POV Fest (Persistence of Vision Film Festival)

Overview

POV Fest (Persistence of Vision Film Festival) is Arkansas's primary short film festival, held annually in January in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The festival is produced by Low Key Arts, a nonprofit arts organization founded in 2005. POV Fest was known as Arkansas Shorts from its inception in 2008 until 2024, when it was renamed to reflect its expanded programming. The 2026 edition runs January 9-11 at the Arlington Hotel Resort in downtown Hot Springs, screening 85+ short films across three categories: Arkansas, North American, and International.

The festival began as a single screening night exclusively for films made by Arkansans and has grown into a three-day event with filmmaker Q&As, workshops, after-parties, and a packed program of short films from around the world. The 2024 edition (the 17th annual and last under the Arkansas Shorts name) screened a record 80 shorts. The rename to POV Fest in 2025 signaled an expansion to include feature films, documentaries, additional panels, and special guests alongside the core short film programming.

For Arkansas filmmakers, POV Fest is the most significant in-state screening opportunity. The Arkansas category ensures local filmmakers have a dedicated platform, while the North American and International categories bring outside work to Hot Springs audiences who would otherwise have limited access to independent short cinema. The festival also serves as the public screening venue for Low Key Arts' Inception to Projection (I2P) filmmaking program, which trains participants to write, direct, produce, and edit their own short films.

Key Sections

• Arkansas Category - short films made by Arkansas filmmakers or with significant Arkansas creative involvement
• North American Category - short films from across the United States and Canada
• International Category - short films from around the world
• Inception to Projection Screenings - films completed through Low Key Arts' hands-on filmmaking training program, screened publicly as part of the festival
• Workshops and Panels - filmmaking workshops and educational programming
• After-Parties - social events for filmmakers and attendees

What Filmmakers Should Know

Submission Details

Submissions are accepted via FilmFreeway. The festival accepts short films across three categories: Arkansas, North American, and International. Specific submission deadlines and fees vary by year, so check the Low Key Arts website and the FilmFreeway page for current details.

Eligibility

• Arkansas Category: Films made in Arkansas, by Arkansas filmmakers, or with significant Arkansas creative involvement
• North American Category: Films from the United States and Canada
• International Category: Films from any country outside North America
• The festival programs short films primarily, with feature films and documentaries added as part of the POV Fest expansion
• Genres include narrative, documentary, animation, and experimental work

Festival Culture and Networking

POV Fest is known for its intimate, community-oriented atmosphere. The single-venue format at the Arlington Hotel Resort (2026 edition) means filmmakers, audiences, and staff share the same space throughout the weekend. The after-parties and Q&A sessions create natural networking opportunities. The festival draws filmmakers from across Arkansas and neighboring states, with some international filmmakers attending for the International Category screenings.

Inception to Projection Program

Low Key Arts operates the Inception to Projection (I2P) program, a hands-on filmmaking course that trains participants to write, direct, produce, and edit their own original short films. I2P students screen their completed films at POV Fest as part of the festival program. The program has been a significant pipeline for new Arkansas filmmakers and has contributed to the growth of the Arkansas Category submissions over the years. I2P previously received approximately $60,000 annually in NEA and Mid-America Arts Alliance funding, but those grants were cancelled in 2025 by the Trump administration, creating financial uncertainty for the program's future.

No Market Attachment

POV Fest does not have an attached film market, industry office, or distributor presence. The festival is a community and cultural event rather than an industry marketplace. Filmmakers should not expect acquisition deals or distributor meetings at this festival. The value is in screening, community engagement, and peer networking with other regional filmmakers.

Major Awards

POV Fest is primarily a screening festival rather than a competitive one. The festival has historically featured audience voting and filmmaker recognition, but the specific award structure varies by year. Check the Low Key Arts website for current award details.

Festival History

POV Fest began in 2008 as Arkansas Shorts, a single screening night designed to showcase films made by Arkansans. The festival was produced by Low Key Arts, a nonprofit founded in 2005 that also operates the Valley of the Vapors Independent Music Festival and KUHS 102.5 FM, a solar-powered community radio station in Hot Springs.

The festival grew steadily over its first decade. By the 15th annual edition in 2022, it expanded from one night to two full days. The 16th annual in 2023 grew to three days, screening 66 short films at the Historic Malco Theatre in downtown Hot Springs. The 17th annual in January 2024 set a record with 80 short films and marked the final edition under the Arkansas Shorts name.

Starting in 2025, the festival was renamed POV Fest (Persistence of Vision Film Festival) to reflect its expanded programming, which now includes feature films, documentaries, additional panels, workshops, and special guests alongside the core short film program. The 2026 edition (the second under the POV Fest name) moves to the Arlington Hotel Resort in downtown Hot Springs.

Low Key Arts operates on an annual budget of approximately $150,000. In 2025, the organization lost approximately $60,000 in annual NEA grant funding and $7,500 in expected Arkansas Arts Council funding due to federal budget cuts. Despite this, the 2026 POV Fest is proceeding as planned.

Practical Information for Attendees

The 2026 POV Fest runs January 9-11 at the Arlington Hotel Resort in downtown Hot Springs, Arkansas. Hot Springs is approximately one hour southwest of Little Rock by car. The Historic Malco Theatre, the festival's previous venue, is located at 817 Central Avenue in Hot Springs. Ticket prices for the 2026 edition have not been announced, but 2023 prices were $65 for a weekend all-access pass, $25-$35 for day passes, and $10 for a single film block.

For the most current information on submissions, tickets, and programming, visit the Low Key Arts website or the POV Fest FilmFreeway page.

Other Arkansas Film Events

The Arkansas Cinema Society operates Filmland, a separate festival held annually in August at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts in Little Rock. Filmland 2026 runs August 12-16. The Filmland: Arkansas section accepts submissions via FilmFreeway through June 1, with selected filmmakers notified by July 1. Filmland: Arkansas is non-competitive but offers Audience Awards, with winners eligible for Panavision New Filmmaker Grants worth $60,000 in camera equipment for features and $15,000 for shorts. Filmland also hosts a Short Film Pitch Contest with a $5,000 cash prize and a film equipment grant. ACS members receive 50% off submission fees. For more information, visit the Arkansas Cinema Society website.

See Also

For short film strategy, see Film Festival Strategy. For independent filmmaking, see Independent Filmmaking Strategies. Use the Festival Entry Fee ROI Calculator to evaluate submission costs for POV Fest and other festivals on your circuit.