2025 FORT SMITH WINNERS
Fort Smith – Surviving the Spectrum, which explores at the intersection of autism and suicidality, won best overall film and best short documentary. Mayor McGill presented Club Kinkeads the Fort Smith Proud award. Dunklin won Best of the River Valley and Susan received the Champ Williams memorial snapping turtle trophy for Best Feature Documentary. The full list of winners is below.
The ceremony was interrupted when Molly Dunaway, Miss Worldwide, the awards presenter suddenly took over the show calling Greenwood Mayor Doug Kinslow to the stage who presented Dr. Brandon Chase Goldsmith, executive director of the festival, with a key to the city. Mayor Doug Kinslow proclaimed August 10, 2025, as “Brandon Chase Goldsmith Day,” commending Dr. Goldsmith’s steadfast dedication to promoting artistic expression, fostering cultural dialogue, and elevating the creative economy of Arkansas.
In addition, Molly presented Brandon with a Citation from the Arkansas House of Representatives, through Representatives Zach Gramlich, Jay Richardson, and Cindy Crawford, issued an official citation recognizing Dr. Goldsmith’s visionary leadership as co-founder of the River Valley Film Society, CEO of BCG Creative Solutions, and driving force behind the Fort Smith International Film Festival, Border Town Live, and other landmark initiatives. These honors celebrate Dr. Goldsmith’s enduring impact on film, education, civic engagement, and the cultural vitality of the River Valley and beyond.
- Best Overall Film - Surviving the Spectrum
- Best Overall Short Film - The Pretty
- Fort Smith Proud - Club Kinkeads
- Best of the River Valley - Dunklin
- Best International Short Film -Amplified
- Best Feature Documentary - Susan
- Best LGBTQ Short Film - The Ball
- Best People of Color Film - Colbert: All Students Can Learn
- Best Indigenous Film - Keepers of the Coastline
- Best College Short Film -Submerged
- Best Animation - In Half
- Best Music Video - Blood on Your Lips
- Best Episodic - Space Station Village
- Best Narrative Feature - Delta County
- Best Short Documentary - Surviving the Spectrum
- Best Thriller Film - Palate Cleanser
- Best Arkansas Film - The Mirror
- Best MidAmerica Film - Just the Janitor
- Best Alumni Film - Drowned Land
- 2025 Top Screener - Ronald Nichols
- 2025 Top Screener - Melissa Woodall
- 2025 Top Screener - Rain Story
- 2025 Top Screener - Marilyn Knapp
- 2025 Top Screener -Patrick Conrad
- 2025 Top Screener - Lisa Jan-Bohne’Clay
- 2025 Top Screener - Crissie McBride
