Jonesboro, AR — (JonesboroRightNow.com) — March 28, 2025 — Film enthusiasts will get to experience several film workshops and screenings during the Foundation of Arts’ (FOA) third annual Oasis Film and Digital Media Festival.
The festival will be April 11-13 at the FOA Forum Theater, located at 115 East Monroe Ave. in downtown Jonesboro.
This event will offer free, hands-on workshops from industry pros, panels with question-and-answer sessions, and screenings of films made by northeast Arkansas filmmakers.
“All of our screenings will take place at The Forum and our workshops will either be there or we have a secondary facility right across the street, but we have volunteers to help guide people,” said festival director Lorenzo Balderas.
People wanting to guarantee their spot in a particular workshop are encouraged to register ahead of time, Balderas said. However, he added that if there is room in a workshop, some walk-ups will be allowed. Click here to register.
The festival was founded to highlight filmmakers in northeast Arkansas, with a particular focus on elevating student talent. However, the festival aims to share films from all over the state and the world.
“Our primary focus is films made in this part of Arkansas and Arkansas in general, we are showcasing stuff from creators from California, from Germany, and all over,” Balderas said. “We’ve got some really interesting stuff. There’s just something special about being in a theater and watching something together with other people. It’s a magical experience and we want to cultivate that here and in our part of the state.”
Additionally, there will be a free outdoor movie night viewing of “Twisters” on April 11 at 7:30 p.m. at Rotary Centennial Plaza, 355 S. Church St. in downtown Jonesboro next to the Forum Theater.
This viewing will be followed by a tornado panel with the Region 8 Storm Team, including chief meteorologist Ryan Vaughan. The panel will explain what Hollywood gets right and wrong about storm prediction and safety. Plus, participants will hear how visual effects create realistic storms from guest speaker Jordan Rice, technical director at Outpost VFX in London. They can also register their storm shelter with the City of Jonesboro and enter to win a NOAA weather radio in a raffle.
There are several free workshops to choose from, including:
Ready on ACTION: Nailing the On-Camera Audition with actress and audition coach Mary Hollis Inboden on April 11 from 5:30-7:30 p.m., where participants will learn about nailing their next on-camera audition.
Acting (a two-part workshop) with actress, acting coach, author and Jonesboro native Jo Rae on April 12 and April 13 from 9-10:30 a.m. These actor workshops introduce students to a professional Hollywood-style acting experience.
Special Effects Makeup with special effects artist Sahlah Tepes on April 12 from 10:30 a.m. until noon, where Tepes will guide participants through the techniques, tools, and creativity required to bring their wildest visions to life on screen.
Exploring the VFX Pipeline with technical director at Outpost VFX in London Jordan Rice on April 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:40 p.m., where Rice will break down the many roles that make movie magic happen and sharing his own journey from runner to technical director.
The Secrets of Crafting Props with cinematic prop designer, actor, stunt double and producer Scott Baney on April 12 from 1-2 p.m., where participants will explore the art of prop making and learn how to turn everyday materials into iconic movie props.
The Art of Visual Storytelling in Film with filmmaker, cinematographer, author, director and University of Central Arkansas professor Chris Churchill on April 12 from 2:30-3:30 p.m. Participants will explore visual storytelling through cinematic storytelling techniques, including shot composition, negative and positive space, continuity, color, and camera movement.
Lighting for Film with commercial photographer and video director Matthew Walton on April 12 from 3-4:30 p.m., where participants will explore different lighting techniques.
Acting on Stage Verses on Screen with Arkansas actor and director Haulston Mann on April 12 from 4:30-5:30 p.m., where participants will discuss the differences between telling stories on stage vs. on screen and what the job of the actor is working within each medium. Participants will work on a scene for both a theatrical setting and an indie film setting.
Planning and Setiquette 101 (a two-part workshop) with writer, director, producer, and filmmaker Jennifer Gerber, who is currently the film program director for Loki Arts in Hot Springs, on April 12 from 5:30-7 p.m. and April 13 from 10:30 until noon. These workshops will explore why pre-production is essential as well as on-set protocols and running an efficient set.
Why Do We Love Horror with behavioral scientist, author and horror producer Coltan Scrivner, who is also the executive director of the Nightmare in the Ozarks Film Festival in Eureka Springs, on April 12 from 7-8 p.m. During this workshop, participants will learn why audiences gravitate toward horror movies using iconic horror characters.
While workshops are free, film screenings will be $20 for a two-day pass, $25 for an all-access pass, which is $15 for students. Film screenings will be run in blocks and are scheduled to run as follows:
Block #1: Saturday, April 12, at 10 a.m.
- “The Dream Factory” – Jiyoon Oh, Hyojin Shim
- “Bear, His Quilt, and Everything Else” – Monica Yoo, Sabrina Joa
- “Open Mind Open Heart” – Avery Pendleton
- “Memory Lane” – Seogene Lee, Karizma Francis, Doris Huang
- “Hair For You” – Michelle Marakasherry, Tien Pham, Jihye JJ Kim
- “Aquí” – Anabella Gonzalez
- “Demi-Demons” – Martin Gerigk
- “The New Adventures of Pinkus the Pink Elephant: the Ruins Within” – Matt E. Ball
Express Yourself Student Block: Saturday, April 12, at 11:30 a.m.
- “Bloody Valentine”
- “Every Breath You Take”
- “Rake”
- “Only in Theaters”
- “Untitled”
Block #2: Saturday, April 12 at noon
- “The Fight” – Garrett Brenneman
- “The Red Market” – Christopher Matthew Spencer
- “Loudmouth” – Jen Nobles
- “That’s My House” – Clint Till
- “Aluminum Man” – Colby Thompson
Block #3: Saturday, April 12, at 1 p.m.
- “The Philosophizer” – Justin Ryan Green
- “K9” – Will Reed
- “Until the Moon” – Emma Jean Howard
Block #4: Saturday, April 12, at 3 p.m.
- “Holier Than Thou” – Christopher Carver
- “Doom & Despair” – Jonathan Childs
- “Tippi & Barb” – Brad Burleson
Block #5: Saturday, April 12, at 4 p.m.
- “SMILING FACES: – Jacob Osborn
- “Standing On the Edge” – Garrett Brenneman
- “Torii” – Martin Gerigk
Block #6: Saturday, April 12, at 5 p.m.
- “Container” – Jay Yarbrough
- “Bee Bold” – Jen Nobles
- “Feliz Fall, Witches!”
- “Drew Pulliam: January Music Video” – Tyler Morgan, Lee Kelley
- “The Fundamentals” – Kyle Yazzie
Block #7: Saturday, April 12, at 6 p.m.
- “Monstrosity: From Dunks to Trucks” – Colby Thompson
- “Enter the Room” – Harry Waldman
- “Fast” – Clayton Henderson
In addition, there will be a screening of horror film “The Fetch,” which will take place at the Forum Theater Saturday, April 12 at 8 p.m. A question-and-answer session will follow. This screening costs $10 and is included in the price of all-access passes.
Block #8: Sunday, April 13 at 9 a.m.
- “The Forest Through the Trees” – Jason Pitts
An award ceremony will be held on Sunday at noon.