The Arkansas Anime Festival announced their musical guest for this year's festival... Rock Band "Kazha"

The Arkansas Anime Festival announced their musical guest will be the international rock band from Japan, Kazha! This is a rock band you don't want to miss! The Anime festival will be held in Bentonville, Arkansas June 29th through July 1st.  

Kazha is a 3 piece rock band from Japan. Members of the band are lead singer and bassist Kazuha Oda, guitarist Hideki Matsushige and drummer Futa Sugano.  Kazuha Oda has worked with world wide performers including Grammy award winner Bob James.  The band's work has appeared in iTunes top 100 charts in several different countries.  The band's first album was released in 2010 "Overture" and released a second album "Evolution" in 2013 and they are working on their third.  The band has been touring nationally throughout North America and will play for the first time in Bentonville.   

You can read more about the band by going to Arkansasanimefestival.com . 

You can keep up with everything KAZHA by going to any of these links:

Kazha.net, Kazha Facebook Page, or  Kazha official Twitter.

Go to http://arkansasanimefestival.com/ for tickets and other festival information. The Arkansas Anime Festival is Arkansas' largest and longest running anime and gaming convention.

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Proud Sponsor of the Arkansas Anime Festival

The Arkansas Anime Festival Announces Special Guest Voice Actor Jeremy Inman

The Arkansas Anime Festival Announced special guest Voice Actor Jeremy Inman!  The Festival will be held in Bentonville, Arkansas June 29th through July 1st.  

Voice Actor Jeremy Inman is known for voice of Android 16 of DragonBall Z,  JJ in Yuri, on Ice, Taurus in Fairy Tail, Magellan in One Piece and Yo in Dagshi Kashi.   Jeremy is doing full time voice directing for Funimation.   Go here for more info on Jeremy Inman.     

Go to http://arkansasanimefestival.com/ for tickets and other festival information.  The Arkansas Anime Festival is Arkansas' largest and longest running anime and gaming convention.

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PROUD SPONSOR OF THE ARKANSAS ANIME FESTIVAL

Student at Bentonville High School Wins Car as part of the McLarty Daniel Attendance is Key Program.

McLarty Daniel Automotive is finishing up their 2nd year of acknowledging area high school students’ attendance achievements with the McLarty Daniel “ATTENDANCE IS THE KEY” car giveaway. There are four participating schools Bentonville, Bentonville West, Rogers and Rogers Heritage.  Today was the first of four giveaways this week.  We were at the Bentonville High School stadium for the drawing.

Principal Jack Lloyd drew names for 10 eligible students for the drawing.  Each student had a chance to turn the key until there was a lucky winner.  They made it to number 9!

Grace Hesterberg ended up with the lucky key that started the Ford Escape.  She becomes the first of four winners.  Click below for interview. 

There will be three more drawing held this week at the remaining schools: Bentonville West, Rogers and Rogers Heritage.

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About McLarty Daniel Automotive:

This passion for the Automotive business is evident in every employee at McLarty Daniel Automotive. Russ Daniel, hopes this passion translates into a team that is dedicated to serving the Northwest Arkansas area for years to come. Daniel believes in his dealerships being active and serving in the community.  It's all about the customer's experience at the McLarty Daniel stores. McLarty Daniel Automotive takes great pride in offering our customers amenities like comfortable waiting areas with snacks and beverages, Saturday service, and a lifetime powertrain program on our pre-owned vehicles.  McLarty Daniel Automotive is honored to be able to give back to the community that allows us to serve their car buying and service needs with this Attendance Is The Key Promotion.

The Arkansas CW Crew Hangs out at the Bentonville Film Festival 2018

Check out some highlights from The Arkansas CW Crew at the Bentonville Film Festival.  #BFF

You can find out more about films at the Bentonville Film Festival by going to bentonvillefilmfestival.com/

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Proud Media Sponsor of the Bentonville Film Festival

Parrot Island Waterpark of Fort Smith, AR to hold the 5th Annual Kid Ducky Derby Saturday May 19th.

