Jonesboro, AR – JonesboroRightNow.com – Filmmakers and film enthusiasts alike are encouraged to flock to downtown Jonesboro for the annual Porchlight Film Festival set for April.
The three-day festival includes film workshops, film screenings by local filmmakers, and more, seeking to uplift and support student filmmakers. It was formerly known as the Oasis Film and Digital Media Festival before rebranding to Porchlight in August 2025.
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“Ultimately, we’re just trying to give an opportunity for students or amateur filmmakers, whoever, in the area to have a way to represent their stories and to really kind of connect that group in this part of the state,” said Lorenzo Balderas, festival director. “We really try to push and emphasize student filmmaking, because we feel like if we can give them a platform, they’ll be more willing to kind of grow and do more with it.”
“Ultimately, we’re just trying to give an opportunity for students or amateur filmmakers, whoever, in the area to have a way to represent their stories and to really kind of connect that group in this part of the state.” – Lorenzo Balderas
Thirty-five films, including short films, documentaries, narratives, and some experimental animation, made by filmmakers of all experience levels, will be shown during the festival.
The deadline to submit a film for this year’s festival has passed; however, Balderas said submissions for the 2027 festival will open in July or August.
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Tickets can be purchased for an individual screening of a movie, which are $5. Alternatively, all-access weekend passes can be purchased for $20. Tickets can be purchased online here or at the door during the festival.
However, festival-goers can do more than watch films at Porchlight. The event will have free workshops where participants can learn about various aspects of moviemaking, from set design, prop making, visual storytelling, film makeup, and more.
“We’ve been really lucky to connect with some great people all over the state to bring some really cool workshops here. We’re not doing as many this year, we have fewer, but we’re letting them go longer, so there’s more opportunity to do a little bit more,” Balderas said.
A full schedule for the festival can be found below:
Additionally, to kick off the festival on its first night, event organizers will be hosting a free block party, with plans to feature a DJ, games, food vendors, and an outdoor movie screening.
Balderas said having an event like Porchlight, especially for student filmmakers, helps them connect with one another and realize their potential.
“When you live in a place like Arkansas, you know, typically when you think ‘movies,’ you think Hollywood, you think New York, whatever. But being able to connect with people at a local level and see how they are telling those stories, without having to travel very far, without having super expensive equipment, I think it makes it feel more attainable,” Balderas said.
All films and workshops will be held in and around the Forum Theater, located at 115 E. Monroe Ave. The Porchlight Film Festival will take place April 10-12. More information about the festival can be found here.
“There’s really nothing like experiencing a film in a theater with people,” Balderas said. “Having that intimacy of sharing and watching something, I think, is just a really cool experience.”
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