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Film Festival generates 260K impact, record attendance for Fort Smith event

Fort Smith, ARLocal News

The 2025 Fort Smith International Film Festival generated an estimated $260,000 in economic impact and attracted a record 1,083 attendees, surpassing the previous year’s total of 800. Executive Director Brandon Chase Goldsmith credited innovative programming and partnerships for the festival's success, which included film screenings at local venues and community-oriented events. The festival featured 160 films from over 30 countries, with nearly 45% produced in Arkansas or Oklahoma, highlighting the region's growing creative influence. River Valley Film Society President Lynn Wasson announced the launch of Border Town Live, which aims to expand year-round programming with Broadway shows and concerts. The debut season in April included popular performances like “R.

E. S. P. E. C.

T. ” and “Sesame Street Live. ” The awards ceremony celebrated filmmakers, with “Surviving the Spectrum” winning both Best Overall Film and Best Short Documentary. Greenwood Mayor Doug Kinslow presented Goldsmith with a key to the city, proclaiming Aug. 10, 2025, as “Brandon Chase Goldsmith Day.

” The festival's impact underscores the importance of cultural initiatives in stimulating local economies.

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