Press Release:
Parrot Island Waterpark of Fort Smith, AR is partnering with STEPS Family Resource Center to bring you the 5th Annual Kid Ducky Derby and Family Festival on Saturday, May 19!  The 5th Annual Kid Ducky Derby will be held at Parrot Island on Saturday, May 19th. Kick off the day at 11:00 a.m. with the Family Fun Festival! Visit with local non-profits and food trucks, play carnival-style games, and enter into a raffle drawing to win awesome prizes!  

At 2:00 p.m. the party will move inside Parrot Island where over 500 rubber ducks will race along the Crocodile Creek Lazy River. The people with the first 20 ducks to cross the finish line will win cool prizes!  This national event raises money for STEPS Family Resource Center, which provides safe visitation sessions for children and non custodial parents, classes to help parents, families and more.  Community service is an important characteristic of the Parrot Island brand. Throughout the year, representatives of the water park, along with the park's mascot, Petey the Parrot, participate in various community events, such as attending parades and visiting schools. 

If you need a summer venue to have your fundraiser or non-profit event, Parrot Island is the perfect place. Call today to reserve your date!  Parrot Island Water park features the region’s only wave pool, four awesome twisting, turning water slides, a relaxing lazy river, an activity pool and a themed children’s aquatic play area.  The outdoor water park has over 370,000 gallons of aquatic fun and includes a variety of amenities, including party pavilions, cabana rentals, food and beverage concessions, 800 complimentary deck and lounge chairs, over 250 complimentary water tubes, expansive grass lawns for relaxing and much more, and is open Memorial Day through Labor Day.  Located at Ben Geren Park, residents and visitors can enjoy Parrot Island Waterpark along with miniature golf, go karts, playground equipment, outdoor picnic areas and pavilions, softball and soccer fields, tennis courts, a 1 ½ mile fitness and circuit walking trail, two 18-hole disk golf courses, over eight miles of paved bike trails, 11 miles of mountain bike trails, and an outstanding 27-hole county golf course. 

For more information, please visit www.parrotislandwaterpark.com .

Actress Candice Michele Barley, Writer Gianna Montelaro and Director Teddy Smith talk about their film Urban Country.

Actress Candice Michele Barley, Writer Gianna Montelaro and Director Teddy Smith talk about their film "Urban Country".  This film was entered as Competition - Feature Narrative in the Bentonville Film Festival.   "Urban Country" is about a young woman from the city moving to a horse ranch to help her dying mother.  Click below to watch interviews.

URBAN COUNTRY
Director: Teddy Smith
Writer: Gianna Montelaro
Producer: Matt Keith
Cast:Brighton Sharbino (Faith), Lou Diamond Phillips (Warden Tono), Candice Michele Barley (Anna), Saxon Sharbino (Saxon), Jason London (David), C. Thomas Howell (Jim Craft), Arthur Bryan Marroquin (Corey)

"Urban Country" is a coming-of-age family/faith-friendly drama featuring Faith, an 18-year-old girl from the city who moves to a horse ranch in the country to help her dying mother. An obvious fish-out-of- water, Faith learns to embrace the country lifestyle and ultimately chooses the importance of family, hard work and helping others to achieve her dreams.

Film Facebook: Facebook.com/UrbanCountryFilm

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

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Proud Media Sponsor of the Bentonville Film Festival

Director: Kulap Vilaysack spoke to us about her film "Origin Story" that was entered in the Bentonville Film Festival

Director: Kulap Vilaysack spoke to us about her film "Origin Story".  This film was entered as a  Competition - Feature Documentary in the Bentonville Film Festival.  "Origin Story" is about a woman's international quest to meet the biological father Kulap Vilaysack she never knew.

ORIGIN STORY
Director: Kulap Vilaysack
Writer: Kulap Vilaysack
Producers: Erica Kraus, June Diane Raphael
Cast:
Kulap Vilaysack, Bouaphet Vilaysack, Inhpeng Vilaysack, Saky Wilon

ORIGIN STORY is a feature-length, international quest - with stops in Los Angeles, Minnesota, and Laos - to meet the biological father Kulap Vilaysack never knew. On the road, unforeseen revelations strike as hilarious or heartbreaking, rarely in between.

