The 10th Annual Bentonville Film Festival 2024 is on the horizon. It’s a festival founded by American actress and activist Geena Davis (Thelma and Louise, A League of Their Own), which aims to showcase female, nonbinary, and LGBTQ voices in entertainment. The festival, which will take place in Arkansas from June 10th – June 16th, has unveiled its lineup, and here are picks for ten must-see films on the roster!
Out of Mind
This Disney+ film, which premiered at Sundance to standing ovations, has been selected as the opening film of the festival. Based on the acclaimed novel by Sharon M. Draper, it stars Phoebe Rae-Taylor in her acting debut as Melody Brooks, a sixth-grader suffering from cerebral palsy. It’s a coming-of-age film with a profound message about abling disabled people through technology and allyship, and it is sure to be one of the biggest hits of the festival.
Nuked
This Tribeca premiere from director Deena Kasper has one of the most unique premises of the festival. Centering on a group of friends at a cannabis-infused party, the satire takes a sharp turn when it is revealed that a bomb is heading right for them. The ensemble boasts the likes of Anna Camp (True Blood, Pitch Perfect), Justin Bartha (National Treasure), and Lucy Punch (Bad Teacher) and promises a hilariously explosive romp for all.
Geena & Friends
One of the most audacious projects at the festival, Geena Davis, Cassandra Freeman, Tika Sumpster, and Michaela Watkins will reimagine all-male movie scenes through an all-female lens, offering a fresh perspective on diversity and how casting affects our perceptions of film. This experiment is sure to be one of the most unique screenings at the festival – a true passion project from the festival’s founder.
Blind AF
An entry in the Spotlight Screenings section of the festival, this project’s World Premiere will take place at the festival. It marks the directorial debut of photographer Gina LeVay. “Blind AF” centers around Shawn Cheshire, a blind female Paralympic champion, who became the first blind person to ride a non-tandem bike across America. Inspirational sports documentaries always go down well at festivals, and this one promises to be no different.
Ben and Suzanne, A Reunion in 4 Parts
This is the directorial debut of Sri Lankan American filmmaker Shaun Seneviratne. It is about a romantic reunion turned unconventional holiday, showcasing the breathtaking scenery Sri Lanka has to offer while serving as a vehicle for both romance and off-beat comedy. It debuted at the SXSW festival to a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, with Naina Srivastava of The Austin Chronicle commenting that it is a “funny yet heartfelt look into a complicated relationship.”
Dandelion
Nicole Reigel reshapes a timeless story of love and dreams of stardom with “Dandelion,” which follows a struggling Cincinnati singer-songwriter who strikes up an unlikely romance with guitarist Casey. IFC films will distribute the project, which stars KiKi Layne (If Beale Street Could Talk) and Thomas Doherty. It is also continuing its festival run following a successful premiere at SXSW, with Robert Daniels describing the film as a “visually beautiful, delicately composed film.”
White Bird
The follow-up to 2017’s “Wonder,” based on the graphic novel by R.J. Palacio, has been in and out of release schedules for the past two years. However, some fans will finally be able to see this much-anticipated film from director Marc Forster (A Man Called Otto, The Kite Runner). In addition to its young stars, acclaimed actresses Gillian Anderson and Helen Mirren also star in a film exploring a romance against the backdrop of Nazi-occupied France.
Daughters
One of the most acclaimed documentaries in Sundance’s illustrious lineup finds its way to Bentonville. The project follows the lives of four young girls preparing for a special Daddy-Daughter Dance with their incarcerated fathers. It won the Audience Award in the documentary competition at Sundance, and with Netflix as its backer, perhaps it will find its way into contention for the Oscars next year.
The Queen of My Dreams
The Alumni showcase section features a deeply personal debut from Pakistani Canadian filmmaker Fawzia Mirza. It began its festival fun last year with a TIFF premiere and follows a young Pakistani woman on a Bollywood-inspired journey through memories of her coming-of-age in rural Canada.
The Debutants
A documentary exploring the powerful style of a group of Black debutants in Ohio. It serves as a complex deconstruction of institutional racism, elitism, and communal bonds from director Contessa Gayles. Providing a fresh perspective on bygone concepts, it is exactly the kind of film that champions marginalized voices that Bentonville prides itself on.
