Geena Davis, Jon Heder and More Stars at the 2018 Bentonville Film Festival

Credit: Victor Chalfant

Geena Davis, Jon Heder and More Stars at the 2018 Bentonville Film Festival

It’s a star-studded event! Celebrities flocked to the Bentonville Film Festival in Bentonville, Arkansas, including cofounder Geena Davis, actor Jon Heder, country singer Carly Pearce and more. The annual weeklong event, which champions the many forms of media, kicked off May 1. This year’s festival will showcase a variety of family-friendly activities, music events sponsored by Coca-Cola and more than 100 free films. For Marvel fans, that means more than 15 films from the graphic novel powerhouse, including Thor, Iron Man and Guardians of the Galaxy. For fans of indie movies, features from the Sundance Film Festival will be available. Musical acts include Vintage Trouble, Ally Brooke and Alex Aiono, Lauren Alaina and Song Suffragettes, while Los Lobos and Run River North will close out the festival on Sunday. The BFF is a non-profit organization with a focus on “promoting underrepresented voices in the entertainment industry through research, education, mentoring and industry partnerships.” Scroll down to see more from the festival!

Credit: Victor Chalfant

Geena Davis, Jon Heder and More Stars at the 2018 Bentonville Film Festival

It’s a star-studded event! Celebrities flocked to the Bentonville Film Festival in Bentonville, Arkansas, including cofounder Geena Davis, actor Jon Heder, country singer Carly Pearce and more. The annual weeklong event, which champions the many forms of media, kicked off May 1. This year’s festival will showcase a variety of family-friendly activities, music events sponsored by Coca-Cola and more than 100 free films. For Marvel fans, that means more than 15 films from the graphic novel powerhouse, including Thor, Iron Man and Guardians of the Galaxy. For fans of indie movies, features from the Sundance Film Festival will be available. Musical acts include Vintage Trouble, Ally Brooke and Alex Aiono, Lauren Alaina and Song Suffragettes, while Los Lobos and Run River North will close out the festival on Sunday. The BFF is a non-profit organization with a focus on “promoting underrepresented voices in the entertainment industry through research, education, mentoring and industry partnerships.” Scroll down to see more from the festival!

Credit: Victor Chalfant

Geena Davis

The League of Their Own actress took a quick break from the festival action to enjoy a Coca-Cola. 

Credit: Victor Chalfant

Girl Power

Loni Love and Meg Ryan posed for a photo together at the event. The Real cohost shared the photos on Twitter, writing: “When Loni Met Meg!!! Great night hosting the @bfffestival... This film festival champions diversity in filmmaking... Thxs @GDIGM   #bff2018 :camera_with_flash:: Phillip Faraone.”

Credit: Victor Chalfant

Guy Talk

The Black Eyed Peas member Will.i.am hit the stage and participated in a panel discussion.

Credit: Victor Chalfant

Making Her Mark

Geena Davis was spotted signing one of the Unilever coloring walls during the festival.

Credit: Victor Chalfant

Girl Talk

Ryan joined the festival co-founder, Davis, 62, for the Geena & Friends panel alongside Orange Is the New Black actress Alysia Reiner, Santa Clarita Diet actress Natalie Morales and Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s Stephanie Beatriz.

Credit: Victor Chalfant

They’ve Got Each Other’s Back

David Arquette and director Matthew Cooke were all smiles as they supported each other at the screening.

Credit: Victor Chalfant

Excited to be There

Filmmaker Tracy Twinkie Byrd was thrilled to attend the Bentonville Film Festival.

Credit: Victor Chalfant

Spreading Joy

Breaking Bad’s RJ Mitte and actor/paralympian Katy Sullivan spoke together on the Ability panel.

Credit: Victor Chalfant

Happy Couple

David and Christina Arquette looked dashing as they posed with their arms around each other.

Credit: Victor Chalfant

Shining Moment

Ally Brooke was all smiles as she gave a stunning performance.

Credit: Victor Chalfant

Big Performance

YouTube star Alex Aiono took the stage at the Coca-Cola soundstage and provided entertainment to guests.

Credit: Victor Chalfant

Sharing Her Wisdom

The Talk alum Aisha Tyler took the stage for the A League of Their Own panel presented by ACI - American Cinema International.

Credit: Victor Chalfant

Greeting Guests

Tyler joined Alex Aiono and posed with attendees at the Coca-Cola Soundstage at The Meteor.

Credit: Courtesy of BFF/Victor Chalfant

Quite the Thrill

The Quiet Place’s Millicent Simmonds posed alongside Jenna Sereni, the VP of WHOSAY, during the Next Gen Business Leaders Summit discussion on Wednesday.

Credit: Courtesy of BFF/Victor Chalfant

Boss Lady

Lisa Borders, the president of the Women's National Basketball Association, also spoke at the Next Gen Business Leaders Summit.

Credit: Courtesy of BFF/Victor Chalfant

In the Spotlight

Simmonds, looking elegant in a floral dress, was interviewed by Sereni, where they discussed the topic “Images Matter.”

Credit: Courtesy of BFF/Victor Chalfant

Star of the Show

The Thelma & Louise actress looked lovely in a long blue skirt and pink top while addressing the crowd.

Credit: Courtesy of BFF/Victor Chalfant

Good Vibes

Vintage Trouble rocked the crowd with their performance on Wednesday at the Coca Cola Sound Stage at The Meteor.

Credit: Courtesy of BFF/Victor Chalfant

Deep in Thought

Heroes actor James Kyson, who stars in BFF Official Selection Banana Season, took in a film workshop at the HBO & Cinedigm Filmmaker Lounge at Elkins Design. 

Credit: Courtesy of BFF/Victor Chalfant

Opening Act

Carly Pearce set the tone on Tuesday, May 1, when she rocked out on the Coca-Cola Sound Stage at The Meteor on the festival’s opening night.

Credit: Courtesy of BFF/Victor Chalfant

Date Night

Heroes actor James Kyson posed for photos with wife Jamee on the blue carpet.

Credit: Courtesy of BFF/Victor Chalfant

A Star Is Born

Up-and-coming country singer Jillian Jacqueline took the stage on opening night.

Credit: Courtesy of BFF/Victor Chalfant

Feelin’ Blue

Napoleon Dynamite star Jon Heder was casual in all denim.

Credit: Courtesy of BFF/Victor Chalfant

All Eyes on Her

Academy Gold intern Tracey Aivaz — who won the opportunity to create a short film — debuted her movie.

Credit: Courtesy of BFF/Victor Chalfant

Squad Goals

The cast and crew of The Honor List — including director Elissa Downs, Meghan Rienks, Arden Cho, Liz Destro, Kendall Rhodes, writer Marilyn Fu and Laura Kennedy — smiled for photographers. 

Credit: Courtesy of BFF/Victor Chalfant

What an Honor

The creators of the BFF — Davis and Trevor Drinkwater — posed alongside Wendy Guerrero, who is the president of programming. 

Credit: Victor Chalfant

Taking on a New Role

Back to the Future actress Lea Thompson screened her directorial debut, The Year of Spectacular Men, at the festival on Friday, May 4. She stars in the film alongside her daughters Madelyn and Zoey Deutch.

Credit: Victor Chalfant

Power Trio

Busy Philipps and Meg Ryan, who teamed up for a Q&A at the festival on Friday, were photographed with Geena Davis, who’s a cofounder of the Arkansas event.