Director: Erika Cohn
Producers: Christine O'Malley and Matt Radecki

Thursday, October 15 at 9AM
at the Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa

Sign up here.

Film Synopsis:
In the small town of Brooklet, Georgia, home of the annual Peanut Festival, the Southeast Bulloch High School Girls Flag Football team, led by Coach Marci Cochran and her Assistant Coach/husband Nick, is chasing perfection with an astounding 62-0 record. As fierce rivals aim to dethrone the three-time state champions, these young athletes unite to defend their legacy in one of America’s fastest-growing sports. Can they stay undefeated, or will the weight of expectation finally break their streak?

Erika, Christine, Matt, and film participant Kelsey Johnson will participate in a Q&A following the screening.

Thursday, October 15th, 11:30 AM
Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa

The Emerging Filmmakers Program, a long-standing partnership between HSDFF and Arkansas TV, is one of our most cherished educational initiatives. This full-day experience welcomes middle and high school students from across the state to engage in thought-provoking screenings, interactive Q&A sessions, and hands-on workshops. Designed to immerse young storytellers in the craft of documentary filmmaking, the program features guidance from award-winning filmmakers and top industry professionals. Since its inception, the program has welcomed hundreds of students from more than 30 schools.

Sign up here.

PART 1: Screening of The Baddest Speechwriter of All directed by Ben Proudfoot and Stephen Curry followed by Q&A and conversation with Ben

For more information contact Deb Fuller at deb@hsdfi.org and Casey Sanders at csanders@arkansastv.gov

Part 2: PITCH SESSION: Thursday, October 15 during the Emerging Filmmakers Workshop
Have a documentary idea? Pitch it live and get feedback from Ben Proudfoot, Erika Cohn, Matt Radecki and Kelsey Johnson. Come ready to share your story idea—no finished film required. We are looking for students who would like to pitch a film project or idea. Projects may be fiction or nonfiction -- and at any stage: from conception to completion.

Students will walk away knowing how to:
-Find the heart of their story and say it in one sentence.
-Hook an audience in the first 30 seconds.
-Pitch with confidence, even if public speaking makes them nervous

If you think you may have students interested in participating, be sure to indicate such when registering. We will follow up with more information/criteria.

For more information contact Deb Fuller at deb@hsdfi.org and Casey Sanders at csanders@arkansastv.gov.

The Emerging Filmmakers Program, a long-standing partnership between HSDFF and Arkansas TV, is one of our most cherished educational initiatives. This full-day experience welcomes middle and high school students from across the state to engage in thought-provoking screenings, interactive Q&A sessions, and hands-on workshops. Designed to immerse young storytellers in the craft of documentary filmmaking, the program features guidance from award-winning filmmakers and top industry professionals. Since its inception, the program has welcomed hundreds of students from more than 30 schools.

While the festival’s 9 days of programming includes a robust lineup of films that attract and engage audiences from throughout Arkansas and the region, the commitment to our student outreach programs is central to our core mission. It represents the very heart and soul of the festival. HSDFF seeks to use our student outreach programs, and our unique access to filmmakers and high-quality films, to supplement and enhance school arts programs for as many students as possible.

There is no more thrilling moment at HSDFF than when the school buses roll up and hundreds of eager students enter our festival doors. The most significant way we reach students is by curating a selection of outstanding films specifically geared towards students and by bringing in filmmakers and, whenever possible, those featured in the films, to connect directly with students. Every year, we take great pride in choosing films and guests that we feel confident will create those magic educational moments and transformative experiences for students.

Every year, we arrange with local schools to bring visiting filmmakers and guests directly into the schools. Whether a school-wide assembly or a more intimate classroom setting, taking the festival on the road to local schools is one of our most impactful programs.