A New American Town - Bentonville, Arkansas

A Decade of Diversity with Bentonville Film Festival

• Visit Bentonville • Season 7 • Episode 16

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In this special episode, Wendy Guerrero, Director of Bentonville Film Festival, reflects on the 10th Anniversary of the Festival, happening June 10 - 16. We uncover how it has become a beacon for amplifying marginalized voices in the film industry. You’ll hear about the line-up, history of BFF, what to expect, and all the ways you can engage in inclusive programs and celebrate women and underrepresented artists as part of this milestone year.

Learn more at bentonvillefilm.org and get your festival passes now. Whether you're planning to immerse yourself in the festival buzz on the ground or connect digitally, we've got insights on how to tailor your experience with the perfect pass.

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Beth Bobbitt:

Welcome to A New American Town, a podcast proudly presented by Visit Bentonville. I'm your host, Beth Bobbitt, broadcasting from Haxton Road Studios near the beautiful downtown Bentonville Square. Join us as we share stories, insights and happenings from our city, connecting you with the locals who make this town worth visiting. And this is an especially meaningful episode we're talking to Wendy Guerrero with Bentonville Film Festival in celebration of the 10th anniversary. Welcome to the podcast, Wendy!

Wendy Guerrero:

Well, thank you so much. I'm so happy to be here.

Beth Bobbitt:

So, a little bit about the festival. It was founded by Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media and Bentonville Festival Foundation. So the the festival is all about lifting up women and diverse artists, spotlighting, challenging and moving works. The festival fosters inclusivity in media and entertainment through research, education and support, and this year it will take place June 10th through June 16th all over Bentonville Venues, like the Momentary, Skylight and more. So, Wendy, we're 10 years in now. This festival has had such a positive impact. Can you share a little bit about the history and the inspiration behind the festival?

Wendy Guerrero:

Oh, I'm thrilled. Thrilled to dive into the backstory of the festival with you all, because it's truly an inspirational story, you know, born out of our leader, Geena Davis. She has an institute called the Geena Davis Institute on Gender and Media, where she has been studying gender depictions of women and girls in media for the last 20 years. In fact, they're celebrating their 20th anniversary and we're celebrating our 10th anniversary this year.

Wendy Guerrero:

So it's something that she's kind of studied. And if you know anything about Geena that she does take things very far, far enough that when she was not really getting hired for acting gigs she took up archery and she studied that and just got obsessed with it, if you will, and became one of our Olympic alternates for archery. So she's a very driven woman and really a huge, a huge part and obviously of the festival and all the work that she's been doing.

Wendy Guerrero:

But you know, festivals have long been a source of anticipation for me, even before the Bentonville Film Festival. I've been going to festivals kind of my whole life as an independent producer and trying to get my films and stories seen and heard at different festivals over the over the years. So they hold such an immense promise for discovery and that's what I'm hoping that the Bentonville audiences and our audiences from around the world can really look forward to this year is that there's going to be so many incredible voices emerging and also, you know, filmmakers that are already beloved and well known from people in the cinematic world. So the festival was really born out of a desire to create a platform, you know, championing and celebrating women and also diverse voices. So 10 years ago, we noticed a gap in the festival scene, where women's voices and other underrepresented voices were not featured as prominently in other festivals, and so we set out to create an event that not only showcases female talent but also, you know, fosters a sense of empowerment and community among the attendees.

Beth Bobbitt:

Yeah, it's amazing and you've touched on what we can expect. You've revealed the lineup. It looks spectacular. Tell us a little bit about the program offerings and what makes this anniversary year so special, what we can look forward to.

Wendy Guerrero:

This year, you know, is a special anniversary edition. Like you said, it really is a milestone year for us and we've curated an even more exciting and diverse program lineup. We can't reveal everything yet because there are some surprises coming down the line. We're going to be having some amazing keynote speakers and workshops and panels but, as I said, you know, the film lineup and the competition film lineup is really the core of what the festival is about and what. I'm hoping that some of your listeners will be excited to come and see some of these stories that are taking place at the festival.

