News – 35th Annual Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival

HSDFF Announces Acclaimed filmmaker Penny Lane’s Wild Inside as Opening Night Film

The Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival (October 9-17) announced acclaimed filmmaker Penny Lane’s Wild Inside will open the highly anticipated 35^th edition of the film festival on Friday, October 9 at the Oaklawn Events Center in Hot Springs. Film participants and wildlife photographers Jacqueline Emery and David Lei will be on hand to discuss the story of Flaco, the Eurasian eagle-owl who escaped an enclosure in the Central Park Zoo and became a New York celebrity. The film’s gala screening will be the centerpiece of the festival’s new partnership with the upcoming Birding Festival of the South.

The Birding Festival of the South, sponsored by Oaklawn and held at the Hot Springs Convention Center, is a celebration of the fall bird migration. The festival hosts guided experiences, hands-on workshops, live music, and family-friendly activities designed for new and experienced birders alike.

BUY TICKET PACKAGES AND PASSES

“HSDFF is delighted to share Wild Inside as the Opening Night film of our 35^th Annual Festival,” says Ken Jacobson, Executive Director of the Hot Springs Documentary Film Institute. “Penny Lane’s remarkable film about Flaco the owl is the year’s soaring documentary achievement: a deeply moving, gorgeous, and thought-provoking story that makes us rethink the fragile relationship between humans and the animals that live among us. It’s the perfect event to kick off our partnership with The Birding Festival of the South.”

Wild Inside, Penny Lane’s enthralling real-life fairy tale, tells the story of Flaco, a Eurasian eagle-owl who escaped from a hole cut in his enclosure in NYC’s Central Park Zoo in 2023 and eventually became one of the city’s most beloved inhabitants. Initially, it was feared Flaco couldn’t survive due to not having learned to fly or hunt while in captivity. However, he soon surprised the experts as a quick study with his survival skills, and became one of the city’s favorite sons. The public tracked his every movement across the borough of Manhattan and “adopted” him as one of their own.

Combined ticketing packages are available now, offering bird lovers access to Wild Inside and other HSDFF bird-centric programming. These events include a live owl eagle appearance at The Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa presented by the Little Rock Zoo, a work-in-progress screening of a new documentary about Jackie and Shadow, Big Bear Valley’s most famous bald eagles, and a special bird-related Secret Screening. The programming complements the field trips, panels, and birding activities that will make the Birding Festival of the South an exceptional avian experience.

Special Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival Ticket / Birding Festival of the South Ticket Packages and Passes

Note: Prices are in addition to the $35 Birding Festival pass, which must be purchased to be eligible for these special prices.

Opening Night Movie Only: $20
- Includes opening night movie ticket.
Opening Night Movie + Party: $55
- Includes tickets to opening night movie and Gala party.
HSDFF Birds in Film Pass + Opening Night Movie + Party: $80
- Includes Opening Night movie ticket and Gala party, a live owl and eagle appearance at The Arlington Resort Hotel, & Spa, ticket to a work-in-progress screening of the new documentary Jackie and Shadow about the famous bald eagles of Big Bear Lake, ticket to a bird-related Secret Screening, and access to the Arlington VIP Lounge on Saturday.
HSDFF Birds in Film Pass + Opening Night Movie: $45
- Includes Opening Night movie ticket, a live owl and eagle appearance at The Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa, ticket to work-in-progress screening of Jackie and Shadow ticket to Secret Screening, and access to the Arlington VIP Lounge on Saturday. Does not include Gala party.

The Birding Festival Pass includes:

Official festival laminate, tote bag, metal tumbler, and Birding Festival of the South Field Guide
Access to vendor hall, workshop, panels, keynote speakers, and kids’ activities
“Meet you there” field trips – registration required (capacities may vary) This does not include exclusive field trips.

More information is available by visiting hotsprings.org/events/birding-festival-of-the-south.

Announcements regarding the festival’s lineup, honorees, and guests for the 35^th edition of the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, presented by Oaklawn, will follow in the coming weeks.

