2024 Fort Smith film fest has estimated $225,000 economic impact

The 2024 Fort Smith International Film Festival had a direct economic impact of $225,000 “and generated substantial financial contributions to the local economy through visitor spending, event services, and more,” according to the festival.

Based on data from the Fort Smith Advertising and Promotion, the 2024 festival had more than 800 guests who booked 603 room nights in the area during the Aug. 22-24 event.

The Fort Smith International Film Festival, which was held in August at Templelive in downtown Fort Smith, received a record 541 submissions, well above the 452 films for the 2023 event. Festival submissions were from 50 countries, tribes and indigenous nations.

Of the 541 submissions, 327 came from the United States. Countries represented with international submissions include Iran, the U.K., the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Japan, Australia and China. The festival also received submissions from individuals representing the Cherokee, Choctaw and Quapaw nations.

“This year’s festival exceeded all our expectations,” Dr. Brandon Chase Goldsmith, festival executive director, said in a statement. “It’s inspiring to see how Fort Smith and cities throughout our region have embraced our festival and inaugural film market. The market’s goal is to grow not only the local creative economy but to encourage filmmakers in surrounding states.”

Fort Smith Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Ashleigh Bachert said festival success is an indication of interest “by the creative community” to grow the regional film industry.

“It continues to be a strong event for the Fort Smith community and beyond,” Bachert said, adding that the ongoing success of the event proves “we’re a player in the film market” which will hopefully result in more filmmaking in the region.

The 2024 event included films from more than 80 filmmakers in Arkansas and Oklahoma,” showcasing the rich creative talent of the region,” according to the festival report. Based on data from Meltwater, a San Francisco-based media monitoring firm, the festival says it has a four-year media reach of 1.9 billion people. The 2024 festival had a media reach of 467 million.