The Bentonville Film Festival (BFF) will release three of its winning films that received guaranteed distribution deals in AMC Theatres’ AMC Independent locations beginning in October, festival organizers announced Tuesday.
On Oct. 9, the 2015 Documentary Winner “In My Fathers House” will be released in markets across the country; BFF Audience Award Winner “Thao’s Library,” will arrive in theaters on Oct. 16 at AMC locations in 20 markets; and Jury Award Winner for Best Narrative “Jack of the Red Hearts” will be released on Dec. 4 at AMC locations in 25 markets.
“AMC’s partnership with the Bentonville Film Festival is a perfect complement to our AMC Independent programming initiative, which delivers unique stories and voices that represent and resonate with our diverse guest base around the country,” said Nikkole Denson-Randolph, vice president of Alternative & Special Content for AMC.
The BFF initiative provides a commercial option for women and diverse storytellers to share their work with a national audience. The festival took place from May 5-9 in Bentonville, Arkansas, and was the first and only film competition in the world to offer guaranteed theatrical, television, digital and retail home entertainment distribution for its winners.
In addition to securing the theatrical releases of the three films, the BFF Foundation will be taking the filmmakers and talent on a national tour to promote the movies.
“We’re so proud of the 2015 BFF winning films and are excited to take all of this talent on our Symposium Tour!” said Academy Award winner and Co-Founder of the Bentonville Film Festival, Geena Davis. “We’re bringing together the creative minds behind the scenes of our films to create a truly educational and interactive experience.”
In August, the Bentonville Film Festival announced that it will return next year on May 3-8, 2016 with ARC Entertainment, Walmart, Coca-Cola and AMC Theatres on board as sponsors.
The festival’s advisory board is comprised of entertainment industry leaders and artists including Angela Bassett, Bruce Dern, Samuel L. Jackson, Randy Jackson, Eva Longoria, Julianne Moore, Paula Patton, Natalie Portman, Nina Tassler and Shailene Woodley.
The fest screens 75 films, including studio premieres, indies and documentaries, and includes an awards ceremony.
Film submissions for the Festival open on October 1, 2015, and the films accepted into competition will be announced in March 2016.
The symposium dates and locations are listed below.
“In My Fathers House”
Oct. 12 New York: AMC Empire 25
Oct. 13 Atlanta: AMC Southlake 24
“Thao’s Library”
Oct. 19 San Diego: AMC Fashion Valley 18
Oct. 20 Los Angeles: AMC Burbank 8
Oct. 21 San Francisco: AMC Metreon 16
“Jack of the Red Hearts”
Dec. 7 New York: AMC EMPIRE 25
Dec. 8 Atlanta: AMC Sugarloaf 18
Dec. 9 Los Angeles: AMC Burbank 8