SAAC invites you to celebrate the holiday spirit early with a special “Christmas in July” event on Thursday, July 24 featuring a free screening of the heartwarming family film “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” sponsored by The El Dorado Film Festival and with licensing rights from Kingdom Story Company. Two showings of the film to choose from, 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
This free event serves as a festive promotional kick-off for SAAC’s upcoming winter theatre production of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.” As this will be a family-friendly event, all guests under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older—no drop-offs will be permitted. Adult supervision is required. Reserved your seats on the form below.
The film, based on the beloved book by Barbara Robinson, follows the chaotic and hilarious journey of the six notorious Herdman siblings—Imogene, Ralph, Claude, Leroy, Ollie, and Gladys—as they hijack a small town’s traditional Christmas pageant. Known for their cigar-smoking, store-looting, and general mayhem, the Herdmans are the last kids anyone expected to see in a church play. But when they take on the nativity roles with surprising sincerity, the community witnesses a raw and moving retelling of the Christmas story—complete with a ham as the Wise Men’s gift and a tearful Imogene as Mary.
Featuring standout performances by Judy Greer and Pete Holmes, the film turns a classic tale on its head, revealing how even the most unlikely among us can find redemption, community, and meaning in the Christmas story.
“The ElDorado Film Festival is proudly offering our support and collaboration with SAAC to bring a Christmas in July movie event for our community! In celebration of SAACs 2025 holiday theater production of ‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever’, we will be screening the 2024 film adaptation of the same name to bring a little Christmas cheer during the heat of summer. The EDFF has always been a champion of bringing independent film and filmmakers together just as SAAC is always looking for ways to bring in more of our community and make sure everyone feels loved and accepted. This screening is a great opportunity to showcase everything we are working towards for the community,” stated El Dorado Film Festival Chairperson Tamra Corley Davis
This festive screening is more than just a movie—it’s a celebration of community, creativity, and inclusion. All are welcome at the South Arkansas Arts Center, and events like these reflect our ongoing commitment to offer programming that uplifts and connects our diverse region.
SAAC is grateful for the support that made this free event possible, with special thanks to Kingdom Story Company for generously providing licensing rights to show the movie, and The El Dorado Film Festival for sponsoring the event. The El Dorado Film Festival would like to extend a deep appreciation to the SAAC Film Committee, SAAC Membership Committee, and SAAC staff: Laura Allen, John Lowery, Mike Means, Sarah Hatley, Ronnie Bluford, and a special shout-out to Colleen Means for her outstanding effort in bringing this event to life.
Join us at SAAC this July 24 and discover how one chaotic group of kids turned the worst pageant ever… into the best one yet. To support events like this one and to help foster creative opportunities in South Arkansas, become a SAAC member today. Call 870-862-5474 for more information. SAAC is located at 110 East 5th Street, El Dorado, AR 71730.