Five years after the launch of a Downtown Jonesboro Festival that focused on arts, eats and film, the much-anticipated film festival now stands on its own. With a rebranding of what is now the Porchlight Film Festival, the weekend will serve as a destination for creatives in the film industry and those who appreciate the craft.

“When Oasis was born, the film and arts/eats portions were all in one festival; then, as they grew, the decision was made to split it into two separate weekends,” said The Foundation of Arts (FOA) Executive Director Stephanie Epps. “The new name for Porchlight Film Festival is a way to differentiate between the two while giving insight into its desired impression – to be a warm beacon of creativity and storytelling in a homey, comfortable way.

“At Porchlight, we believe in the power of stories to light the way and bring people together. Rooted in Southern warmth and inspired by The Forum Theatre’s legacy as a downtown beacon, we’re creating a welcoming space where filmmakers of all backgrounds and skill levels can gather, grow and shine. Through workshops, panels and community events, we invite storytellers to find connection, inspiration and a creative home here."

FOA Creative Director Joe Carr added that the foundation is hoping to rebrand this event with a new name that will help broaden its reach across the region and will highlight the intended vibe. 

“We want people to imagine their creative work as part of the classic tradition of telling great stories by porchlight,” he said.

The 2026 Porchlight Film Festival will take place from April 10-12 at The Forum Theatre in Downtown Jonesboro. Organizers hope the growing weekend full of films and workshops will showcase talent and inspire participating filmmakers.

Epps said the festival is brought to life by an amazing team of volunteers who are passionate about the art form and giving its artists space to grow and learn.

“Lorenzo Balderas, Kirstyn Salehi, Fallon Backus, Mitch Mahan, Derek Osborn, Jen Nobles and Brian Ackley work tirelessly to create thoughtful and impactful experiences for festival-goers,” she said.

Balderas has been involved with The FOA for the past 16 years as a volunteer and has also served as a board member. He is currently serving as the executive director for the Porchlight Film Festival and is passionate about building the festival’s own identity in the community.

“I love what the organization stands for, and I'm so grateful for the opportunities it has afforded me during that time,” said Balderas. “Over the past five years, we have steadily increased our entry numbers, adding regional and state filmmakers while also attracting participants from around the world. We've also connected some of the local film community together, which is really important. Filmmaking is a highly collaborative effort that can feel isolating if you don't know where to find help. Being able to show up, meet people and plan future projects has a huge impact.”

Porchlight’s executive director says that while the name is new, the mission is the same.

“A lot of the core principles that we started with will stay the same,” said Balderas. “We have such a great arts community already, but film has been missing and we want to change that. We ultimately want to be a film hub for this part of the state – a place for people in the area, and all over, to tell their stories, make connections and find ways to improve upon their work. 

“In a broader sense, as filmmaking becomes more mainstream in Arkansas, we want to appeal to production companies looking for a place to tell stories and help facilitate that by connecting them with local people and locations.”

Organizers and volunteers with The FOA want the community to attend, watch films and help grow this event into something even bigger. Balderas encourages attendees to seize the opportunity to see stories they might not otherwise encounter.

“We want our part of the world to be part of the broader conversation about filmmaking,” said Balderas. “Although we accept films from all over the world, we specifically want to cultivate filmmaking in NEA and give a platform to those who feel like they aren't ready or sure about moving on to bigger festivals. Everyone has a story to tell, and they should all have an equal opportunity to tell it. … 

“More than anything, we’re leaning into our laid-back vibe. We don’t want this to be a stuffy event just for film snobs – but of course they’re invited, too! We want it to be something anyone can enjoy, regardless of their film knowledge level.”

Content-wise, Carr says the festival continues to evolve and grow in its offerings for filmmakers and cinematic enthusiasts.

“Each year we have added unique workshops and expanded the number of area filmmakers that have shown their work,” said Carr. “Our audience for the festival has grown, which has been encouraging to those showcasing their hard work. Last year we added an extra day to our festival and an outdoor showing that brought more excitement to the festival. This year will further capitalize on that growth with more of the same. …

“Besides supporting the hard work of local filmmakers, attendees can attend great workshops to enhance their craft in acting, writing, storytelling, cinematography, lighting, make-up and special effects.”

Carr is a longtime supporter of the arts and The FOA and says the renewed focus on film is actually a longstanding tradition of The Forum. 

“Did you know that The Forum was previously The Strand Theater, the primary movie house for Jonesboro, (which opened) 100 years ago in 1926?” asked Carr. “The FOA often hears wonderful stories from people who grace our doors and who grew up attending movies in the same building that has been our performing arts facility for the last 40 years. How cool is it that a new generation of film lovers can experience the Porchlight Film Festival in this same, classic space?”

For more information, visit porchlightfest.com or email porchlightfest@foajonesboro.org.