CGA is excited to host the Rialto Family Film Festival in Searcy, Arkansas. The festival's mission is to provide a space where families can experience the artistry of independent cinema. We aim to curate and showcase high-quality films that are accessible to all ages. We welcome both children's films and faith-based films (in fact, we have a category for the latter) but by no means limit the festival to those genres - we invite filmmakers to submit any works that meet our criteria below.

Schedule

May 2, 2025

1:00-3:20 FILM BLOCK: Romance and Family Drama

SOMEDAY THIS MORNING Short

Directed by Jason Roper

Ethan has always promised his time to Grace someday. He finally realizes that someday is not a guarantee, but is it too late?

FATHER'S LOVE IS LIKE A MOUNTAIN Short

Directed by Pauline Angelina

A young artist is dedicated to having a successful art exhibition in order to prove herself to her unsupportive father.

SECOND CHILDHOOD Short

Directed by Charles Bane

A middle-aged alcoholic returns home to his mother's house to dry out. They spend the days working in the yard, walking, and watching Clint Eastwood as he tries to overcome his demons to be the son, husband, and father he wants to be.

FOREVER ONE Feature

Directed by EO Milvado

A Torah-observant Rabbi and the secular woman he falls in love with work on bridging the gap and making their relationship work.

Content Guide: This film block contains smoking and alcohol use, and mature

thematic elements.

3:30-4:45 GUEST SPEAKER: Dylan Treadwell

Intellectual Property Lawyer & Filmmaker

This workshop will equip independent filmmakers and other artists with the practical tools to protects their work and avoid legal pitfalls.

5:00-6:40 FILM BLOCK: Documentaries on the Unseen People of Arkansas

THE AMBASSADORS Short

Directed by Brinson Davenport

Dive into the world of custodial staff at a private Christian university in central Arkansas as they share their stories, struggles, and successes.

CRIES FROM THE COTTON FIELD Feature

Directed by Larry Foley, Ed Eaves

Feature-length documentary saga of Italians who were unscrupulously recruited to work cotton fields in the American South, after the Civil War, and their resilient journey of hope, hardship and faith. Told in first person by their parish priest, using his own words, Father Pietro Bandini, a "Moseslike" figure, who had previously been kicked out of the Jesuits. The Italian enclave Bandini founded still thrives in the community of Tontitown in the Ozark hills of Northwest Arkansas.

Content Guide: This film block contains mature thematic elements.

7:00-8:15 GUEST SPEAKER: John Means

Scenic Department Head at Universal Studios (1974-2004)

John will share his personal experiences and stories from overseeing work on iconic films like Jaws, Back to the Future, and Jurassic Park. He will also discuss his journey in the film industry as a person of faith. 

8:30-10:00 FILM BLOCK: Harding University Five Minute Film Festival

The Harding University Five Minute Film Festival highlights the creativity and talent of Harding's film students as they compete with their best five-minute films. This film block features its own set of awards through Harding’s film department, including Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and more. The film that earns the top honor, Best Picture, will be considered for the Best Short award at the Rialto Family Film Festival.

May 3, 2025

9:00-10:10 FILM BLOCK: Films on Ministries

MONSTROSITY: FROM DUNKS TO TRUCKS Short

Directed by Colby Thompson

Monstrosity: From Dunks to Trucks takes a behind the scenes look at First National Bank Arena, as they prepare to transform the home of the Red Wolves Basketball Team into a location capable of handling the Monster Truck Nitro Tour.

CONFESS YOUR SINS Short

Directed by Oneal Tankersley

One of 53 episodes for African teens which use humor to explore the applications of 1 Tim 4:12 regarding Speech, LIfe, Love, Faith and Purity 

OBJECT LESSONS - BLOOD Short

Directed by Oneal Tankersley

What blood does in our bodies to maintain life is a model for how we are called to serve in the human family.

KOLBE HOUSE Short

Directed by Trevor Thomas Tosto

Kolbe House Jail Ministry has been serving those affected by incarceration in the Chicagoland area since 1982. From inside the house itself to the Cook County Correctional Facility, this doc aims to highlight the work of their ministry.

Content Guide: This film block contains mature thematic elements.

10:30-12:30 SPECIAL SCREENING: The Man From Home

This is a special screening of The Man from Home (1922), a rare silent film written by Ouida Berge re, a former resident of Searcy, Arkansas. Berge re was a pioneering screenwriter in Hollywood, crafting over 40 silent film screenplays. Although much of her work is lost, The Man from Home remains a testament to her skill and influence. Notably, this film is also one of the earliest surviving works on which Alfred Hitchcock contributed, adding to its historical significance. Dr. Charles Bane, head of Harding University’s Film Department, will lead a discussion on the film’s impact and the importance of Berge re’s work.

