There are some things to get excited about at the 7th Annual Little Rock Film Festival this year, slated for May 15-19.
At a press conference today (April 1) at the Argenta Community Theater in downtown North Little Rock, festival co-founder and co-artistic director Craig Renaud made several big announcements for this year's festival.
It was first announced that the event's festivities will be expanded to both sides of the river at the Arkansas Repertory Theatre, Oxford American (only may serve as a party venue), Argenta Community Theater and The Joint. For the first time, the festival will not use the Riverdale 10 Cinema as a venue.
He also announced a second prize for the festival sponsored by Heifer International -- $10,000 for the top humanitarian film. This is in addition to the Oxford American prize given to the Best Southern Film.
Music will also be added to the festivities. Matt White, co-owner a booker of White Water Tavern, will collaborate with organizers to integrate music into the festival, including some mini-concerts before screenings.
Early film announcements were made at the press conference, as well, and included "Bridegroom," a marriage-equality documentary by Linda Bloodworth-Thomason; a documentary on "Beasts of the Southern Wild," and the children's film "Diary of a Wimpy Kid," with actors and filmmakers attending.
The rest of the line-up will announced April 15.
For more information about the festival and tickets, click here.