Wendy Guerrero:

Our opening night film is something that I'm really excited about. We usually like to bring a very buzzy festival title to our opening night film. This year it is a film called Out of my Mind. That's happening on Tuesday, June 11th, over at the Momentary. So that is a very special film that's based on a novel by Sharon Draper. So we'll have some of the cast and the writer and we'll have a big red carpet for that, and that's what I'm really excited about. It's really based on a novel, like I said, by Sharon Draper and it focuses on a girl navigating sixth grade as a nonverbal wheelchair user who is aided by technology and her devoted allies to let her voice be heard. There will be a dynamic talkback with the director, author, and cast.

Beth Bobbitt:

Wow, Amazing. So much to look forward to. Tell us a little bit about the festival passes. What are the options? There's three different choices, right?

Wendy Guerrero:

There are yeah, there are. We try to make it simple and we try to make it interesting for people on where they want to engage. I guess our first pass if you're not in the Bentonville area or you can't physically come to the festival our first pass is just our digital pass. So it'll be available for two weeks on our site, from June 11th through June 23rd, and you'll be able to screen a lot of the festival competition films, including the documentaries, episodics, shorts, panels, and spotlight films.

Wendy Guerrero:

Our second pass is if you can be here with us during festival week. It is called our all festival pass and that includes a tax deductible donation. It also gives you special reserve seatings. It gives you admission to the Bentonville the BFF headquarters, which is where kind of all of our filmmakers gather, and we'll have some private events there for pass holders only. And it also gives you that on-demand access.

Wendy Guerrero:

So if you can't see everything in person and in a movie theater, you can still go online and catch, like, some of the content that you hadn't seen, that you weren't able to see in person. And then we have our biggest pass, which is the foundation pass. That also supports the work we do throughout the year under the Bentonville Foundation work. So with that pass you'll get access to the more exclusive events like the opening cocktail reception, the opening film party, some of the gala awards. You'll also have a meet and greet with Geena in that pass and then that will give you some merch access to headquarters. So a lot of really fun things that I can't list everything but you can go on the web and check out all the access that that pass gives you.

Beth Bobbitt:

Perfect. I love that you're inclusive for people that can't be there in person, but if you've never been a part of the festival before, there's just such energy and it's so meaningful to meet people and have those conversations in person. So thank you for sharing. Other than purchasing festival passes, what are ways that people can get engaged? Are there volunteer opportunities or community programs this year?

Wendy Guerrero:

Absolutely, there is engagement beyond festival passes. A lot of ways that you can get involved are on our website, like you can sign up as a volunteer. Our volunteers really play a vital role in making the success of the festival happen, you know. Additionally, we have some you know student mentorship, internship programs, like with HBC students that are coming from around the country. Some of those programs you had to have a little bit of a lead in on, but you can still check out our website and see if there's anything that you can sign up for.

Wendy Guerrero:

We're also doing a ton of free events this year. So we're having some pitch best event that's happening with a partner called series fest. That is, if you're interested in, you know, learning about how filmmakers pitch their projects and what are the next steps to get projects made. I think that's going to be a really fun and new special event. And then you know we have all of the free stuff over at the Festival Village, so it's really fun to go down there and watch some films. You know we'll have Barbie this year, we'll have Beetlejuice, we'll have the finishing of the Hunger Games series, so there'll be a lot of really fun engagement at our Festival Village. We're introducing a new experience called the Toy Corner, so there'll be a ton of activations and giveaways and experiences for families to take advantage of down there. So it's just going to be a really incredible weekend.

Beth Bobbitt:

I'm so excited to see this all come to life.

Wendy Guerrero:

You know we're going to end with fireworks on Saturday night --a free fireworks show over at the Momentary. So there's lots of ways that people can get involved beyond you know, buying a pass and going to some of the content there still will be. You know a lot of free content that we show out at the Geena Davis Outdoor Theater.

Beth Bobbitt:

Yeah, and I love how family friendly it is. There's so many options this year, so what YOU most looking forward to? Is there a screening or a conversation that you're most excited about?

Wendy Guerrero:

I am really thrilled that we've been able to come together full circle with the NBC Universal Grant See it, Be it, Make it. This is the third grant recipient that we'll be featuring at the festival this year in a film called Nuked, and this film was all made in, it was shot and everything in Bentonville, so it really is going to be an exciting experience because I know a lot of the cast and crew are going to be attending. It's part of our grant-making process that the festival is working with our studios to give money away to filmmakers, because we feel like that's the best way that you can make an impact and get their stories told. So I would say definitely. I'm excited for that.

