
Event Details
Dates: 8/25/2023 - 8/26/2023Description
The 2023 Fort Smith International Film Festival returns August 25 & 26, 2023, to Temple Live in downtown Fort Smith, Arkansas!
[re]Focused is the theme of the festival, celebrating a storytelling renaissance by moviemakers who suffered production obstacles posed by the global pandemic. Artists who persevered are emerging with a new focus. People and groups who were on the margins or left out of narratives are entering the picture with a sharpness that reveals the details of life at a higher resolution.
CATEGORIES
People of Color
Indigenous
Music Video
Animation
High School Short Film
College Student Short Film
Documentary
Short & Feature-length Films
SCHEDULE
AUG. 25 | OPENING NIGHT
Temple Live, Main Theater
4:30 PM | Doors Open
5 PM | NWA Screenwriters Collective Meeting & Mixer
6 PM | Opening Remarks
6:20 PM | Belinga Foundation Introductory Film
6:40 PM | I WANTED TO BE VITTORIO GASSMANN
Cristian Scardigno from the Cisterna Film Festival
7 PM | Cisterna Film Festival Panel
7:15 PM | Cherokee Nation Film Office Film
7:30 PM | Keynote Address
Sgt. Major Keith L. Craig (Ret.)
Jeff Porter of Porter + Craig Film and Media Distribution
8:05 PM | Regional Films Showcase
When the Stairs Creek - Jason Pitts
Banana Triangle Six - Marc Crandall
Lowlifes - Daniel Wingfield
The River Woe - Christopher Coursey
9:30 PM | Q&A with filmmakers
AUG. 26 | FILM SCREENINGS
Content Warning: films are unrated and may contain nudity, sexual situations, strong language, and violence.
SHORT FILMS
Temple Live, Main Theater
10 AM | Animation
11:40 AM | Romance/Drama
2:15 PM | Experimental /Comedy
4:35 PM | Indigenous
6:40 PM | People of Color
8:25 PM | Action / Sci-fi
FOREIGN FILMS
Temple Live, Lodge Room
10 AM | Poetry Zaban
11:15 AM | How to Thrive
1:10 PM | Evolution of Style
3:05 PM | Huspa Jhala Re
4:05 PM | Amuka
5:35 PM | Unfriending
7:25 PM | No Shadows Left
9 PM | Cover Your Ears
AND MORE
Temple Live, Commandry Room
10:30 AM | LGBTQ Films
11:50 AM | Alumni Films
1:40 PM | Please Marry Our Daughter
3:30 PM | New West
5:50 PM | Regional College Films
7:20 PM | Local Films
Somewhere In Nowhere
9:35 PM | Ghost In The World
Temple Live, Sphinx Club
10:30 AM | Short Docs
12:30 PM | Documentary Features
Sound of Identity
2:15 PM | One Pint at a Time
4:05 PM | No Trespassing
5:40 PM | Music Videos
7:05 PM | Crown
8:15 PM | We Will Speak
10:05 PM | Thrillers
AUG. 26 | FILMMAKER PANELS
11:30 AM | Animation / Alum
12:45 PM | Shorts Docs / Romance
2 PM | College
3:15 PM | Sci-Fi / Others
4 PM | Break
5 PM | Comedy / LGBTQ / Regional
6:15 PM | Features
7:30 PM | Indigenous / Thriller
8:45 PM | People of Color /Action
10 PM | Local / Regional
AUG. 26 | AWARDS
Temple Live, Main Theater
10:30 PM | Awards Pre-Party
11:30 PM | Awards Ceremony
12 AM | After-Party
Fort Smith International Film Festival is brought to you by The River Valley Film Society Inc. We are a 501c3 non-profit with the goal to build a vibrant film culture in the River Valley through transformative cinematic experiences and educational film opportunities.
* Please confirm directly with the promoter or box office to ensure event details have not changed.