The Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival is hosting a fundraising campaign this month with the goal of raising $20,000 by July 31, Jennifer Gerber, the festival's executive director, announced Monday.
Philanthropist and longtime supporter of the local arts Dorothy Morris has offered to match the funds raised, Gerber said, and the money will largely go toward bringing the films and filmmakers to the October festival.
The 27th annual festival is set for Oct. 19-27 at the Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa.
"For me, it's really important to have our filmmakers present at the screenings; that's what makes it different, to come to the festival rather than watching at home," Gerber said. "It's really important for our audiences to have those conversations with the filmmakers and for people outside of Arkansas to get to travel to our beautiful city and see it and get to know our community. That, to me, is the heart of our festival, but that does cost a lot of money. Last year we traveled about 90 filmmakers, and we're housing them for two to three days, so that is a substantial part of our budget."
Last year, film legends Werner Herzog, Stanley Nelson, Zazie Beetz and Kathleen Turner were present at the nine-day festival during which they attended screenings of their films and participated in Q&A sessions and classes. Gerber said as of now it is still too early to announce this year's film and guest highlights but more should be announced by mid-August.
With Friday being the extended deadline for film submissions, Gerber said this year's film list will also be finalized by August.
As for festival planning, Gerber said, "It's going really well. I'm certainly feeling the momentum picking up. We're definitely starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel with the programming."
In June, the HSDFF announced it will host its inaugural Emerging Voices Retreat for nonfiction filmmakers this year on Oct. 19-22. Submissions for the retreat are open through July 31.
Six candidates will be chosen to participate in the four-day retreat.
According to a news release, during the first weekend of the festival participants will be granted an all-access pass to attend the HSDFF's carefully curated filmmaker development panels and workshops; screenings of some of the best nonfiction films of the year followed by engaging Q&As with the subjects and acclaimed filmmakers; and festival parties. Participants will also partake in scheduled one-on-one meetings with top industry professionals in nonfiction storytelling.
The retreat will culminate in a Retreat Day on Oct. 22, an intimate gathering of filmmakers and industry experts at a lakeside residence in Hot Springs. The day is designed to help foster discussion, collaboration and encouragement through a series of intimate, closed-door sessions with notable and inspiring mentors from different aspects of the field.
"We've already had tons of submissions for the retreat and they still have a couple weeks, so we're looking good," Gerber said.
Seven sponsorship levels are available for this year's festival:
• Patron Circle (up to $149) -- Name listed on festival website.
• Legacy Circle ($150-$499) -- Complimentary festival poster and T-shirt and name listed on website.
• Founder Circle ($500-$999) -- One All-Access Sponsor Pass with access to VIP lounge located at the Arlington Hotel and a special "thank you" in the HSDFF printed program.
• Red Carpet Circle ($1,000) -- Special invite to exclusive Red Carpet Circle Reception; name listed on festival program; sponsor logo or name featured on festival website; and two All-Access Sponsor Passes with access to VIP lounge located at the Arlington Hotel.
• Assistant Director Circle ($2,500) -- Logo or name featured on festival trailer shown before each festival film screening; a quarter-page ad in festival program; sponsor logo or name featured on festival website; and two All-Access Sponsor Passes with access to VIP lounge located at the Arlington Hotel.
• Director's Circle ($5,000) -- Logo or name featured on festival trailer shown before each festival film screening; quarter-page ad in festival program; sponsor logo or name featured on festival website; and four All-Access Sponsor Passes with access to VIP lounge located at the Arlington Hotel.
• Screening Circle, Sponsor a Screening ($7,000) -- Chance to run up to a one-minute advertisement before sponsored screening; chance to introduce the film and give remarks before screening; logo or name featured on festival trailer shown before each festival film screening; a quarter-page ad in festival program; sponsor logo or name featured on festival website; sponsor logo listed in program guide next to film information; and four All-Access Sponsor Passes with access to VIP lounge located at the Arlington Hotel.
"Bringing creative and varied voices to underrepresented communities is our passion, and joining forces with people such as yourself allows us to empower the next generation of Arkansas storytellers," Gerber said in the release.
"The majority of our budget is made up of contributions from community partners like you. Your support works immediately to provide opportunities for documentary filmmakers to share vital stories within the state of Arkansas."
Local on 07/05/2018