Geena Davis Launches Film Festival Geared Toward Women and Minorities

Geena Davis has launched a new film festival aimed at women and diversity in film, and she has helped recruit Julianne Moore, Samuel L. Jackson and Natalie Portman among other top names, as advisors.

The inaugural Bentonville Film Festival will take place from May 5-9 in Bentonville, Arkansas, and will be the first and only film competition in the world to “offer guaranteed theatrical, television, digital and retail home entertainment distribution” for its winners.

Davis will serve as chairwoman of the festival, which will screen approximately 75 films in competition. These will range from “studio premieres to independent features and documentaries”.

Davis says, “I have been an advocate for women for most of my adult life… and the Bentonville Film Festival is a critical component of how we can directly impact the quantity and quality of females and minorities on screen and behind-the scenes.”

Joining Moore, Portman and Jackson on the advisory board will be Angela Bassett, Bruce Dern, Eva Longoria, Paula Patton and Shailene Woodley.

Films that receive the Audience, Jury Selection and Best Family Film awards at the festival will receive a distribution agreement with a guaranteed traditional theatrical release on a minimum of 25 screens from AMC Theatres.

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