BUY TICKET PACKAGES AND PASSES

ABOUT HOT SPRINGS DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL

Each year, with the help of a small staff and over 100 dedicated volunteers, the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival presented by Oaklawn attracts thousands of visitors to this extraordinary 9-day event in scenic Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas. Now in its 35^th year as the longest-running documentary film festival in North America, the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival remains a prominent champion of documentary film. The 2026 edition of the festival takes place on October 9 – 17. For more information on HSDFF, visit: hsdfi.org

ABOUT THE BIRDING FESTIVAL OF THE SOUTH

Taking flight October 8-10, 2026, this inaugural festival will include field trips, live music, keynote speakers, workshops, panels, kids’ activities, arts and crafts, vendors, and more! Located in Hot Springs National Park, the area boasts unmatched birdwatching opportunities among acres of forest, trails, and natural beauty.

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 I’m still not sure how she managed to fit all that on one business card. What that really means is that Sylvia had a lot to do with what I would call “figuring out” (rather than “deciding”) what programs to support and put on the air at PBS.

I say figure out, because anyone who knows anything about public television knows that it is a maze, a puzzle, and a Rubik’s Cube all rolled into one. But that was the beauty of Sylvia Bugg. She was a real person you could talk to within a complex system, who would listen and do her best when it came to finding a home for independent voices on PBS.

I had the opportunity to get to know Sylvia a bit, first when she was an executive at CPB and then later when she joined the executive team at PBS. She was a champion of the series “Southern Storytellers,” directed by our own Craig Renaud and produced by the indefatigable Courtney Pledger. We were thrilled to show an episode of the program at the 2023 HSDFF and have several of the participants, including Mary Steenburgen, here to talk about it.

Sylvia spearheaded PBS’ support of the 2023 and 2024 Filmmaker Forum and came here in person to participate in an on-stage conversation with Courtney at the 2024 Forum. What I had forgotten, until she came here to Hot Springs, is that Sylvia, having grown up in Virgina, is a daughter of the South. She seemed happy to be here.

Left to right: Sylvia Bugg, Wendy Llinas, Becky Magura, Talia Rosen, Courtney Pledger

Sylvia’s death was a shock, but, as is often the case in these situations, the greater shock may have been our own deep feelings, suddenly exposed — raw and vast. As the weeks have passed, shock has been replaced by a growing determination on the part of those who knew her to carry on the legacy of public media in new and important ways.

I’m not sure what’s more important: squeezing out those last few moments of a lazy summer weekend knowing that each precious moment may be our last or focusing on the work required to get things done. But I do know that we need to take notice when one of the “good people” leaves this planet and be thankful for the time we had together.

-Ken

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 documentary film itself.

From the creative font to its centrifugal dynamism, Sonny’s poster takes inspiration from the classic 1929 documentary MAN WITH A MOVIE CAMERA by Dziga Vertov and to one of the movie’s iconic posters made in the irrepressible Constructivist style. We draw strength from the towering artists of the past as we move boldly into the future.

All the Best,
Ken Jacobson
HSDFI Executive Director

HSDFF at Getting Real

Held every two years in Los Angeles, the Getting Real conference produced by the International Documentary Association is an important gathering place for the documentary community and an essential opportunity for the field to reckon with the rapid economic, political, technological, and structural changes that have threatened the livelihood of documentary filmmakers and the funding/distribution models for documentary films worldwide. That said, this year’s Getting Real was both bracing and heartening: Filmmakers and other participants confronted the facts on the ground, shared resources and ideas, and pledged support to make change. The work ahead will be hard, but those who came together felt a common sense of purpose.

Our own HSDFF Filmmaker Forum team of Ashley York and Ken Jacobson participated in Getting Real, sparking ideas for this year’s Forum and connecting with many friends, including the Arkansas born-and-raised filmmaker Andy Sarjahani and producer Farley Ziegler.

Those gathered at Getting Real capped off the conference with a fabulous party marking the 10^th anniversary of the groundbreaking organization A-Doc (Asian American Documentary Network). A-Doc co-founders Grace Lee and S. Leo Chiang (donning the birthday hat) led the crowd in a group singalong of “Happy Birthday.”

