Do The Ozarks with The Arkansas CW Crew:

Do The Ozarks with The Arkansas CW Crew: The Oklahoma Renaissance Festival at Castle of Muskogee...: This is the 20th Anniversary of the Oklahoma Renaissance Festival.  Don't miss the last weekend!  We stopped by to check out what is going on at this years festivities...

It's time for the Arkansas Anime Festival in Springdale!

On May 29th, 30th and 31st the Arkansas Anime Festival will be held in Springdale at the Holiday Inn Convention Center.  The Arkansas CW is proud sponsor of Arkansas Anime Festival!  

Special guests David Vincent, voice actor and Television producer known for Grimm-jow (Grim-jao) from Bleach...Darrel Guilbeau, he is most noted for Durarara!!, Blue Exorcist, Final Fantasy, Samurai Champloo. And Lisa Wilkerson, who is best known for  Tekken, lost in translation, Crazy Taxi 

Plenty of fun activities for everyone! Cosplay contest, artists, vendors, video and table top competition.

For more information on event schedules and how to get your tickets go to www.arkansasanimefestival.com 

We will have our Arkansas CW Crew powered by Dr Pepper through out the weekend at our booth.  If you get a chance stop by and grab a free picture from our new photo booth with the crew or with your friends.  #ARCW-AF2 

The Arkansas CW is the home of well received shows such as Flash, The Hundred, Supernatural, Arrow, Reign, Originals, Jane the V, The Messengers and Vampire Diaries. 

Award Winners Announced for Bentonville Film Festival

The films and filmmakers taking home the top prizes at  the inaugural Bentonville Film Festival (BFF), celebrating women and diversity, were revealed this evening at a gala awards ceremony that drew Courteney Cox, Nick Cannon, Bruce Dern, Rosie O’Donnell, Melissa Joan Hart, Catherine Hardwicke, Joey Lauren Adams, Brian Yang, Alysia Reiner, Khandi Alexander, Sara Evans, and of course, Geena Davis, among many others. The event was hosted by Nick Cannon and Soledad O’Brien.

2015 Bentonville Film Festival Award Winners:

Jury Award

Winner:      Janet Grillo “Jack of The Red Hearts”

Best Documentary

Winner:    Ricki Stern, Annie Sundberg  “In My Father's House”

Best Family Feature

Winner:        Morgan Matthews  “A Brilliant Young Mind”

Highest Diversity

Winner:       Geeta V. Patel and Ravi V. Patel   “Meet the Patels”

Best Ensemble

Winner:               Adriana Trigiani   “Big Stone Gap”

Best Protagonist

Winner:                      Stephanie Linus in “Dry”

Audience Award

Winner:                  “Thao’s Library” (Documentary)

Dernsie Award

Winner:                  Ani Simon-Kelly (“The Short History of the Long Road”)

BFF Spirit Award

Winner:                  Lizzie Valasquez (“A Brave Heart: The Lizzie Velasquez Story”)

*BFF is the only film festival in the world to offer guaranteed distribution to winning films. As such, Jury Award winner “Jack of the Red Hearts”;  Best Documentary winner “In My Father’s House”; and Best Family Feature “A Brilliant Young Mind” will receive distribution offers from AMC Theaters (theatrical release), Vubiquity (VOD), Vudu (digital) and Walmart (DVD,  in store).

Gil Robertson, President of the African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) served as BFF’s Jury President.

For more information please visit www.bentonvillefilmfestival.com

Love Finds You in Charm Interview during Bentonville Film Festival

The Arkansas CW Crew member Drew speaks about the film "Loves Finds You in Charm" with Director Terry Cunningham, Producers George Shamieh and Chevonne O'Shaughness and the author of the book Annalisa Daughty.

Love Finds You in Charm is Mission Pictures newest film based on a popular book series, Love Finds you in Charm.   The film was screened May 8th at the Bentonville Film Festival.

