The Bentonville Film Festival Has Your Summer Covered

June in Bentonville just got busier. The Bentonville Film Festival is back for its 12th year, and this is the one to put on your summer list. A full week of films, events, and good company right in your backyard.

The Deets

A Week Worth Blocking Off

BFF draws in film fans, curious locals, and anyone looking for a reason to get out of the house in the middle of summer. Twelve years in, it’s grown into a celebration of creativity, community, and summertime joy.

What’s Screening

The 2026 film program spans 12 Spotlight Films, 12 Narrative Films, 12 Documentaries, 5 Episodics, 23 Short Films, 7 Homegrown Films, and 8 Outdoor Theater Films.

Spotlight screenings kick off with the Opening Film Family Movie and close out with Little House on the Prairie. In between, you’ll find titles like The Brittney Griner Story and Street Smart, the festival’s Centerpiece selection.

On the narrative side, look out for BRB, Dead Deer High, and Valentina. Documentary fans can catch The Dads, Jane Elliott Against the World, and When a Witness Recants. Episodic offerings include Blood Sugar, Committed, and Too Romantic.

The Homegrown Competition — spotlighting Arkansas-connected filmmakers — features Welcome to the Fishbowl, Cycling Without Age, and Project Neo: Building a New Way to Work. Shorts in competition include Irish Farmers: A Love Story, She Chose War, and Veronica.

And if you’re bringing the family, the Outdoor Theater lineup has something for everyone: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Wicked: For Good, F1: The Movie, and Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie are all on the bill.

Beyond the Screen

Screenings are just part of the picture. Expect activities and events for all ages spread throughout the week, with more announcements still on the way as the festival date approaches.

Keep an eye on the BFF website for lineup announcements and grab your passes before they go.