Even amidst the hard times, there is still much to celebrate and hold dear.

-Ken

The Mountain Valley ® Spring Water to be Premiere Sponsor of HSDFF

With roots dating back to 1871 in the town of Hot Springs, brand to be featured prominently at one of America’s most important celebrations of documentary storytelling

Hot Springs, AR (July 9, 2026) – The Mountain Valley® Spring Water announced today that it is the Premiere Sponsor of the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, one of the most important art festivals in the region. As the prestigious documentary film festival prepares to celebrate its 35^th edition from October 9 – 17, the premium American water brand is proud to support a platform that offers the best in documentary film, inspiring educational programs, and exposure to internationally acclaimed filmmakers and special guests.

The Mountain Valley® Spring Water will be served at all Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival functions, including at the hospitality suite and all of the Festival’s year-round events.

Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival executive director Ken Jacobson said, “We have always been huge fans of The Mountain Valley Spring Water here at the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival. The distinctive bright green bottle is near-and-dear to our hearts for many reasons, the most important one being that the water inside those bottles comes from right here in the Ouachita Mountains. Second, because of its taste, which is second to none. Having The Mountain Valley join us as our Premiere Sponsor will bring new prestige to the festival and further advances our mission to create a supportive, holistic haven for filmmakers and audiences to regenerate and celebrate their love of documentaries.”

“For more than 150 years, The Mountain Valley Spring Water has been proudly connected to the town of Hot Springs, where our story began and where our water continues to be sourced today,” said Kheri Tillman, Chief Marketing Officer, the Mountain Valley Spring Water and Primo Brands. “As a brand rooted in originality and craftsmanship, we’re honored to support the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, an event that celebrates storytelling and the creative voices that bring important stories to life. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to the community that has shaped our brand for generations.”

Announcements regarding the festival’s lineup, honorees, and guests for the 35^th edition of the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, presented by Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort, will follow in the coming weeks.

ABOUT HOT SPRINGS DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL

Each year, with the help of a small staff and over 100 dedicated volunteers, the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival presented by Oaklawn, attracts thousands of visitors to this extraordinary 9-day event in scenic Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas. Now in its 35^th year as the longest-running documentary film festival in North America, the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival remains a prominent champion of documentary film. The 2026 edition of the festival takes place on October 9 – 17. For more information on HSDFF, visit: hsdfi.org.

ABOUT THE MOUNTAIN VALLEY SPRING WATER

The Mountain Valley®, Spring Water, sourced in Hot Springs, Arkansas, has been free-flowing in America’s heartland for thousands of years. Its sacred source is tucked deep in the wilderness of the Ouachita Mountains, where we’ve bottled the water in glass – to preserve its award-winning taste – since 1871. Learn more at www.mountainvalleyspring.com, and follow us on Instagram, @mountainvalleywater.

FILMS ANNOUNCED: Doc Films Shorts Program in Hot Springs

We had a blast combing through the HSDFF archives to come up with the lineup of doc shorts for our America250 finale. For different reasons, each one of these films holds a special place for us.

Dale Capenter’s poignant Arkansas-based Little League epic A Long Season does a masterful
job of not only evoking America’s pastime and the endless days of summer, but also a tender
relationship between father and son.

Eric Frith and Sherman Alexie’s witty 49? takes us to the streets of Seattle for a vox pop
perspective on a Native American art form that few can identify by name or source, but which
resonates deeply with so many.

The spare Solo, Piano gives us a fly on the wall perspective on a piano left alone on a New York
sidewalk, begging the thoroughly cinematic question, “What happens next?”

A skate park in Any Town, USA is given a pink makeover in Gnarly in Pink, this delightful story of three girl skateboarders who shred bowls and stereotypes in equal measure.

10 years before his 2026 Oscar-winning short All the Empty Rooms, Joshua Seftel brought us Zain’s Summer, the poignant story of Zain and his family, who fled Pakistan to make a new life here in America.