A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN reunion with members of 1940's All American Girls

A historic reunion took place at Bentonville Film Festival (BFF), when Gina Casey and Alice Fracasso, join Geena Davis and Rosie O’Donnell on the baseball diamond at Arvest Park, home of the minor league baseball team, the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, on Thursday, May 7.

Photo provided by Bentonville Film Festival

Sisters Gina Casey (85) and Alice Fracasso (90) are associate members of the All American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) – the women’s professional baseball league (1943-1954) that inspired the beloved 1992 film “A League of Their Own,” starring Geena Davis, Rosie O’Donnell, Tom Hanks, Lori Petty and Madonna, and directed by Penny Marshall.

Photo provided by Bentonville Film Festival

40/29 News Sports Director Mitch Roberts and actor Judge Reinhold did play by play during the game with help with between innings from the field with our very own Arkansas CW Crew member Shelby Osborne and Drew Thompson.  

The Manager from the Red Team, seen later portraying Doris Murphy in tonight’s film, Emmy-Award Winner, Rosie O'Donnell.

And the manager for the Blue Team, seen later portraying the “Queen of Diamonds,” Dottie Hinson, Academy-Award Winner and BFF co-founder, Geena Davis. 

National anthem was performed by award winning country recording artist Sara Evans.

Screening of A League of Their Own took place after the game.

Below Photo Gallery taken by The Arkansas CW.

Four day art project displayed in Bentonville Square celebrating women and diversity in film.

Bentonville Film Festival street artists Fawn and Mike from Art Mobb completed their four day artwork celebrating women and diversity in film as it is put on display in the Bentonville Square. Check out a time-lapse below of their art work going on display.

Interview below during day #3 of their project.

Arkansas CW Crew member Kris speaks with Bentonville Film Festival street artist while they are creating their four day piece of art for the festival.  Check out what Fawn and Mike from Art Mobb had to say about their work.  Their artwork for the festival will be unveiled Friday afternoon in downtown Bentonville.

Director Ami Canaan Mann and actor Ben Barnes talk about their film "Jackie and Ryan"

The Arkansas CW Crew member Drew hangs out with the Director Ami Canaan Mann and actor Ben Barnes who talk about their film "Jackie and Ryan" that was screened at the Bentonville Film Festival on Thursday.  

Kris chats with Alysia Reiner about women and diversity

The Arkansas CW Crew member Kris chats with Alysia Reiner about women and diversity plus her two panels at the Bentonville Film Festival.

Bentonville Film Festival street artist to unveil artwork during festival!

Arkansas CW Crew member Kris speaks with Bentonville Film Festival street artist while they are creating their four day piece of art for the festival.  Check out what Fawn and Mike from Art Mobb had to say about their work.  Their artwork for the festival will be unveiled Friday afternoon in downtown Bentonville.

Soledad O'Brian talks about her two films at that Bentonville Film Festival

Arkansas CW Crew member Shelby spoke with Soledad O'Brian an award winning journalist at the Bentonville Film Festival. The Bentonville Film Festival was screening two of her films "The War Comes Home" and "Babies Behind Bars". Check out the interview below. She will host the awards ceremony for the Bentonville Film Festival Friday at 7:00 pm with Nick Cannon.

Remembering the Artist interview with Robert De Niro, Perri Peltz (Director) and Megan Fox Kelly

The Arkansas CW Crew member Drew sat down with Robert De Niro and the Director Perri Peltz and the curator of the artwork Megan Fox Kelly and spoke about documentary about his father's life work. Click below to watch interview.  The film's viewing and  special event was held today at 3pm at Crystal Bridges.

Shelby chats with the Director and Producers of "This Is Not A Club"

The Arkansas CW Crew member caught up with the Director Ari Levinson plus the Producers Sami Kriegstein and Erica Dasher from the film "This Is Not A Club"  at Bentonville Film Festival in the 21c Lobby.  The screening for this film was at the Rogers Little Theater to at 3 pm.  Check out what Shelby found out about their film below... 

The Arkansas CW Crew at BFF!

The Arkansas CW Crew hangs out at the Bentonville Film Festival's opening ceremonies last night. Check it out!

