The Ozark Foothills FilmFest is an eclectic celebration of the cinema arts that takes place in April each year in Batesville, Arkansas. It is one of extremely few film festivals taking place in a truly rural community. The festival screens narrative and documentary films of all lengths, as well as curated foreign language films and restored American classics. Opportunities for artist/audience interaction at the 2016 festival include a filmmaker panel discussion titled “Reel Rural: Rural America in Independent Film,” post-screening Q&As, informal filmmaker chats at a coffee house and college campus, and a filmmaker welcoming reception. The 16th annual Ozark Foothills FilmFest takes place April 14-15 and April 21-22, 2017.
Cash prizes will be awarded for Best Narrative Feature, Best Documentary Feature, Best Narrative Short, and Best Documentary Short. Winners are also presented with an original design hand-thrown ceramic trophy created by Mountain View Pottery.
Entries must be submitted digitally online using the Film Freeway website (www.filmfreeway.com/festival/OzarkFoothillsFilmFest). The submission deadline is November 30, 2016; entrants will be notified regarding selections on or before January 15, 2017. Special consideration is given to films that reflect rural concerns, lifestyles, and sensibilities. All revenue generated from entry fees is allocated to competition prizes and to providing lodging and travel support for visiting filmmakers. For additional information regarding the submission process, go to www.ozarkfoothillsfilmfest.org/submit2017 or email ozarkfilm@wildblue.net.