Quilted Education is Kayla Robinson’s lovely story about her mom Karen’s creative response to
the lack of Black history being taught in Texas schools by literally taking matters into her own
hands.

In their toe-tapping and intimate Stud Country, Lina Abascal & Alexandra Kern invite us into the largest queer country western line dancing event in America and tell a tale both specific and universal.

Last but not least, Courtney Dixon’s inspiring and sobering The Changebaker introduces us to the commitment, struggles and huge heart of Manolo Betancur, who uses his bakery in North Carolina for good — for his workers and for people everywhere who are in need — and to nourish our still evolving American soul.

Happy 250th, America!

The Lineup:
A LONG SEASON (25 min) – 1996 HSDFF
Director: Dale Carpenter

49? (5 min) – 2004 HSDFF
Directors: Eric Frith & Sherman Alexie

SOLO, PIANO (5 min) – 2012 HSDFF
Director: Anthony Sherin

GNARLY IN PINK (8 min) – 2014 HSDFF
Directors: Kristelle Laroche & Benjamin Mullinkosson

ZAIN’S SUMMER (13 min) – 2016 HSDFF
Director: Joshua Seftel

QUILTED EDUCATION (10 min) – 2023 HSDFF
Director: Kayla Robinson

STUD COUNTRY (11 min) – 2024 HSDFF
Directors: Lina Abascal & Alexandra Kern

THE CHANGEBAKER (16 min) – 2025 HSDFF
Director: Courtney Dixon

Two Free Screenings for America’s 250th

I’ll admit it. I’ve seen about a zillion t-shirts, hats, sweatshirts, bumper stickers, etc. sporting the distinctive red Arkansas Razorback (he? she?) of our flagship University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. But up till now, I have never actually been to Fayetteville. That all ends this week with our screening of one of my favorite docs of recent memory, the wittily titled “Rebel With a Clause” directed by Brandt Johnson and starting Ellen Jovin. On Saturday, June 27th at 1:00 PM, we will be screening the film at the Fayetteville Public Library — by all accounts, one of the most spectacular libraries in the country. Come early and stop by the Grammar Table, where Ellen will be holding court, from 11:30 AM till the movie starts.

We screened the film last May as the featured event at our annual Tulsa Hot Doks and Brandt and Ellen were the hit of Tulsa. As fond as we are of Tulsa, we couldn’t let our own Natural State feel left out, so we made the pitch to Brandt and Ellen to bring the show to Fayetteville as part of our America250 screening series across the state of Arkansas… and, to our delight, they agreed!

We love this fit with America250 because the film is a joyful, bumpy road trip across all 50 states that bridges gaps through a shared love of grammar and languageAnd, also, because it finds a lot of humor along the way. So, whaddya say? Pack up family, stock up on snacks and make your own road trip to Fayetteville. Nothing is more American than that. Go Hogs!

And before the dust settles from Fayetteville, we’ve got another great free event happening right here in Hot Springs! On Tues. June 30 th at 7:00 PM for our fourth and final America250 event, at the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences & the Arts, we will be hosting a special 35 years of HSDFF short film retrospective celebrating all things America.

We’ve combed through four decades of program guides to find some real gems for you. It’s another great trip across the U.S. with cinematic stops in Seattle, California, Texas, Arkansas, North Carolina, and New York City. It’s a diverse range of stories and people, all striving for that elusive dream: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Lucky for you that pursuit is easy, as ASMSA offers plenty of parking…and free popcorn and sweet tea!

Both of these events are free! Don’t forget to register, though.

REBEL WITH A CLAUSE Registration

DOC SHORTS FILM PROGRAM Registration

See you in Fayetteville / See you in Hot Springs!