Wendy Guerrero:

And then we're bringing a lot of our alumni filmmakers back, so for our milestone programming. Like a lot of these filmmakers may have come at the beginning of the festival in 2015, when we started, and they've made films you made films coming into 2024. So just looking at that journey and being able to celebrate them and host them back in Bentonville and have our audiences come and check out the films that they're still making over these last 10 years and are still continuing to put out, those are really special moments for me, having been the festival director for the last 10 years. It's nice to see their journeys continue and to celebrate with them at the festival.

Beth Bobbitt:

I love that you're taking time to reflect and celebrate. I'm so excited. I'm curious if you have advice for someone that is just stumbling upon the festival and has never experienced it. What would you tell a newcomer?

Wendy Guerrero:

I would say, to come with an open heart and an open mind, I think. Take advantage of the diverse range of events and films offered throughout the festival and don't be intimidated by all of the programming, because there is a lot to kind of look at. But if you have a day to experience with us, you know, I would say, at least watch a film. You know, stay for the talkbacks, experiencing that, that with the filmmaker is always rewarding, um, you know, and, and I would just say, take the opportunity to be inspired by a lot of the the programming that we'll have, and, um, I know that you will be changed or stirred or inspired to. You know, continue being curious about these stories that we're bringing to the region.

Beth Bobbitt:

Yes, wise words, incredibly moving content. So switching gears. We usually do a wrap-up question, not festival-related, if you're game. I'm curious about what your dream day in Bentonville looks like. So set the scene. Where are you going? What are you doing if you could just explore Bentonville all day?

Wendy Guerrero:

You know, every time I come to Bentonville, um, I have a dream day and I am inspired by waking up at the 21c. Yeah, taking that walk, getting my coffee at Cnyx, you know, going for a walk or run down to the Crystal Bridges Museum trail and even beyond, now that the expansion is happening and all of that is open. I always marvel at the birds and the deer that I see, just two minutes, if you will, and take in the nature and the beauty that is so accessible to Bentonville and just right within the walking distance or biking. I love going on that trail and just taking in all of the public art. Going to the crystal charging station is always a highlight of mine.

Wendy Guerrero:

Yeah taking pictures, you know, and I sending it back and saying this this amazing crystal exists and you can just walk up and recharge.

Beth Bobbitt:

Right right.

Wendy Guerrero:

The, the incredible bounty of, you know, those type of free opportunities to just walk around and discover is what I really love to do in Bentonville, and then I will typically have a lunch. There's so many wonderful restaurants that I love, from Meteor, their falafel salad or their falafel thing over there is something that we always get because our offices is over by meteor cafe, yes, um, and then and then probably just uh, taking in some more, you know, just sitting and having another conversation with a friend and catching up with some of the good friends I've made over the years in Bentonville and and ending with with a beautiful dinner. I love Bar Cleeta that's kind of one of my go-tos, but I also love the 21c and the Hive restaurant. Their Hive burger there I get quite often with the pimento cheese.

Beth Bobbitt:

That's something I find everywhere. Yes, that's a staple, a Southern treat.

Wendy Guerrero:

if you will, I can get even more detailed and go on and on I love it. I have so many amazing places that I love to go to and experience in Bentonville.

Beth Bobbitt:

Well, I hope you get your dream day and I hope we see you at the festival this year. I mean, each year it just gets better and better, and this is such a special year, with the 10th anniversary and a mission to amplify women and underrepresented people in film. It's so important, especially for this growing community. Wendy, thank you for all that you do and for coming on today. Remind us how to find out more about the festival.

Wendy Guerrero:

I am so honored to be here and talking and sharing with you all about the festival and if you're curious and you want to learn more, please go to our website, BentonvilleFilm. org. It has all of our pass information, all of our film schedule. We'll be releasing some more special events, like I said earlier, but those will all be published on our website. Exciting. We also have an Instagram. If you're on Instagram, it's @bfffestival, on Instagram.

Beth Bobbitt:

Beautiful. You're not going to want to miss this. Lots of conversations, screenings and surprises at the 10th anniversary Bentonville Film Festival June 11th through the 16th Festival. Passes are on sale now. And don't forget, visit Bentonville is here to help you navigate things to do, where to eat and stay and what's going on in our new American town. Give us a follow on social media, sign up for the newsletter and check out the website at visitbentonville. com. Thanks for listening.