Interview with Cast and Crew from Gallows Road at Bentonville Film Festival.

Our own Drew Thompson had a chance to set down with the makers and the stars of one of the film entries "Gallows Road".   Director and Actor Bill McAdams, Producer and Actress MJ Bentley and Actor Ernie Hudson.  You can catch their Film tonight at the Story Theater at Grace Point Church located in Bentonville at 5:30 today.  You can watch the full interview by clicking on the link below.

Bentonville Film Festival Underway!

Bentonville Film Festival started off this morning with a press conference located at 21c in Bentonville, AR.   Among those in attendance was Geena Davis, Trevor Drinkwater Co-Founder of BFF & CEO of Arc Entertainment.  

Bentonville Film Festival announces Music Lounge Schedule!

Bentonville Film Festival (#BFF), taking place May 5 – 9, will host a nightly BFF Music Lounge at the Ice House in Bentonville, featuring some of the hottest, nationally recognized music acts performing today and sponsored by Coca-Cola, Heineken, Perrier, Ciroc and Robert Mondavi Private Selection.

The performances and schedules were announced today (below) and tickets are now on sale on the festival website www.bentonvillefilmfestival.com. An official BFF event, the BFF Music Lounge at the Ice House will be the hottest ticket in town after the sun goes down as festival guests and participants close out the days’ activities with nights of music and dancing.

Tuesday, May 5

Jon Foreman 

Jon Foreman is a critically acclaimed solo artist and lead singer, main songwriter and guitarist of the GRAMMY Award-winning rock band Switchfoot. Over the years, Foreman has become known for his honest lyrics, incendiary live performances, and his involvement in various humanitarian endeavors.  

Samantha Crain

Samantha Crain is an American songwriter, musician, producer, and singer from Shawnee, Oklahoma, signed with Ramseur Records and Full Time Hobby Records.

Wednesday, May 6

Meg & Liz

Megan and Liz are an American country/pop girl duo composed of fraternal twin sisters, Megan and Liz Mace, from Edwardsburg, Michigan. They are both songwriters, and Megan is their guitarist

Barrett Baber and Ashley McBryde

An Arkansas native, Barrett Baber grew up singing in church at a young age in East Arkansas, near some of the most soulful and fertile grounds for musicians in the country. His inspiration for singing and creating music happened from frequent visits to Memphis TN, only a few miles from his hometown in Marion, Arkansas. Released in June 2011, Ashley’s latest album, ‘Elsebound’, was recorded in Nashville at Hot Haus Studio with producer Mike Holmes.

Thursday, May 7

Grovement

Groovement is a 6-piece funk-rock band that embodies the soul of Northwest Arkansas – fun, unpredictable, and full of life.

Alycia Nichole & Taylor Lane (DJ)

Optimism. A word infused with hope, positivity, and good will. These qualities are embodied by up-and-coming vocal artist Alycia Nichole. This young woman has exotic beauty, a soulful voice, and an ocean of creative talent.

Friday, May 8

Smokey and the Mirror

Smokey and the Mirror is headed up by husband and wife duo Bryan and Bernice Hembree. The Hembrees are also members of the Americana band Three Penny Acre, and have branched out with Smokey and the Mirror to express their Rock and Pop influences in a primarily acoustic ensemble. Echoes of Buddy Holly, The Indigo Girls and Bruce Hornsby are all evident in an upbeat and soulful presentation

Brynn Elliott

As an emerging artist to watch, she is in demand. Most recently, Brynn has toured with Brandi Carlile, Alanis Morissette, Wilson Phillips and Tyler Ward. Radio is quickly embracing her first EP, “Notions of Love,” and it’s currently playing on over 40 college radio stations. She is about to embark on two major summer 2015 tours with OAR and Allen Stone.