With affection,
Ken

Ken Jacobson’s Reflections on COOKIE QUEENS

I was at my doctor’s office the other week for my “annual” checkup, and he was looking over my blood test results. He looked up and shot me a sidelong glance: “Do you have a sweet tooth?” My response was something like, “Er, um, well… yes!” The fact is, I love baked goods and the bakeries that create them. Whether at home or traveling, I always seek out the best that local bakeries and cafes have to offer. Speaking of which…

We are absolutely thrilled to be partnering with Circle Cinema in Tulsa on the 3rd annual Tulsa Hot Doks for a special screening of the new documentary Cookie Queens, about an amazing group of young women who are hellbent on selling a whole lot of Girl Scout Cookies®. There aren’t nearly enough films out there that showcase the talents, wisdom, ambitions, humor, insights and flat-out awesomeness of girls/young women and the value of sisterhood.

Cookie Queens, directed by Alysa Nahmias, does all that and more in this standout doc from Sundance 2026.

Plus, wonderful news! One of the stars of the film, Girl Scout Shannon Elizabeth, and her mom Amanda will be joining us at the screening from El Paso, along with the film’s cinematographer Antonio Cisneros. We know that this trio will bring the house down.

But wait! There’s more! The fabulous Antoinette Bakery & Café in Tulsa is baking up a special batch of free cookies based on the original Girl Scout Cookie recipe that was created by the Muskogee’s Mistletoe Troop in 1917. Yep, less than an hour’s drive south of Tulsa!

Cookies will be handed out, on a first come, first served basis to those attending the screening.

If you are anything like me, the happiest word combination in the English language is “free cookies.” I discovered Antionette Bakery when I traveled to Tulsa for our first Tulsa Hot Doks and fell deeply, madly in love. (I’m talking to you, chocolate covered marshmallow thing.)

I have already heard of 3 sets of folks planning to make the pilgrimage to Tulsa from all points Arkansas for this special event. We would love to see more of you come along. Buy your tickets at the link here.

And show up early. Those cookies won’t last long!

See you in Tulsa!

With confection,
Ken

Ken Jacobson’s Reflections on HSDFF’s America250 Series, Set to Kick Off Thursday April 23 at UAPB

NOTE:

We have several seats left in our 15-seat shuttle leaving from Hot Springs to attend the event at UAPB. If you would like to reserve a spot, please email ken@hsdfi.org as soon as possible.

SPECIAL UAPB PASS OFFER:

For all those attending the UAPB event, we are offering a ONE-TIME PASS SALE of $297 for our All Access Pass and $175 for our Film Buff passes for the 2026 HSDFF on Oct. 9 – 17. (Over $125 discount on All Access and $75 discount on Film Buff.) You must be present to receive the special QR discount code.

One of the things about writing grants for a nonprofit organization is that, because grant deadlines often come well in advance of the programs for which you are seeking support, you have to bring a certain amount of imagination to the process. What programs do I envision putting on a year or more from now? What themes and topics might be resonant with audiences? Who are the partners that I might like to approach as co-presenters? The process is a useful one because it forces you to think beyond the day-to-day realities of the organization to dream about where you might be headed — and why.

Thankfully, when I applied for National Endowment for the Arts support back in 2025, the NEA itself provided a couple of very useful guideposts. First, they were keen to accept proposals from organizations seeking with their programs to celebrate America’s 250^th anniversary and the Declaration of Independence. That was a relative no-brainer for me, as I loved the idea of marking our nation’s anniversary in some way, using the medium of documentary storytelling as the vehicle for doing so.

Thus, we proposed a documentary screening series to be held throughout the state of Arkansas from April through July. And, now with generous support from the NEA, that series kicks off on April 23^rd with the launch of our America250 celebration at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. On that evening, we are partnering with the University and Hot Springs’ own Gateway Community Association to put on the UAPB Film Festival, plus The Baddest Speechwriter of All, a new short documentary directed by two-time Oscar-winner and HSDFF alum Ben Proudfoot and basketball icon Stephen Curry.

In a nice bit of overlapping priorities, the NEA was encouraging its grantees to partner with HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) just as I was thinking of ways to team up with the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, a 153-year-old 1890 Land-Grant HBCU. UAPB is the oldest HBCU in Arkansas and the only one that is a public university.

