The Arkansas Cinema Society is the recipient of a grant from the Windgate Foundation to support year-round educational programs and workshops during Filmland, August 15-18, 2024, at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts. 

 

“We are deeply grateful to the Windgate Foundation for their continued support of our educational programs,” ACS Executive Director Kathryn Tucker said. “Their funding has enabled us to continue our filmmaking workshops, labs, and classes, providing hands-on education from industry professionals to aspiring filmmakers of all ages in Arkansas. This kind of local access is vital to demystifying the vast number of diverse careers in filmmaking and to help build a sustainable film economy of skilled, employed creatives. Our continued partnership with the Windgate Foundation has empowered us to foster and showcase the incredible talent found within our state, and we are profoundly thankful for their commitment to the arts in Arkansas.”

 

Each year, dozens of films are shot in Arkansas, highlighting the need to expand the crew base to support more and larger productions. The film industry has already created thousands of jobs in our state, employing a diverse range of creatives from various economic backgrounds. 

 

Notably, direct film industry professionals earn an average salary that is 53% higher than the national average. Nationally, the film industry employs more people than mining, oil and natural gas extraction, crop production, utility system construction, and rental and leasing services.

 

The Windgate grant will support seminars and hands-on workshops year-round and during Filmland, covering essential film professions and skills, such as directing, lighting equipment basics, cinematography, screenwriting, and marketing. 

 

Other ACS educational programs include the annual Filmmaking Lab for Teen Girls, the co-ed Spring Break Teen Film Lab and ACS Night School at AMFA. ACS also collaborated with the University of Arkansas for workshops and filmmaker forums. 

 

Over the past three years, hundreds of participants have learned from industry professionals including Jeff Nichols, David Arquette, Neil LaBute, and Mark Irwin, as well as regional crew and filmmakers. This year’s educational offerings at Filmland will be announced soon.