Film Website: Originstorydoc.com

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

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Proud Media Sponsor of the Bentonville Film Festival

Jeremy sat down with Director Robin Hauser to talk about her film "Bias" that was in the Bentonville Film Festival.

Jeremy sat down with Director: Robin Hauser to talk about her film "Bias".  This Film was entered as a Competition - Feature Documentary in the Bentonville Film Festival.  "Bias" is about a test that measures unconscious biases: the Harvard-based Implicit Association Test, or IAT. After Robin takes the IAT, she is shocked by her results and embarks on an investigation into the nature of human bias. 

BIAS
Director: Robin Hauser
Writer: Jack Youngelson
Producers: Robin Hauser, Christie Herring
Cast:
Mahzarin Banaji, Anthony Greenwald, Iris Bohnet, Abby Wambach, Jerry Kang, Ron Tyler, Libby Schaaf 

Bias is a film that challenges us to confront our hidden biases and understand what we risk when we follow our gut. Through exposing her own biases, award-winning documentary filmmaker Robin Hauser  highlights the nature of implicit bias, the grip it holds on our social and professional lives, and what it will take to induce change.

Film Website: www.biasfilm.com

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

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Proud Media Sponsor of the Bentonville Film Festival

The CW Announces New Six-Night Primetime Schedule for 2018-19

The CW network released it's primetime lineup for Fall 2018. The lineup includes all your favorite CW shows, some on new nights, and three new series.  

The CW’s new Sunday night kicks off the week with a one-two punch of empowered and powerful women, with SUPERGIRL soaring over to a new night, followed by the magical all new CHARMED.

Mondays are action-packed, as ARROW shoots over to a new night followed by, DC’S LEGENDS OF TOMORROW.

The CW’s highest-rated night remains the same next season, with THE FLASH back on Tuesday, followed by the electrifying new hit BLACK LIGHTNING.

Pop culture phenomenon RIVERDALE is back Wednesday,followed by new series ALL AMERICAN, based on the real life of NFL star Spencer Paysinger

The Winchester boys are back for their 14th season of SUPERNATURAL Thursday, followed by the new series LEGACIES. Set in the world of “The Vampire Diaries” and “The Originals,” it’s the story of the next generation of supernatural beings.

Friday nights Alexis is back to stir up more trouble for the Carrington and Colby clans in DYNASTY, followed by the final season of the award-winning musical comedy CRAZY EX-GIRLFRIEND.

Award-Winning Comedy “Jane The Virgin” Returns in Midseason for its Final Season, Along With a New Season of “The 100”, Final Season of “iZombie”, New Series “In The Dark” and “Roswell, New Mexico”.

THE CW’s 2018-19 PRIMETIME SCHEDULE

SUNDAY

8:00-9:00 PM  SUPERGIRL (New Night) 

9:00-10:00 PM  CHARMED (New Series)

MONDAY 

7:00-8:00 PM  ARROW (New Night)
8:00-9:00 PM  DC’S LEGENDS OF TOMORROW 

TUESDAY

8:00-9:00 PM  THE FLASH 

9:00-10:00 PM  BLACK LIGHTNING

WEDNESDAY

8:00-9:00 PM  RIVERDALE 

9:00-10:00 PM  ALL AMERICAN (New Series)

THURSDAY

8:00-9:00 PM  SUPERNATURAL 

9:00-10:00 PM  LEGACIES (New Series)

FRIDAY

8:00-9:00 PM  DYNASTY 

9:00-10:00 PM  CRAZY EX-GIRLFRIEND

We spoke with the Directors Ben Foster and Mark Dennis about their film "Time Trap".

We spoke with the Directors Ben Foster and Mark Dennis about their film "Time Trap".  This film was entered as Competition - Feature Narrative  in the Bentonville Film Festival. "Time Trap" is a film about a group of students in pursuit of their missing professor and find a break in time.

