Made in Arkansas Film Festival - Reel Realities: A Night of Documentary Shorts

Join the Made in Arkansas Film Festival for a monthly night of screenings in the CALS Ron Robinson Theater. This month, we're thrilled to present an evening of documentary shorts!

Join the Made in Arkansas Film Festival for a monthly night of screenings in the CALS Ron Robinson Theater. This month, we're thrilled to present an evening of documentary shorts!

Doors will open at 6:00pm and films start promptly at 7:00pm.

Beer, wine, and concessions will be available until 8:30pm.

To The Bone (5:36) Directed by Andy Sarjahani - 2022

An Ozarks naturalist and bowhunter reflects on a recent animal harvest as he ponders the Cycle of Life. 

Nominated for Best Microshort 2022

I Remember (12:23) Directed by Matthew Rice

The owners of Yesteryear, a small business dedicated to the digital conversion of home media, help a family preserve their memories, some of which haven't seen the light of day in over sixty years. 

Made in Arkansas Film Festival 2022 

Arkansas High Country (17:32) Directed by Jonathan Childs

A documentary about where the bike can take you. Former pro roadies Ernie and Scott Lechuga uncover what led them to adventure off the beaten path -- around the world and in their home state of Arkansas.

Nominated for Best Arkansas Short 2020

IX (35:15) Directed by Denzel Jenkins

Title IX is a law that prevents gender discrimination in higher education. The film "IX' documents the evolution of the anti-discriminatory law and some of the lives affected by it.

Winner of Best Arkansas Student Film 2020

10-minute intermission

Of Concrete & Skin (12:16) Directed by Nolan Dean

This 12-minute film tells the story of the design, construction, and significance of The Elaine Massacre Memorial in Helena, Arkansas - a memorial dedicated to the victims of one of the deadliest - and most forgotten - racial conflicts in United States history.

Nominated for Best Arkansas Short 2020

The Man From Boggy Creek (26:32) Directed by Scott McKinnon & Paul Glover

A documentary short that looks at the legacy and influence of independent film director Charles B. Pierce. His film "The Legend of Boggy Creek" helped create the faux-documentary-style horror film and inspired a generation of filmmakers. "The Town That Dreaded Sundown" introduced audiences to the masked or hooded killer in films. Despite these accomplishments, Pierce's legacy has largely been ignored by the media.

Nominated for Best Arkansas Short 2021

Just Benjamin (23:56) Directed by Paige Murphy

Benjamin “Benji” Davis, a 29-year-old transgender man from Arkansas, has wanted to move to Colorado for years. Since coming out as trans in his 20s, Benji has found acceptance in unexpected places, both in the military and with his traditional, small-town Arkansan father. But Benji hopes that moving to Colorado will be a fresh start for him, a place where he can be safe and free, where he can be "just Benjamin."

Winner of Best Arkansas Student Film 2022

The Road to Milan (21:00) Directed by Curran Ferrey

The Road to Milan follows Andrea Allen of Onyx Coffee Lab through her journey from winning the US Barista Championship to Milan, where she will compete in the World Barista Championship. With the support of her team, her family, and her husband, Jon, she creates a routine worthy of the world stage. It’s a story of perseverance, of craft, of quality over quantity, of pushing boundaries, of family, and of community.

Winner of Best Documentary Short Film 2023

10-minute intermission

Q&A with filmmakers