May 9

Breaking Silence

Breaking Silence plays a driving acoustic blend of original and popular music that spans generations. Fresh young talents singing positive lyrics with a polish well beyond their years. The individual members have developed their skills on stages in and around the area for the last 10 years

Funk Factory

THE NEWEST & HOTTEST PARTY BAND IN THE MID-SOUTH! This band is comprised of some of the most talented and sought after musicians & singers in the region...some people call it the DreamTeam! They cover the top hits of Motown, Pop, Rock & Roll, Jazz, and Country. They are the ULTIMATE party force!

The nightly BFF Lounge at the Ice House concert series is sponsored by Heineken, Constellation Brands, Diageo and Ciroc, Tusk & Trotter, Perrier, Coca-Cola and Robert Mondavi Private Selection.

The complete schedule of Festival events, including dates, times, venue locations and ticket information can be found on the BFF website www.bentonvillefilmfestival.com

BENTONVILLE FILM FESTIVAL UNVEILS PANEL SERIES LINEUP AND SPECIAL EVENTS

Bentonville Film Festival (BFF), which debuts May 5-9, unveiled a panel series that covers over a dozen topics addressing women, diversity and their intersections within the entertainment industry, featuring many well-known and highly regarded participants from various sectors of the industry. The Festival also revealed details of several special events including a softball game headlined by “A League of Their Own” stars Geena Davis and Rosie O’Donnell, as well as a BFF concert series.

Here are some panel discussions scheduled to run during the festival:

In Control of Her Own Destiny (Women who created their own successful film production companies)

Participants include  Rosie O’Donnell, Melissa Joan Hart, Alysia Reiner, Kristin Hahn, Sarah Morgan Thomas

Behind the Lens (Directors’ perspective on diversity in cinema)

Participants include Catherine Hardwicke, Nisha Ganatra, George Tillman Jr., Perri Peltz, Anna Martemucci, Josh Welsh (Film Independent)

Catherine Hardwicke Directors’ Workshop “Twilight” Director Catherine Hardwicke presents a Director’s Process Workshop

Redefining Family Entertainment (Best practices for creating content parents can approve and support)

Participants include Geena Davis, Wanda Young (Walmart), Yalda Uhls (Common Sense Media), Lana Castleman (KidScreen), Laura Caraccioli (Electus), Patty Kerr (AFE), Madeline Di Nonno (Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media), Sarah Noonan (Nickelodeon)

Decoding Stereotypes in Media – Sponsored by Google

Participants include Julie Ann Crommett (Google), Sowmya Subramanian (YouTube), YouTube Science expert Crystal Dilworth, and producers Diane Ikemiyashiro, ("Miles from Tomorrowland”) and Susan Cartsonis (“What Women Want”)

Art of the Deal (Deals breaking the boundaries for women and minority filmmakers)

Participants include Jason Kelly (Bloomberg Media), Elizabeth Frank (AMC), Jon Patricof (Tribeca Enterprises), Peter Trinh (ICM), Geralyn Dreyfous (Impact Partners), Emily Best (Seed&Spark) and Darrell Miller (Fox Rothchild)

Real vs Reel Diversity (Entertainment and business leaders affecting change on-screen and behind-the-scenes)

Participants include Michelle Ebanks (Essence), Nikkole Denson-Randolph (AMC), Gil Robertson (AAFCA), Brian Yang, Sharonda L. Britton (Walmart), Khandi Alexander, Maria Morales (PEOPLE en Espanol)

Power of the Pen (Improving the representation of women and diversity through great characters)

Participants include Darla K. Anderson, Effie Brown, Ami Canaan Mann, Susan Cartsonis

Power of the Brand for Social Change (The role of corporations in addressing gender equality and diversity)

Participants include Stuart Kronauge (Coca-Cola), Raquel Harris (Sams), Mindy McAlindon (Southern Acres Marketing), Kristine Decker (P&G), Michelle Ferguson (Luna), Elise Mitchell (Mitchell Communications), Danielle Carrig, (Lifetime)

Digital Storytelling: Breaking boundaries for Women & Diversity (Best practices to create more female and storytelling leveraging multiple digital platforms)

Participants include Julian Franco (Vudu), Melanie Capacia Johnson (Tiny Horse), Jonathan Shank (Red Light), Tom Hoehn (Walmart), Dyllan McGee (Makers), Kelly Edwards, (HBO), Amirose Eisenbach, (AMC)