Directors Ben Foster and Mark Dennis

TIME TRAP
Directors: Ben Foster and Mark Dennis
Writer: Mark Dennis
Producers: Ben Foster / Mark Dennis / Zach Matz / James Costa
Cast:
Briannne Howey (Jackie) Cassidy Gifford (Cara) Andrew Wilson (Hopper) Reiley McClendon (Taylor)

A group of students venture into the deep caves of remote Texas to locate a favorite archaeology professor who inexplicably has gone missing while searching for the Fountain of Youth. In the course of their pursuit, the group unwittingly rappels into a break in the space-time continuum, where time passes much slower than on the surface.

Film Facebook: Facebook.com/timetrapmovie

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

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Proud Media Sponsor of the Bentonville Film Festival

We spoke to the some of the cast and filmmakers from the film "Banana Season" at the Bentonville Film Festival

We spoke to the some of the cast and filmmakers 

from the film "Banana Season".  Eve Rydberg, James Kyson, Brennan Stacker, Sanghoon Lee and James Choi were in attendance.  This film was entered as a Competition - Feature Narrative in the Bentonville Film Festival.  "Banana Season" is story true love, friendship and taking flight.  

Eve Rydberg, James Kyson, Brennan Stacker

Sanghoon Lee and James Choi

BANANA SEASON
Directors: Sanghoon Lee
Writers: Sanghoon Lee, John Chang and David Pederson
Producer: James Choi
Cast:
James Kyson (Sun), Pancho Moler (Peter), Eve Rydberg (May), Brennan Stacker (Briana)

Banana Season tells the story of a pivotal point in time for two individuals in the endless season of their lives. A tale of true love, friendship and taking flight, Banana Season is a glimpse into the lives of ordinary souls, all at the point in their lives when they flower or fade.

Film Facebook: Facebook.com/banana.season

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

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Proud Media Sponsor of the Bentonville Film Festival

We spoke to the producers Andy Fraser and Dustin Solomon from the film "God Bless the Broken Road".

We had a chance to talk to the producers Andy Fraser and Dustin Solomon from the film "God Bless the Broken Road".   The film was a Non-competition - Showcase in the Bentonville Film Festival.  "God Bless the Broken Road" is a story a mother who loses her husband in Afghanistan and struggles to raise their young daughter.

God Bless the Broken Road
Director: Harold Cronk
Writers: Jennifer Dornbush & Harold Cronk
Producers: Andy Fraser, Dustin Solomon, Edgar Struble
Cast:
Lindsay Pulsipher (Amber), Makenzie Moss (Bree), Andrew W. Walker (Cody), Kim Delaney (Patti), Robin Givens (Karena), Gary Grubbs (Joe), Arthur Cartwright (Nelson), LaDainian Tomlinson (Pastor), Madeline Carrol (Hannah) with Jordin Sparks (Bridgette)

God Bless the Broken Road tells the story of a young mother who loses her husband in Afghanistan and struggles to raise their young daughter in his absence. The film combines elements of faith, country music, and stock car racing while paying tribute to those who serve in the United States Military.


Film Website: www.godblessthebrokenroad.com

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

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Proud Media Sponsor of the Bentonville Film Festival

We spoke to the Director, Writer and Producer Max Rissman about his film "Root for The Villain"

We spoke to the Director, Writer and Producer Max Rissman about his film "Root for The Villain".  The film was entered as Film Episodic at the Bentonville Film Festival.  Check out the interview Below. 

ROOT FOR THE VILLIAN
Director: Max Rissman
Writer: Max Rissman
Producer: Max Rissman
Cast:
Brandi Bravo (Lana), Cary Woodworth (Theo), Adel L Morales (Esteban), Bob Jaffe (Rubber), Michael Kinkade (Glue), Corey Allen (Captain Justice), Alex Woodruff (Kristin), Paul Deo Jr (Frank), Alex Carmine (Jitters)

In a superhero universe, Lana is a parole officer who works with low-level super-villains, helping them reintegrate into society after they are released from prison.

