Rosemead from Eric Lin won Best Narrative Award and The Librarians directed by Kim A. Snyder took home the prize for Best Documentary Award at the 2025 Bentonville Film Festival. The 11th anniversary of the festival ran from June 16-22 in Bentonville, AR.

Additionally, the Rising to the Challenge Award, was presented to Lucy Liu, producer and star of Rosemead. The Rising to the Challenge Award celebrates artists who put their talent, passion and experience on the line in the service of empowering stories that are otherwise underrepresented.

“These awards reflect the passion and drive of storytellers, whose work will continue to broaden perspectives and engage audiences throughout the year,” said Bentonville Film Festival Chair Geena Davis. “We congratulate our BFF award winners and we’re so thankful to every filmmaker here for their contributions to the success of this year’s BFF!”

Winners of the 2025 Bentonville Film Festival are as follows:

Best Narrative

Best Narrative: ROSEMEAD
(Director, Eric Lin; Writer, Marilyn Fu; Producers, Mynette Louie, Andrew Corkin, Lucy Liu)

Jury Statement: “Rosemead” captures the terrifying realities of motherhood in our contemporary era. When culture, society, and healthcare break down, how can a mother protect her own child? With a powerhouse performance from the often underused Lucy Liu, you understand every choice she makes. Director Eric Lin sparks real world conversations about the society we’re living in through an intimate, unflinching film based on true events in the San Gabriel Valley. The very essence of what great cinema can do.

Special Jury Mention for Directorial Vision: COLOR BOOK
(Director/Writer, David Fortune; Producers, Kiah Clingman, Kristen Uno, Autumn Bailey-Ford)

Jury Statement: David Fortune’s “Color Book” makes daring choices through form and subject matter. In a stripped down tale of a father just trying to get his son to a baseball game, the film unearths profound themes about the world we live in with a consistent command of beautiful visuals, performances, and crisp storytelling. Fortune’s vision speaks through a confident hand like he’s done this many times before.

Special Jury Mention for Ensemble Cast: ADULT CHILDREN
(Director/Producer, Rich Newey; Writer/Producer, Annika Marks; Producers, Angie Gaffney, Thomas Sadoski)

Jury Statement: In these times, the world needs to laugh, and “Adult Children” dispenses the chuckles effortlessly through its superb ensemble playing a maladjusted family colliding back together. The film speaks to a generational stuntedness that makes us realize that we’re all faking it as grown ups.

Best Documentary

Best Documentary: THE LIBRARIANS
(Director/Producer, Kim A. Snyder; Producers, Janique L. Robillard, Maria Cuomo Cole, Jana Edelbaum)

Jury Statement: This extraordinary film is powerful, timely and needed. It enrages and saddens, with not a second missed. The storytelling does not discriminate in its coverage, making its points thoroughly, in a scary, chilling and necessary exploration. These librarians are heroes.

Special Jury Mention (Documentary): HEIGHTENED SCRUTINY
(Director/Producer, Sam Feder; Producers, Amy Scholder, Paula Mendoza)

Jury Statement: “Heightened Scrutiny” is a film that humanizes an issue that’s become increasingly political, making it a story about people. A quintessential example of journalistic storytelling, the Jury found it uplifting, heart centered, factual, human and necessary. It beautifully contextualizes the war on trans people and the undue stress and scrutiny they face just to be themselves.

Best Homegrown

Best Homegrown: SOVEREIGN
(Director/Writer, Christian Swegal; Producer, Nick Moceri)

Jury Statement: Under the visionary direction of Christian Swegal, this bold story is elevated by a cast whose performances bring depth and authenticity to every scene. “Sovereign“ bravely opens a window into a side of American culture that is often difficult to discuss. The film invites viewers to confront complex realities with honesty and compassion, sparking important conversations that linger long after the credits roll.

Special Jury Mention (Homegrown): BEYOND THE ASHES: AN ADAPTIVE TRAIL STORY
(Directors/Producers, Brock Wagner, Tim Johnson; Producers, Jason Williams, Uriah Nazario, Bianca Montoya, Brian Carlson, John Hunter)

Best Episodic

Best Episodic: BORN 2 LOSE (Director, Carlos Cardona)

Best Short Film

Best Short Film: LOVIN’ HER (Director, day)

Special Jury Mention (Short Film): VIEW FROM THE FLOOR (Directors, Megan Griffiths, Mindie Lind)

Special Jury Mention (Short Film): TENDER THOUGHTS (Director, Anndi Jinelle Liggett)