We benefitted from more good timing when it turned out that UAPB was planning to hold its annual UAPB Film Festival at the same time that we were proposing a documentary film screening at the university. So, we decided to combine forces. We would curate a special night of films, including new UAPB student-directed films along with a new documentary short to be programmed by HSDFF.

So, what documentary to show? Once again, fate shined upon us. I happened to see Ben Proudfoot’s sublime new documentary short at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Ben, a two-time Oscar-winner (and HSDFF jury prize winner), has an amazing ability to find remarkable people to profile and a unique creative approach to bring those stories to life. The Baddest Speechwriter of All is the latest proof of that. The film, also directed by Stephen Curry, profiles Dr. Clarence B. Jones, a lawyer, speechwriter and close aide to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Clarence B. Jones at the Lincoln Memorial.

And there we have it — the connective tissue to America250. In 1958, King delivered a stirring commencement address at Arkansas AM&N College, now UAPB. Five years later, in August 1963, Jones would write the first part of the famous “I Have a Dream” speech that King delivered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. In that speech, King said, “When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men — yes, Black men as well as white men — would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

Those words — and even more important — the struggles and achievements of the Civil Rights Movement would help bring the U.S. closer to the ideals that the Founding Fathers signed on to 250 years ago. Now, that’s something to celebrate.

Please join us on Thursday, April 23 at the SJ Parker 1890 Extension Complex auditorium at 2300 L.A. “Prexy” Davis Drive for the kickoff of our America250 series. The event is free, but we encourage registration here.

There will be a reception at 5:00 PM, doors open at 5:30 PM and the program begins at 6:00 PM. We are thrilled to be hosting Tim Johnson, one of the editors of The Baddest Speechwriter of All for a Q&A following the screening of the film.

Special thanks to Mary Hester-Clfton, Director of Communications at UAPB and Randy Kelley, Television Program Manager UAPB TV.

Circle Cinema to Present Girl Scout Cookie Documentary at ‘Tulsa Hot Doks’ on May 16 with Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival

“Tulsa Hot Doks” – a collaboration between the Hot Springs (Ark.) Documentary Film Festival and Circle Cinema of Tulsa – will return for its third year on Saturday, May 16.

The one-day festival will feature the film “Cookie Queens”, a captivating and candid film full of heart that follows four girls ages five to twelve and their families as they navigate the annual whirlwind of selling, striving, and succeeding. The screening will include a Q&A with special guests Shannon Elizabeth (Girl Scout featured in the film), her mother Amanda (featured in the film) and Antonio Cisneros (Director of Photography). “Cookie Queens” has a unique Oklahoma connection, as Girl Scout cookies originated from Muskogee’s Mistletoe Troop in 1917.

The film will begin at 2pm, with extras in the Circle lobby starting at 1pm with sample cookies from Antoinette’s Bakery available while supplies last created from the original 1917 recipe. Guests can also learn more about the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival and local Girl Scout initiatives and opportunities before the film. Tickets are $15 adult, $13 for Circle members or Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival pass holders, and $12 for kids 12 and under. “Cookie Queens” runs 1h31min and is not rated but suitable for general audiences.

“The Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival is one of the longest-running documentary film festivals in North America,” said Brent Ortolani, Executive Director of the Circle Cinema. “The Circle is proud to continue our partnership with this highly regarded festival and bring a preview of their film offerings to Tulsa.”

“In three short years, Tulsa Hot Doks has become one of our most prized annual programming events,” added Ken Jacobson, Executive Director of the Hot Springs Documentary Film Institute. “In partnering with Circle Cinema, we’ve been able to spotlight some special documentaries and bring in a unique roster of film guests. Tulsa Hot Doks has elevated beyond film screening to ‘can’t miss’ special event. We’ve struck gold this year with a special presentation of “Cookie Queens,” one of the best films to come out of Sundance — a delightful/fun/inspiring/delicious celebration of Girl Scouts and the annual rite of selling cookies. ‘Tulsans- What’s your favorite Girl Scout Cookie?’”

For more information on the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, or to purchase festival passes, visit www.hsdfi.org. For more information about “Hot Doks” or to purchase tickets, visit www.circlecinema.org.

