FORT SMITH -- The fifth annual Fort Smith International Film Festival and MidAmerica Film Market kicks off Wednesday night with a special screening at the Fort Smith Museum of History.
Wednesday the annual festival hosts a pre-event screening of "In the Footsteps of Darby: A General's Journey," at 6:30 p.m. followed by a question and answer session at 7:30 p.m. at the Fort Smith Museum of History.
"In the Footsteps of Darby: A General's Journey" documents the legacy of General William Darby and connections between Fort Smith and Cisterna, Italy, according to a press release issued in April by Discover Fort Smith.
"Local filmmakers Grant Thomas with Sol Studios and Brandon Chase Goldsmith with the Fort Smith International Film Festival have crafted an inspiring documentary that weaves together the remarkable story of General William O. Darby and Fort Smith's 40-year sister city bond with Cisterna, Italy," the release states.
"Having the opportunity to work on this project has been nothing short of an amazing experience, said Thomas. "As someone who was born and raised in Fort Smith, I had very little knowledge about our relationship with Cisterna, Italy. I have learned so much and I'm very excited to share this story with the greater public. The importance of General Darby's legacy and the sacrifice of those he led can't be stressed enough."
The film on Darby premiered on April 26 at Darby Middle School in Darby Auditorium. April 30, 2025, marked the 80th anniversary of Darby's death on April 30, 1945. He was listed as Killed In Action in Nago-Torbole, Italy at the end of World War II.
The Darby documentary screening is the precursor to the full program of events, set for Thursday-Saturday at various venues around town.
This year will also see the second annual MidAmerica Film Market at the Fort Smith Convention Center, according to a press release issued by the festival organizers.
The 2025 official program features 160 films, the release states, with 45% of the entries from Arkansas and Oklahoma, 30% from international filmmakers and 25% from across the United States, including works by filmmakers from 17 indigenous nations and tribes.
"We're so thrilled to be a part of the fifth year of the Fort Smith International Film Festival," said Tori Buie, festival director of operations. "Our new venue allows us to focus on the filmmaker community, which is what festivals like this are all about. Seeing films from all over the world has a way of widening your perspective. So come out, meet other artists and connect through powerful stories."
On Thursday, the Fort Smith Convention Center will host a free Red Carpet Opening Night including two power features and an After Dark Films screen at the Bakery District for adults only. Doors open at 5 p.m.
On Friday, the festival and market open with screenings in multiple venues of international, accessibility, short documentaries, episodics and more including pottery films featuring a demonstration, the release states. Animation After Dark (adults only) will be held at the Bakery District. There will also be music videos and additional shorts screened at Hero's. Films will be screening from noon until 10 p.m. at the convention center, and until midnight or later at the Bakery District Collection Room and Hero's on Garrison Avenue.
Saturday will feature showcases of Arkansas, Oklahoma, college, indigenous people of color and international films, LGBTQ+ shorts and features at Kinkeads. Music documentaries about legends Sully Erna (Godsmack) and Randy Crouch will be screened at the Bakery District. Films will be screened from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. in the convention center, and until 9 p.m. in the Bakery District Collection Room and Kinkeads, 1004 Garrison Ave.
"The Cisterna, Italy film block is one of the elements I'm most excited about this year," said Goldsmith, festival executive director. "They've become a true sister city, and the films they sent us this year include stories of humor, transformation and second chances. Grouping them together felt like a perfect way to honor the 40-year twinning of our cities."
The Cisterna Film Block opens the festival Friday at noon and features a comedy about the pope and an uplifting story of a high-end prison cooking program that provides Michelin-star post incarceration employment, the release states.
The MidAmerica Film Market will bring leading industry experts to Fort Smith to empower independent filmmakers.
Returning this year are Jeff Porter and retired Sgt. Major Keith L. Craig, co-founders of Porter + Craig Film and Media Distribution, alongside award-winning creative producer Silvia Mathis of Punkin Studios. Last year's market led to a film being signed and creative properties represented at Cannes, the release states.
The film market will feature workshops, including AI in Film: Disruption, Innovation and Opportunity, led by Jeff Porter.
"AI is here to stay," said Porter. "At the MidAmerica Film Market, we're not just talking about the future of film, we're giving filmmakers practical strategies to innovate, adapt and thrive without losing creative control."
Other workshops will include The Checkpoint Decoder: Distribution Checklist and Creative Producing Decoded: From Vision to Greenlight, the release states.
To purchase tickets for Film Market Workshops, visit https://www.ozarkstix.com/events/2025-midamerica-film-market-8-7-2025.
Fort Smith International Film Festival
Festival Pass -- $15 ($20 after Aug. 7)
VIP Pass -- $40 ($50 after Aug. 7)
Includes access to the VIP lounge, filmmaker meet & greets, and more.
Passes and full festival schedule available at FortSmithFilm.com
Source: Fort Smith International Film Festival