LATEST NEWS

From Ken Jacobson: Remembering Sylvia Bugg

On Sunday evening July 19th, I was enjoying the last couple of hours of the weekend when I heard the news that Sylvia Bugg had passed away unexpectedly over the weekend. Sylvia was the head of programming at PBS. Her actual title was Chief Programming Executive and General Manager for General Audience Programming – and […]

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The 35th HSDFF Official Poster is Here!

We’re thrilled to unveil the 2026 Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival poster. Designed by Sonny Kay, a longtime friend of the festival and former Executive Director of Hot Springs’ Low Key Arts, this year’s poster is in keeping with our desire to look back over our rich 35-year history, as well as the history of […]

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THANK YOU

TO OUR 2026 SPONSORS

MISSION & VISION

Hot Springs Documentary Film Institute champions non-fiction storytelling by providing a platform for storytellers to entertain, educate and broaden perspectives.

The Institute engages audience members with impactful cinematic experiences through an annual festival and year-round programming. Located in scenic Hot Springs National Park, the nation’s first resort town, HSDFI aims to create a supportive, holistic haven for filmmakers and audiences to regenerate and celebrate their love of documentaries.

Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival Staff
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