The Bentonville Film Festival will bring Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick, Bobby Flay, Ree Drummond and a Netflix preview of "Little House on the Prairie" to NWA next month.

Why it matters: The festival, now in its 12th year, has become one of the region's most visible entertainment events, drawing filmmakers, actors and industry leaders while elevating underrepresented voices in film and media.

• Last year's festival generated about $4.5 million in local economic impact, Visit Bentonville president and CEO Kalene Griffith said.

Driving the news: The festival, founded by Geena Davis, announced its 2026 lineup Thursday, including 34 feature competition films and five world premieres. The festival runs June 15-21.

The big picture: BFFoundation says the festival focuses on work by women, nonbinary people, people of color, the LGBTQ community and people with disabilities and diverse body types.

What's new: The opening film screens on June 16 with "Family Movie," a comedic thriller directed by, produced by and starring Bacon and Sedgwick. The two are expected to attend and take part in a conversation after the screening.

Netflix's new "Little House on the Prairie" will close the festival June 21 with a preview of its first episode.

• Showrunner Rebecca Sonnenshine and stars Crosby Fitzgerald and Alyssa Wapanatâhk are expected to join a Q&A after the screening. Sonnenshine will receive the festival's Rising to the Challenge Award.

Zoom in: The festival's Homegrown Competition features movies made by Arkansas filmmakers or filmed in Arkansas.

• This year's lineup includes "Baby/Girls," a documentary about a maternity home for teenagers in Arkansas, and the world premiere of "Welcome to the Fishbowl."

What they're saying: "When we launched this festival 12 years ago, it began with an idea that entertainment has the power not only to move us, but can shape the world around us," Davis said during the announcement.

The bottom line: Passes for the entire festival start at $250. Prices for tickets to individual events vary.

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The University of Arkansas' Greenhouse Outdoor Recreation Program (GORP) will hold a demo night May 19 for its eighth cohort of six companies focused on cycling, paddling, recreation and outdoor education.

Why it matters: Business accelerators like GORP are helping build a network of entrepreneurs ready to add to Arkansas' $4.9 billion outdoor recreation industry.

State of play: The program gives founders workshop training, mentoring, access to university interns and product or service development support.

• It also offers up to $15,000 in seed funding per company for needs such as legal work, marketing, equipment and branding.
• The 12-week spring program began in March.

Demo night will be held at 4204 S. Pinnacle Hills Parkway, Suite 101, in Rogers. The event begins at 5pm with presentations running from 5:30-9pm. It's free to attend, but RSVPs are appreciated.

The companies presenting are:

• BikeWhip.com — helps riders find bikes locally to rent or buy
• Oakdrop — paddling gear company
• Ozark Float Park — floating recreation park concept
• Rewilding Lab — guided outdoor experiences
• The Wander Outdoor Adventure Hub — adventure cycling basecamp and support
• Vault Mobility — smart bike parking hubs for trailheads and destinations

Flashback: GORP launched in 2022 with four startups. Since, 47 new companies have gone through its semiannual program, and more than 500 entrepreneurs have used its a la carte services and other offerings.

The bottom line: More than 85% of GORP companies are still in the market, with most growing sales.

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🎤 A representative from drone maker Swarm Aero was jeered at during a town hall meeting the company held at the Fayetteville Public Library on Wednesday. (Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)

• On Tuesday, the company is appealing a decision made by the city's Board of Adjustment about its business classification, which could change its ability to operate in its current location.
• "We hope to be part of the community, and you deserve to be able to speak with us, to have your questions answered," chief engineer Peter Kalogiannis said.

🎾 The University of Arkansas said it will reinstate its tennis programs immediately. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)

• Supporters have raised $2.5 million in cash and received pledges of another $2.5 million to pay for the 2026-27 program.

Former Fayetteville City Council member Sloan Scroggin died this week. He was 41. (Fayetteville Flyer)

Let's make it a good weekend, NWA.

🥎 Softball tournament — The Arkansas Razorbacks softball team will compete in the NCAA tournament starting at 4:30pm tonight against the Fordham University Rams and at Bogle Park in Fayetteville. Get tickets or watch on ESPN.

• They'll play against the South Florida Bulls or the Washington Huskies on Saturday in Fayetteville.

🤣 Comedy night — Jeff Foxworthy is performing at the Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion at 8pm tonight. Get tickets starting at $50.

🍓 Fayetteville Strawberry Festival — The event starts with a downtown street dance from 6-10pm Saturday. Sunday includes live music, games and a strawberry pie competition.