Women in Advertising

Participants include Jillian Gibbs (APR), Kat Gordon, Andy Murray (Walmart), Jiah Choi (Coca-Cola), Dorothy Thompson (Streetlights)

Gender Equality: Why Men Matter

Participants include Wanda Young, (Walmart), Fernando Szew, (MarVista Entertainment), Dean General, (Kraft), JS Kang, (Sterling Sports Management), Judge Reinhold

Women’s Economic Empowerment

Participants include Geena Davis, Kathleen McLaughlin (Walmart), Helene Gayle (CARE), Pamela Prince-Easton (WBENC), Abigail Wozniak (The White House)

Seed & Spark Crowdfunding  Workshop

     Emily Best (CEO of indie-film crowdfunding and distribution platform Seed&Spark) and Greg Cohen

Speical events:

The BFF opening ceremony will take place on Tuesday, May 5^th at the world acclaimed Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, which was founded by Alice Walton, designed by Moshe Safdie, and features the largest collection of American Art in the world. Geena Davis will open the star-studded gala event with a keynote address.

BFF will hold a softball game on Thursday, May 7 at Arvest Park, home of the minor league baseball team, the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. Country music star Sara Evans will be on hand to sing the national anthem and open the game, which will have two teams managed by Geena Davis and Rosie O’Donnell, co-stars of the iconic women’s baseball film “A League of Their Own.” Two-time Olympic medalist and women’s softball icon Jennie Finch will be among the players suiting up for this game. There will be an evening screening of the film at the stadium following the game.

My Country Nation will sponsor a BFF concert that will include a performance from American country singer-songwriter Frankie Ballard, country/pop duo Megan&Liz  (Megan and Liza Mace) as well as a special “Sound of Music” concert event featuring the Von Trapp family with the Bentonville Choir and Bentonville Orchestra.

The concert will be held at the Arend Arts Center. There will also be a nightly concert series held at the Ice House of Bentonville with performances to be announced this week.

In addition to the opening ceremony, Crystal Bridges Museum will host two very special BFF events. On Thursday, May 7^th the Museum will host BFF’s discussion with Robert De Niro following a screening of ”Remembering the Artist” - the acclaimed documentary about De Niro’s father, Robert De Niro Sr., directed by Perri Peltz.

The following day (May 8^th), the Museum will host “Geena and Friends,” which will see Geena Davis  and a select group of brilliantly talented women in a table read where they re-imagine some great dialogue from all-male movie scenes. A light-hearted way to explore how funny, unique and perhaps refreshing it can be to expand our vision of who can be cast in roles originally written for men. Rosie O’Donnell, Dana Owens (Queen Latifah), Khandi Alexander and Alysia Reiner will be among participants in this lively event.

BFF’s closing night awards show, presented by Kraft Foods Group, will be co-hosted by Nick Cannon (host of NBC's “America's Got Talent”) and award winning journalist, documentarian, news anchor, and producer Soledad O’Brien, on Friday, May 8^th at the Old High. Presenters will include Courteney Cox and Dana Owens (Queen Latifah).

The complete BFF schedule of events, including dates, times and venue locations can be found on the BFF website www.bentonvillefilmfestival.com

Emilio Estevez, Judge Reinhold and Darla K. Anderson Headline Jury Lineup for the Film Competition at the Bentonville Film Festival!

Bentonville Film Festival announced today the jury members who will preside over the competition categories at the inaugural edition of the Festival.  

Here is the list of jury members:

Gil Robertson, President of the African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) will serve as BFF’s Jury President.

