The Bentonville Film Festival (BFF) is a nationally recognized celebration of film and storytelling, held each June in downtown Bentonville. Co-founded by Academy Award–winning actor Geena Davis, the festival champions diversity and inclusion in media, bringing a week of screenings, premieres, panels, and events to venues around the square.
About the Festival
Launched in 2015 by Geena Davis and Trevor Drinkwater, and backed by Walmart as a founding sponsor, the Bentonville Film Festival has become one of the region’s marquee cultural events. Its mission is to amplify underrepresented voices in film, television, and media — and its programming pairs new independent films and premieres with conversations, workshops, and its BFF Creator Convergence.
What to Expect
- Film screenings & premieres across downtown venues.
- Panels, Q&As, and celebrity appearances.
- Workshops and industry programming for creators.
- A festive downtown atmosphere around the Bentonville square.
When & Good to Know
- When: June each year (dates vary — check the official site).
- Where: Downtown Bentonville, at venues around the square.
- Tickets: Passes and individual screening tickets are sold; some events are free.
For this year’s dates, lineup, and passes, see the official Bentonville Film Festival website. Pair it with the rest of a Bentonville trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded the Bentonville Film Festival?
Academy Award–winning actor Geena Davis co-founded it (with Trevor Drinkwater) in 2015, with Walmart as a founding sponsor.
When is the Bentonville Film Festival?
It’s held each June in downtown Bentonville; exact dates vary, so check the official website.
What is the festival’s focus?
Championing diversity and inclusion in film, television, and media, spotlighting underrepresented voices and storytellers.
Back to Things to Do in Bentonville.