The El Dorado Film Festival brings films, music, parties and more to the 2025 line-up for this year’s event taking place from February 26th to March 2nd at the South Arkansas Arts Center. Alongside the 40th anniversary screening of Fright Night with star William Ragsdale, this year’s festival includes films starring Chandler Riggs (The Walking Dead), Marc Maron (Glow) and Robert Longstreet (The Fall of the House of Usher).
“Last year’s El Dorado Film Festival left me feeling inspired,” said Executive Director Alexander Jeffery. “We received over double the submissions this year, and we are putting together an event that I think people in the community and surrounding area will really enjoy. There is plenty more to announce in the coming weeks, but for now I am absolutely thrilled to share this incredible line-up of films that we have the great fortune of showcasing next month.”
Tickets are on sale now from the South Arkansas Arts Center box office! There are lots of options, individual day passes, the 3-day film pass, or an all access VIP festival 5-day pass to enjoy everything the festival has to offer! Full details at the bottom of the page.
Break Up Season – Starring Chandler Riggs (The Walking Dead) and Samantha Isler (Molly’s Game), Break Up Season is the story of a young man who brings his girlfriend to his rural Oregon hometown to introduce her to his family, only for things to go terribly wrong upon arrival. The film is directed by H. Nelson Tracey. Watch the trailer here.
Anxiety Club – Wendy Lobel’s documentary explores the experience of anxiety through the eyes of comedians and explores their efforts to overcome their angst in this funny, deep and hopeful film. Featuring comedians Marc Maron, Mark Normand, Aparna Nancherla and more.
The Fetch – Following the death of his only son, a grieving father is haunted by a terrifying demon known in Irish folklore as the Fetch. The film stars Aleksa Palladino (The Penguin, Boardwalk Empire) and Robert Longstreet (Midnight Mass, Take Shelter) and Logan Donovan (Magnum P.I., Mr. Mercedes). The Fetch is directed by J.C. Doler and written by Doler, Taylor Bracewell and Chris Alan Evans. Watch the trailer here.
Max Dagan – Trying to get his dying father out of prison with a compassionate release, Max Dagan needs the help of the daughter of the man his father killed. The film is directed by Terre Weisman and stars Michael Madsen (Kill Bill, Reservoir Dogs), Rob Morrow (Billions, Northern Exposure) and Zachary Gordon (Dreamcatcher, Diary of a Wimpy Kid).
Short films will screen throughout the week in various blocks.
The Arkansas Shorts Block includes:
“Carving” by Russell Sharman & Laura Shatkus
“The Fundamentals” by Kyle Yazzie
“Generational” by Jen Gerber
“Greed” by Paula Blanco Perez
“Little Bit” by Raeden Greer
“Show Pub Queen” by Ren Tsukamoto & produced by Smackover native Javion Lee
“Smoothie” by Chris Churchill
“Stitches” by Madison Roy
“Tippi & Barb” by Brad Burleson
“Two of a Kind” by Skylar Nelson
“Where Is It?” by Brady C Ness
Louisiana Film Prize Top Five Block! EDFF is also connecting with filmmakers south of the state line with the Louisiana Film Prize Top Five. These films are: “Sex Date” (Winner), “Most Likely to Succeed”, “Napoleonic Code,” “Toots” and “Three Sessions” (directed by El Dorado native Erica Michelle Singleton and starring El Dorado native Moriah Hicks, who won for Best Performance at LA Film Prize).
Tamra Corley Davis, chair of the film committee, is proud to once again partner with the Louisiana Film Prize to bring the regional filmmaking community closer.
“Our partnership with the Louisiana Film Prize is one that Alexander and I have been fortunate to see continue to grow each year, and the slate of films that came from the 2024 Prize Fest has something for everyone!” she said. “We love our Prize family of filmmakers and are excited to showcase the Top 5 films, including the winner of the $50,000 top prize, during programming on Thursday. The Louisiana Film Prize and the Shreveport film community is a family that we at the El Dorado Film Festival are proud to be a part of. After the Prize Short Block we will be screening The Fetch, a feature film that premiered during the Austin Film Festival. The Fetch began as a short film, Hangman, for the Louisiana Film Prize in 2016 and was developed into the feature film you can see Thursday night.”
The Southern Made Film Block includes “The Artiste,” “Connected,” “The Heart of Texas,” “Love Is Neat,” “Miniature Life,” “Titty Boy,” “The Stage” (directed by Junction City native Jeremy Enis) and “Fast” (directed by Smackover native Clayton Henderson).
Other short films include “Canary,” “The Captives,” “The Chain,” “Deliberate,” “Detox,” “Donor,” “Dinosauria, We,” “Draft Night,” “Help Is…On the Way?,” “Not Afraid,” “The Owl,” “The River,” “Saint Christopher,” “Start Them Young,” “Tandem,” “They Call Me the Tattoo Witch” and “Pasture Prime” (which premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival).
Cash awards are given to the winners in the categories of: Best of Fest ($1,500), Pam Callaway Spirit of the Festival Award ($1,000), Best Narrative Feature ($500), Best Documentary ($500), Best Short Drama ($500), Best Short Comedy ($500), Best Arkansas Short ($500) and Best Southern Made Short ($500).
2025 El Dorado Film Festival February 26 – March 2
OPENING NIGHT Celebration Individual Ticket • $50
Amos Cochran performs live on stage, Sponsor Reception, “Fright Night” viewing with Bill Ragsdale with Q&A to follow on Wednesday Night
All Access VIP Festival 5-Day Pass • $150
includes Opening Night, Films, Workshops, Panels, Parties, Swag Bag, VIP Lounge, Awards Ceremony
Wednesday thru Sunday
3-Day Festival Film Pass • $75
All Film Showings, Workshops & Panels on Thursday thru Saturday
Individual Day Passes • $30
Film Showings, Workshops & Panels of the Day on Thursday, Friday or Saturday
Student Day Pass • $5
Film Showings, Workshops & Panels of the Day on Thursday, Friday or Saturday
Awards Ceremony
Sunday Event included with Filmmaker and VIP Festival Passes