Kili Big directed by Ida Joglar which world premiered at the 2021 Bentonville Film Festival was awarded Best Documentary at the festival. The film follows a group of plus-sized women from around the world as they attempt to climb the tallest peak in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro. Roshan Sethi’s 7 Days, about an Indian couple on an arranged marriage date forced to quarantine together, took home the jury award for Best Narrative Feature and Americanized, by Erica Eng, was selected for Best Short Film.

The week-long Festival, led by Academy Award-winning actor and Festival Chair Geena Davis, is known for its dedication to championing female, non-binary, LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and people with disabilities’ voices in entertainment with Films Directed by 71% Women, 75% BIPOC/API and 33% LGBTQIA+ Filmmakers.

2021 Bentonville Film Festival award winners and honorees

Jury Award Winners:

Narrative Film Award: 7 DAYS, Director: Roshan Sethi

Documentary Film Award: KILI BIG, Director: Ida Joglar

Short Film Narrative Award: AMERICANIZED, Director: Erica Eng

Episodic Award: NOW WITH FIONA, Director: Fiona Dawson

Special Recognition Awards:

Honorary Mention, Narrative Feature: WAIKIKI, Director: Christopher Kahunahana

Honorary Mention, Documentary Feature: YOUTH V GOV, Director: Christi Cooper

Honorary Mention, Short Film: NAHJUM, Director: Sebastian Torres Greene