Fort Smith International Film Festival Honors Top Films and Local Voices

The 2025 Fort Smith International Film Festival dazzled movie lovers, filmmakers, and community members this past weekend with a celebration of global storytelling, local talent, and cultural diversity. Hosted in the heart of historic downtown Fort Smith, the multi-day event featured screenings, panels, live music, and unforgettable networking moments that brought together a dynamic range of voices from across Arkansas and beyond.

From compelling narratives to visually stunning animations, the festival presented a curated mix of films that touched on important theme, from neurodiversity and identity to indigenous heritage and social justice. With attendees hailing from across the U.S. and around the world, this year’s festival solidified its growing reputation as a regional hub for independent cinema.

🏆 Fort Smith International Film Festival Award Winners 2025

🎞️ Top Awards

• Best Overall Film: Surviving the Spectrum

• Best Overall Short Film: The Pretty

🌍 Regional & Cultural Excellence

• Fort Smith Proud: Club Kinkeads

• Best of River Valley: Dunklin

• Best Arkansas Film: The Mirror

• Best MidAmerica Film: Just the Janitor

🌐 International & Cultural Diversity

• Best International Short Film: Amplified

• Best People of Color Film: Colbert: All Students Can Learn

• Best Indigenous Film: Keepers of the Coastline

• Best LGBTQ Short Film: The Ball

🎥 Genre & Format Winners

• Best Feature Documentary: Susan

• Best Short Documentary: Surviving the Spectrum

• Best College Short Film: Submerged

• Best Animation: In Half

• Best Music Video: Blood on Your Lips

• Best Episodic: Space Station Village

• Best Narrative Feature: Delta County

• Best Thriller Film: Palate Cleanser

• Best Alumni Film: Drowned Land

🌟 Fort Smith International Film Festival 2025 Top Screeners

These dedicated individuals helped review hundreds of submissions to make the festival a success:

• Ronald Nichols

• Melissa Woodall

• Rain Story

• Marilyn Knapp

• Patrick Conrad

• Lisa Jan-Bohne’Clay

• Crissie McBride

🏅 Special Recognition: Brandon Goldsmith Honored

During the awards ceremony, Dr. Brandon Chase Goldsmith, founder and director of the Fort Smith International Film Festival, was honored for his visionary leadership and continued impact on the arts community.

He was presented with a Special Recognition Award in appreciation of his dedication to building a platform where local and international stories can flourish side by side. Goldsmith’s efforts have not only grown the festival year over year, but have also empowered emerging talent from across the River Valley and beyond.

His work has helped solidify Fort Smith as a rising creative hub in the Mid-South—and this year’s turnout proved just how far the festival’s influence now reaches.

Congratulations to all those who submitted their work!

Fort Smith International Film Festival Gallery

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Proud Media Sponsors of the Fort Smith River Valley Film Festival