Film Facbook: Facebook.com/RootForVillain

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

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Proud Media Sponsor of the Bentonville Film Festival

We spoke to the filmmakers and cast from the film "Surviving Home" at the Bentonville Film Festival.

We spoke to the filmmakers and cast from the film "Surviving Home". Which was Directors/Writers/Producers Jillian Moul and Matthew Moul, plus, Veteran Tracey Cooper-Harris and Veteran Bobby Henline. This film was a Competitive-Documentary in the Bentonville Film Festival.  "Surviving Home" is a film about veterans who survived the war, yet over the years, must find their own way to survive and thrive back home.

SURVIVING HOME
Directors: Jillian Moul, Matthew Moul
Writers: Jillian Moul, Matthew Moul
Producers: Jillian Moul, Matthew Moul
Cast:
Claude AnShin Thomas, Tracey Cooper-Harris, Robert Henline, Richard Green, Jeff Prutz

Surviving Home is an intimate, vérité-driven documentary that follows four generations of veterans over an eight year period as they rebuild their lives after war. 

Film Website: www.survivinghomemovie.com

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

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Proud Media Sponsor of the Bentonville Film Festival

We spoke with the Director Brian Ivie, Producers Dimas Salaberrios and Mike Wildt about their BFF award winning film "Emanuel".

We spoke with the Director Brian Ivie, Producers Dimas Salaberrios and Mike Wildt about their film "Emanuel".  This film was a Competitive-Documentary in the Bentonville Film Festival.  "Emanuel" tells the painful story of a murder that shocked the nation, and an act of forgiveness that helped it heal.

*2018 Bentonville Film Festival winner.  "Emanuel" won a Jury award for Best Documentary Film at the festival.

EMANUEL
Director: Brian Ivie
Writer: Arbella Studios
Producers: Mike Wildt, Dimas Salaberrios, John Shepherd
Cast:
Nadine Collier, Anthony Thompson, Felicia Sanders

On June 17th, 2015, 21-year-old white supremacist Dylann Roof walked into a bible study and murdered nine African Americans during their closing prayer.  "Emanuel" tells the painful but hopeful story of a murder that shocked the nation, and an act of forgiveness that helped it heal.

Film Website: www.arbellastudios.com

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

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Proud Media Sponsor of the Bentonville Film Festival

We spoke with the Director Jenna Laurenzo and Actress Caitlin Mehner about their BFF Award winning film "Lez Bomb".

We spoke with the Director Jenna Laurenzo and Actress Caitlin Mehner about their film "Lez Bomb".  We also spoke with the executive producers about an award they were presenting at the festival being given to a film maker.  This film was entered as Competition - Narrative  in the Bentonville Film Festival. "Lez Bomb" is about closeted young woman brings her girlfriend home for Thanksgiving, only to have her coming out efforts thwarted by the unexpected arrival of her male roommate.

*2018 Bentonville Film Festival winner.  "Lez Bomb" won a Jury award for Best Narrative Film at the festival.

Director Jenna Laurenzo and Actress Caitlin Mehner 

Executive Producers Dani Leonard and Alex Cirillo talk about the film and the award being presenting at the Festival.

LEZ BOMB
Director: Jenna Laurenzo
Writer: Jenna Laurenzo
Producers: Bobby Farrelly, Martin Sprock, Rob Moran, Ryan R. Johnson, Jenna Laurenzo
Cast:
Jenna Laurenzo (Lauren), Caitlin Mehner (Hailey), Brandon Micheal Hall (Austin), Deirdre O'Connell (Rose), Kevin Pollak (George), Cloris Leachman (Josephine), Bruce Dern (Grandpa), Steve Guttenberg (Mike), Elaine Hendrix (Maggie), Rob Moran (Ken), Davram

Lez Bomb is a multigenerational comedy of errors featuring a young woman (Lauren) who comes home for the holidays with some life changing news. Little does Lauren know, the eccentric cast of characters have their own stirring surprises as well.

Film Website: lezbombmovie.com

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

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Proud Media Sponsor of the Bentonville Film Festival