In August, the Arkansas Cinema Society (ACS) held its annual film festival, Filmland. This year marked the festival’s ninth year, featuring five days of three feature-length movies and 20 short films, alongside panels, Q&As and workshops.
As a member of the ACS Board of Directors, I am consistently inspired by the dedication of our staff and leadership in delivering an event of this caliber. As part of the Tyson family, I am equally proud that the Tyson Family Foundation returned as a presenting sponsor to support our state’s arts community.
Filmland 2026 Celebrated Stories and Storytellers
Filmland offers a unique platform for cinema enthusiasts and creators alike. Highlights from this year included actor Judge Reinhold sharing stories about making the 1986 comedy “Ruthless People” and Matthew McConaughey accepting the Variety Legend & Groundbreaker Award.
Beyond showcasing award-winning titles from Sundance and SXSW alongside other films, ACS remains deeply committed to celebrating local talent. A dedicated subset, known as “Filmland: Arkansas,” features documentaries, shorts and features with Arkansas roots. Features in this collection were filmed in the state or made by Arkansans outside the state. In addition to celebrating established cinema, Filmland serves as an ideal space for emerging filmmakers to showcase their ideas and learn from others through various workshops. It also allows these young filmmakers to continue their craft through grants that go toward their next project.
Filmland 2026 Awarded $85,000 to Filmmakers
Empowering the next generation of storytellers is central to the festival’s mission. During Filmland 2026, more than $85,000 in grants and production support was awarded to participating filmmakers, with industry giant Panavision providing two New Filmmaker Program Equipment Grants:
- $60,000 Panavision Grant: Awarded to Ben Harrison’s “The Robbery,” which won the Audience Award for Feature
- $15,000 Panavision Grant: Awarded to Alexander Jeffery’s “The Old Man at the Bar,” which won the Audience Award for Pro Short Film
Past winners have made films in Arkansas that premiered at the next Filmland, showcasing the positive impact that comes from supporting local artists and community members. I’m proud to see the impact this event has had on my home state — bringing in jobs and promoting Arkansas as a cultural touchstone.
Filmland also has the Pitch Contest, where local filmmakers have a couple of minutes to pitch their project. They explain their vision for their next short film to an audience and a panel of industry judges. The best pitch receives a $5,000 cash prize and a package of lights and grips from Film Gear Rentals.
This year, the winning pitch went to Levi Agee for his project “The Adoption of Micah.” Agee can now start producing his film and looks forward to premiering it at Filmland 2027.
Congratulations to all the winners!
Investing in Arkansas’ Creative Future
The mission of the Arkansas Cinema Society aligns closely with my personal commitment to developing the state’s culture and arts. Arkansas is home, and fostering an environment where creative industries can thrive is essential to building strong communities.
This work directly complements the ongoing efforts of the Tyson Family Foundation. Culture and the arts have long been important to the foundation, so our sponsorship is a natural extension of our mission to expand educational and cultural access across the state.
Looking Forward to Filmland 2027
Events like Filmland do more than entertain. They help communities connect and develop creative talents right here in Arkansas. By supporting these storytellers, we are actively investing in the vibrant future of our state’s cultural landscape.
I am incredibly proud of what the Arkansas Cinema Society achieved this year and look forward to seeing how they continue to grow the state’s arts and culture in the years to come.