Cody Allison – Senior Buyer, Movies, Walmart

Darla K. Anderson – Oscar® nominated producer (“Toy Story 3,” “Monsters, Inc.,” “Cars”)

Megan Bolinder – Coordinator, Academic Literacy, Northwest Arkansas Community College

Merideth Boswell – Two-time Oscar® nominated Production Designer (“How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” “Apollo 13,” “Natural Born Killers”)

Sharonda L. Britton – Director, Media and Digital Marketing, Walmart

Axel Caballero – Executive Director, National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP)

Danielle Carrig – Senior Vice President, Publicity & Public Affiars, Lifetime Network

Susan Cartsonis-Producer ("What Women Want")

Mike Champlin-Producer, DeBergerac Producitons, Inc.

Sarah Clark – President, Mitchell Communications

Nikkole Denson-Randolph – Vice President, Specialty & Alternative Content, AMC Theatres/Entertainment

Geralyn Dreyfous – Producer (“The Square,” “The Invisible War”)

Emilio Estevez – Actor, writer, producer (“The Breakfast Club,” “Bobby,” “The Way”)

Julian Franco – Director, Product Development, VUDU

Jaime Frye – Senior Account Executive, Procter & Gamble Cosmetics, Walmart Customer Team

Louis Greth – Senior Director, Movies, Walmart

Bailey Gibson – Buyer, Movies, Walmart

Edie Hand – CEO, Hand N’ Hand Advertising, Inc, Author, entrepreneur , actress (“When I Find the Ocean,” “Rx for Healthy Lifestyles”)

Racquel Harris – Senior Vice President, Marketing, Sam’s Club

Tom Hoehn – Senior Director, Digital and Social Marketing, Walmart

Kevin Iwashina – Founder and President, Preferred Content

Patty Kerr –  Alliance for Family Entertainment

Stuart Kronauge – Senior Vice President, Customer Marketing, Coca-Cola

Bonni Lee – Senior Vice President, Village Roadshow Pictures Entertainment Inc.

Dyllan McGee – Primetime Emmy®-winning producer (“Teddy: In His Own Words,” “This Emotional Life”)

Darrell Miller – Entertainment attorney, Fox Rothschild LLP

Andy Murray – Senior Vice President, Creative Marketing, Walmart

Chris Nagelson – Vice President, Entertainment Merchandising, Walmart

Soledad O'Brien – Award winning journalist, documentarian, news anchor, and producer

Laura Phillips – Senior Vice President, Omni-Channel Assortments, Walmart

Claudia Puig – Film Critic, USA Today

Amy Reinhold – Director, writer (“Be Still”)

Judge Reinhold – Primetime Emmy® nominated actor (“Beverly Hills Cop,”  “The Santa Clause”).

Gil Robertson – Co-Founder and President, African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA)

Fernando Szew – CEO and Founding Partner, MarVista Entertainment

Michelle Thomas – Senior Director, Diversity & Inclusion, Mars Inc.

Aaron Tucker – Senior Manager, Media and Digital Marketing, Walmart

Josh Welsh – President, Film Independent

Amanda Whittaker – Senior Shopper Marketing Manager, Coca-Cola

Brian Yang – Actor, producer (“The Man With the Iron Fists,” “Saving Face,” “Hawaii Five-O”)

*The decisions made by jury members carry significant weight as BFF winning films are offered guaranteed theatrical, television, Video on Demand, digital and retail home entertainment distribution through AMC Theatres, Lifetime, Vubiquity, VUDU and Walmart, respectively. BFF is the only film festival in the world to offer guaranteed distribution across all platforms to winning films.

If you missed the series premiere of The Messengers you can catch up by going to the link below and click on the "Watch Now" button. http://www.4029tv.com/entertainment/thearkansascw 

BE OUR BFF!!! COMING SOON BENTONVILLE FILM FESTIVAL!

The Arkansas CW and 40/29 are proud media sponsors of this year's Bentonville Film Festival!  The Bentonville Film Festival starts May 5 and runs through May 9th.   For more information on opening ceremonies, screenings, panels and special events go to bentonvillefilmfestival.com

Individual Tickets for the first annual Bentonville Film Festival (BFF) are available through the festival’s website at http://bentonvillefilmfestival.com/shop/.

Individual Bentonville Film Festival tickets start at $8. 

For more information on BFF please visit www.bentonvillefilmfestival.com