12:45-2:15 FILM BLOCK: The Inner Life of Children Pt.1

THE SCIENCE ADVENTURES OF TOM & HUCK Feature

Directed by Lee Fanning, Benjamin Stark, Michael Williams

Mark Twain's classic characters Tom Sawyer & Huckleberry Finn are back!

Follow Tom, Huck, Becky Thatcher and the rest of their friends in brand new adventures set after Twain's seminal novels-- each with a scientific twist.

Tom, Huck and Becky take on vandals, bad bets, illegal trappers-- and even the return of some familiar foes-- in adventures that span their last few summers before growing up. Along the way, Tom and Huck learn plenty about real science topics, like magnetism, animal communication, states of energy, gravity-- and even the perfect way to skip a stone! Educational, fun

and full of adventure, this unique film is perfect for families-- and anyone who grew up loving Mark Twain's classic tales!

Content Guide: This film block contains mild peril.

2:30-4:30 SPECIAL SCREENING: Surrounded by Idiots

Surrounded by Idiots is a drama/comedy about Jon, who returns to his hometown in pursuit of his one true love, Kate. Along the way, he faces a series of personal challenges, including an overbearing mother, an emotionally challenged brother, and his own self-doubts. After the screening, stay for a Q&A with writer and director Joe Aaron, where he'll discuss the film’s

inspiration, themes, and the experience of shooting in Searcy, Arkansas. 

Content Guide: This film block contains mature thematic elements including marital affairs and end-of-life decisions.

4:45-5:45 FILM BLOCK: The Inner Life of Children Pt.2

THE DELICATE CYCLE Short

Directed by Katherine King

A boy on the cusp of adolescence visits a laundromat at 6am where he used to play video games with his father. There he befriends Lance, a disheveled stranger full of surprises.

DUE Short 

Directed by Lisa Riccardi

Marta, 7 years old, has a very specific plan. A plan that she kept hidden from anyone. Especially to her mom. We don't know what it is, we can only follow her preparation before to go out, taking two goldfish with her. From a small house in the suburbs, Marta will reach the big city. This journey will take her far, further than she could ever imagine.

4:45-5:45 FILM BLOCK: The Inner Life of Children Pt.2 CONT’D

THE FIREFLY JAR Short

Directed by Gary Fierro

A magician, some magic, and a wish. A walk down Reverie Rd. brings a young boy on a magical journey as he learns to cope with the recent passing of his mother in this wondrous telling of life after loss. 

Content Guide: This film block contains mild crude humor.

6:00-6:40 FILM BLOCK: Animation

BIRD DRONE Short

Directed by Radheya Jang Jegatheva

A heartfelt story of unrequited love explored through a lonely seagull struggling to accept that his newfound object of affection is a humanoperated drone with a limited battery life.

JOSEFINE Short 

Directed by Antonia Bain

‘Josefine’ is a fantastical animated opera inspired by Franz Kafka’s short story ‘Josefine the Singer.’ It explores the power of music and Art on the individual, the community, and on the world; and the ever-more-relevant question of art’s place in times of crisis.

6:00-6:40 FILM BLOCK: Animation CONT’D

„THERE ONCE WAS-THERE IS NO MORE-THERE IS“ Short

Directed by Karina Paciorkowska, ?ukasz Kamil Kamin ski

The film deals with the topic of experiencing difficult emotions related to the loss of loved ones and coping with it. Together with the 12-year old heroine Krysia, we go on a journey through places and times that were, which are not, and which we want to remember. The film, based on a story by Katarzyna Jackowska-Enemuo, supports young viewers in meeting their own

emotional "black holes" and brings relief. The film is intended for children aged 10-12, but its profound meaning and contexts allow people over 12

years old to experience a journey within themselves and history.

7:00-8:30 GUEST SPEAKER: Stephen Sinclair

Screenwriter

Stephen Sinclair will share memorable stories from his work with Peter Jackson on The Lord of the Rings trilogy, along with insights from their earlier collaborations. This engaging talk will explore the challenges of adapting J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved world for the screen, as well as broader reflections on the art of screenwriting and the process of adapting books for film.

8:30-9:00 AWARDS CEREMONY

Buy Tickets

Date: May 2 - 3, 2025

Location: Rialto Theater

100 West Race Avenue Searcy, AR 72143

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