We're little more than a week away from the Arkansas Cinema Society's annual Filmland festival and we've finally got a picture of what awaits movie lovers.

Once again operating outdoors, this year's fest (dubbed Filmland in the Park) will take place Sept. 30 - Oct. 3 at MacArthur Park. The newly announced lineup includes Oscar-buzzworthy titles and names, including headliner Jessica Chastain and her new film "The Eyes of Tammy Faye."

"I’ve known Jessica since we worked together on our film 'Take Shelter,'" says Jeff Nichols, writer/director and ACS co-founder. "It was exciting to be on that set and watch the immense talent she’d bring every day, and it’s been equally exciting to watch how her career has evolved and exploded over the last decade. I truly consider her one of the best actors working today." 

Without further ado, here's your guide to Filmland in the Park 2021.

 

Sept. 30

  • 7:15 p.m. - "Becoming Cousteau" 
  • Following the movie - virtual Q&A with Jeff Nichols and producer Evan Hayes

 

Oct. 1

  • Prior to the main event - screening of Filmland: Arkansas audience award winners
  • 7:15 p.m. - "Halloween" (2018)
  • Following the movie - Q&A with Jeff Nichols and writer/director David Gordon Green

 

Oct. 2 

  • Prior to the main event - short film premiere by Filmmaking Lab for Teen Girls participants
  • 7:15 p.m. - "The Eyes of Tammy Faye"
  • Following the movie - Q&A with Jeff Nichols and actor/producer Jessica Chastain

 

Oct. 3

  • Prior to the main event - screening of Filmland: Arkansas audience award winners
  • 7:15 p.m. - "A Hero" 
  • Following the movie - Q&A with Jeff Nichols and director Asghar Farhadi

 

Gates open at 6 p.m. each night and screenings will be accompanied by local food trucks, while pros will host filmmaking panel discussions and workshops during the day. More on workshops here.

The Filmland Digital Experience is also back this year highlighting post-screening Q&As as well as the 23 local amateur films — five features, 12 shorts and seven student shorts — selected to be in the Filmland: Arkansas lineup. Streaming will be available Sept. 24 - Oct. 3. More on that here.

Tickets for Filmland in the Park go on sale for ACS members and sponsors at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 23, and open to the public at 9 a.m. the following day. ACS members receive 50% off, and thanks to a new collaboration with the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, AMFA members will receive 10% off tickets to all screenings and workshops.

Attendees must be vaccinated or have proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 48 hours. Masks are required when ordering concessions.

Visit the Arkansas Cinema Society website for tickets and to learn more about the festival, workshops and selected films, and follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates.

And take a deep dive into ACS in our 2020 feature on executive director and co-founder Kathryn Tucker.