGuzman whose film "Unlovable" which is a competitive-featured narrative film in the Bentonville Film Festival. Check out her interview below.

UNLOVABLE

Director(s): Suzi Yoonessi
Writer(s): Charlene deGuzman, Sarah Adina Smith & Mark Duplass
Producer(s): Executive Producers: Suzi Yoonessi Mark Duplass Jay Duplass; Producer: Jen Roskind; Co-Producer: Louise Shore
Cast:
Charlene deGuzman (JOY), John Hawkes (JIM), Paul James (BEN), Ellen Geer (NANA), Melissa Leo (MADDIE)

Joy (Charlene deGuzman) has a huge gaping hole in her soul. She tries to fill it with romance but what she's gets is never enough; she always needs more. She's used to crashing and burning -- that is until she ends up losing not only her latest boyfriend, but also her job and home.

You can find out more about the film and other films at the Bentonville Film Festival on bentonvillefilmfestival.com/

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Jeremy talks to the Director of the film Anjelica

Crew member Jeremy Turner had a chance to sit down with the director of the film Anjelica, Marisol Gomez-Mouakad.  Anjelica is a film at the Bentonville Film Festival.  The film is about Anjelica life of escaping from her mixed racial identity, but a family crisis causes her to rethink her life.  Check out her interview below.

Director/Writer/(s): Marisol Gomez-Mouakad
Producer(s): Marisol Gomez-Mouakad, Rocio Zambrano, Ignacio Decerega
Cast:

Michelle Nono (Angelica), Johanna Rosaly (Angeles), Willie Denton (Wilfredo), Yamil Collazo (Jose), Rene Monclova (Carlos), Kisha Tikina Burgos ( Vanesa), Modesto Lacen ( Juan) 

This forced return, plus her father’s illness, forces Angelica to re-evaluate her relationship with her mother, with her family members and with her partner in New York. All this forces her to face herself and discover that she does not know who she is. 

Facebook: angelicathemovie
Instagram: AngelicaPelicula

You can find out more about the film and other films at the Bentonville Film Festival on bentonvillefilmfestival.com/

Director Dan Habib Speaks About His Film Intelligent Lives

We sat down with the director/writer/producer of Intelligent Lives, Dan Habib.  Check out what he had to say about his film here at the Bentonville Film Festival.

Director(s): Dan Habib
Writer(s): Dan Habib, Jody Becker
Producer(s): Dan Habib
Cast:  Chris Cooper, Naieer Shaheed, Micah Fialka-Feldman and Naomie Monplaisir
Academy-Award winning actor Chris Cooper, the narrator of “Intelligent Lives,” unpacks the United States’ sordid history of intelligence testing.  Three stories are intertwined with Cooper’s tightly constructed narration about our evolving perspectives on the nature of intelligence. 
mrconnollyhasals.org

You can find out more about the film and other films at the Bentonville Film Festival on bentonvillefilmfestival.com/

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Jeremy spoke with the Producers of The Disunited States of America

Film Producers Jesse Einstein and Josh Logan of the Film The Disunited States of America spoke with us about their film.  The film documents the 2016 President election from six different perspectives of Americans spread across America.  Check out their interview below.

THE DISUNITED STATES OF AMERICA 
Film Director: Luis Prieto
Producers: Jesse Einstein, Josh Logan 
Running time: 88 min
Cast:
Daryl Rembowski, Patricia Cameron, Try Cissell, Betsey Kaufman, Bonnie Bolitho, Stephen Bates, Kevin Dodson, Lori Ann Dodson, Cici Garcia, Raymond Razo
THE DISUNITED STATES OF AMERICA is a cinema verité documentary that explores the hearts and minds of real Americans who have placed their hopes and dreams in their anticipated future president.



LUNCH LADIES 

Producer/Writer Clarissa Jacobson
Director J.M. Logan
Main Cast: Donna Pieroni (Seretta Burr), Mary Manofsky (LouAnne Burr), Daisy Kershaw (Alexis The Cheerleader), Chris Fickley (Principal Grossfetig) 
Running Time (in minutes): 19 min
Two burnt out high school Lunch Ladies do whatever it bloody takes on their quest to become Johnny Depp's Personal Chefs. 
lunchladiesmovie.com
jmlfilm.com

THE MATCHMAKER  

Director(s): Leonora Pitts
Writer(s): Sy Rosen
Main Cast: Rhea Perlman (Irene), Barbara Bain (Sarah), Robert Romanus (Sam), Bryna Weiss (Flora), Annie Korzen (Mindy) 
Running Time (in minutes): 11 min
Terrified that his mother may not find the important mental stimulation he believes will stave off Alzheimer’s Disease, Sam sets out to find her the Perfect Best Friend within her new retirement community, with hilarious and poignant results. 
jesseeinstein.com

You can find out more about the film and other films at the Bentonville Film Festival on bentonvillefilmfestival.com/

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