MORE ABOUT THE FILM

A celebration of girlhood and the complexities that come with it, COOKIE QUEENS is a coming-of-age story about the joys, pressures, and pain points woven into one of America’s most cherished rituals: Girl Scout Cookie season. Captivating, candid, and full of heart, the film follows four girls ages five to twelve and their families as they navigate the annual whirlwind of selling, striving, and succeeding.

For these Girl Scouts, selling cookies isn’t just about Thin Mints and sisterhood – it’s a crash course in commercialism. Behind the smiles and cookie boxes lie real pressure: long hours, ambitious sales goals, and the weight of high expectations.

Director Alysa Nahmias crafts a bold, vibrant, observational portrait that honors the girls’ perspectives and illuminates the emotional and intellectual stakes of their experiences. With humor, warmth, and a keen eye for the small moments that reveal big truths, she shows what it means to grow up in a world shaped by the tensions between community and capitalism.

ABOUT THE GUESTS

SHANNON ELIZABETH AND HER MOTHER AMANDA, El Paso, TX | Age 8 | Brownie Level Girl Scout from Troop 50063
Shannon Elizabeth is an energetic only child whose mom (and troop co-leader), Amanda raised her alone for the first few years. Shannon Elizabeth was extremely shy before she became a Girl Scout. She’s recently formed a special bond with her mom’s partner, Juan, whom she calls “Sushi.” The three of them are a mighty cookie-selling trio.

The financial stakes are high for Shannon Elizabeth’s family this season, as they’ve committed to selling a huge amount of cookies to win the prize of a free Girl Scouts summer camp for her. Their family sells at the high school where her mom teaches, local sports fields, stores, and door-to-door. Their family is Latinx and Native American, and Shannon Elizabeth is learning about her Native American culture more as she gets older. She’s also obsessed with Karate and wants to break two boards to earn her purple belt. Of course she sells cookies at her Dojo, too.

While Shannon Elizabeth still carries her pink stuffed bunny, she’s also a budding leader within her large, multi-age troop that’s reflective of El Paso’s diversity. The girls in this troop truly need cookie sales to be able to afford meaningful activities like summer camp.

ANTONIO CISNEROS, Director of Photography
Antonio Cisneros is an award-winning Hispanic cinematographer, Film Independent Fellow, graduate of The American Film Institute and New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. The Hollywood Reporter described his work as “intimate, glossy and impeccable” and Deadline has defined him as “a maverick.” Antonio has lensed seventeen feature films, including Netflix’s THE SAINT OF SECOND CHANCES directed by the academy award winning Morgan Neville. In the last year he has shot three narrative features ODDITIES, TENDER, and MARFA LIGHTS – all slated for theatrical release 2026. Antonio lensed the series American Koko for ABC (produced by Viola Davis) and Shangri-La for Showtime. Antonio’s film MOBY DICK: THE WHALE was selected to participate in the prestigious Whitney Biennially in New York. Other clients have included HBO, Netflix, The BBC, PBS, Hulu, CNN, the MOMA, The Academy of Motion Pictures & Sciences and Participate Media. Antonio has an extensive background in documentary and is passionate about socially conscious stories. His most recent collaboration is with award winning director Nat Lezra (ROADS OF FIRE) for the documentary film ASH FALLS LIKE SNOW, which follows the mental health crisis within the wildlife firefighting community, embedding with their elite squad the Smoke Jumpers.

ABOUT HOT SPRINGS DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL

The Hot Springs Documentary Film Institute is renowned for its commitment to showcasing inspiring and thought-provoking documentaries, fostering a supportive environment for filmmakers, and engaging audiences through diverse programming. From October 9 – 17, 2026, HSDFI will launch the 35th edition of the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, one of the longest running documentary film festival in North America. In addition, throughout the year, the Institute curates a dynamic slate of documentary screenings and events in Hot Springs and beyond. Learn more at HSDFI.org.

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NOTE:

SPECIAL UAPB PASS OFFER:

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