The Rock City Film Festival (formerly the Made in Arkansas Film Festival) returns to CALS Ron Robinson Theater for its seventh year on May 16-18, 2025. Rock City was founded in 2019 to showcase the work of Arkansas’s independent filmmakers and has expanded to bring their films from all over the world back home to Arkansas. This year’s festival program offers something for everyone, whether you love comedy, documentaries, horror/thrillers, family-friendly shorts, or Arkansas-made feature films. And if you’re in the mood for something weirder, our now infamous “WTF” block offers adventurous filmgoers a wild ride of experimental and offbeat fare.

True to its original mission, the festival brings filmmakers together not only to watch and celebrate films, but to facilitate collaborative relationships that help to unify and elevate the independent film community as a whole. Q+A sessions and workshops provide an opportunity for filmmakers to meet each other, view each other’s work, and build networks that hopefully lead to even more Arkansas-made films.

Festival directors credit Rock City’s partnership with the Central Arkansas Library System as a huge factor in the festival’s success. “The screen and sound quality in the Ron Robinson Theater are second to none. As a filmmaker, there are few things as exciting as sitting with an audience and watching your film up on the big screen. We love working with CALS to showcase the incredible work being done by filmmakers, actors, and creatives across the state.”

For a list of films, click here: https://www.rockcityfilmfest.org

Film Start Time: Doors open one hour before the first film begins. As our films are general admission seating, please be sure to arrive early to secure your seat. Beer, wine, and concessions will be available.

Free Parking:

We’re pleased to offer complimentary parking for all attendees. Simply bring your parking ticket from the library parking lot (across from the Main Library on Rock Street) or the parking deck (next to the Main Library on Rock Street) inside the theater, and our friendly box office staff will validate it for you. Validations are for paid ticket holders only.