The Bentonville Film Festival, led by Geena Davis, is produced by the BFFoundation

The BFFoundation (BFF), today announced the appointment of Chris Farrell, Executive Vice President of International Strategy at Walmart International, to its Board of Directors, effective immediately.

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Chris Farrell, Executive Vice President of International Strategy at Walmart International

Farrell brings more than 35 years of experience as a corporate executive and strategic advisor across the retail, consumer, and entertainment industries. In addition to his corporate leadership, he is an accomplished producer whose credits include Jimmy Carter Rock & Roll President (Producer) and Left Behind (Producer). He is a member of the Producers Guild of America and has previously served on the Boards of the Joyful Heart Foundation and the Surfrider Foundation.

“We’ve been consistently impressed by Chris’s exceptional creativity and strategic vision,” said Wendy Guerrero, Executive Director of BFFoundation. “The Bentonville Film Festival is already recognized on the global stage and with Chris’s expertise in strategy and development, we’re excited to unlock new growth opportunities and take the festival to greater heights.”

“You can’t help but feel Chris’s passion and energy — and his shared ambitions for the Bentonville Film Festival,” said Geena Davis, Academy Award–winning actor and Chair of BFFoundation. “It also helps that he is a filmmaker who understands both the art and the business.”

“I am honored and thrilled to join the BFFoundation team,” said Chris Farrell. “Together we’ll build on the incredible foundation already in place — staying true to BFF’s purpose while strengthening our ties to Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas and amplifying our global impact.”

Farrell joins the BFFoundation at an exciting time of expansion and innovation. The organization recently announced the dates for the 12th annual Bentonville Film Festival, taking place June 15–21, 2026, with digital screenings continuing through June 28, 2026. The festival has become a vital space in the entertainment landscape, celebrating bold perspectives and inclusive storytelling.

In 2025, BFF drew over 30,000 attendees and featured marquee guests including Lucy Liu, Al Roker, Allyson Felix, Trace Lysette, Bradley Whitford, Shohreh Aghdashloo, and Betsy Brandt. The festival also hosted Variety’s 10 Producers to Watch, a signature program honoring rising voices shaping the future of entertainment—further underscoring Foundations’ mission to champion underrepresented storytellers.

ABOUT BFFOUNDATION

BFFoundation is a non-profit organization focused on promoting underrepresented voices in entertainment and media. Through the Bentonville Film Festival, held annually each June, and its year-round programming, the Foundation’s core mission is to champion the power of storytelling and help build a world where every voice matters and every story is heard through research, education, and the production and distribution of inclusive content.

The Foundation believes that by taking real action with content creators, talent, influencers, advertisers, and distributors, we can accurately reflect the diversity of our communities and create a seismic shift in how media inspires future generations.

In partnership with the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, BFFoundation also works with schools and community institutions to address the effects of stereotyping, unconscious bias, and underrepresentation. Through programs like the Bentonville Film Festival, the Foundation continues to build bridges between innovation, storytelling, and impact.

For more information, visit bentonvillefilm.org.

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