Deep within the Ouachita Mountains, in what Native Americans have named the Valley of the Vapors, amidst historic turn-of-the-century bathhouses and at the doorstep of a national park, lies the unforgettable spa city of Hot Springs, Arkansas—home to North America’s longest-running documentary film festival.

The 34th Annual Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival will take place October 10–18, 2025, at the iconic Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa, with special Opening and Closing Night festivities hosted at Oaklawn. Each year, HSDFF brings together filmmakers, industry leaders, and audiences from around the world to celebrate the art of nonfiction storytelling through screenings, panels, and special events in one of the most unique festival settings in the country.