The Bentonville Film Festival will return for its 9th year next summer from June 13-18, 2023, in person with on-demand streaming available through June 25, and is receiving submissions staring now! 

• Genres: The competition features film and TV in the categories of Narrative, Documentary, Shorts, and Episodic with this year including new categories for short films in Animation, and Adventure. 
• More: The weeklong event will also feature panels that challenge industry norms, and conversations that emphasize independent artists in the art of film, storytelling and technology; and curated studio spotlight films with celebrity conversations.

Keep up with BFF on Instagram for updates HERE. 

The J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Ozark Highlands Nature Center in Springdale is a fantastic place for kids to learn about and engage with the outdoors, and soon there will be even more to enjoy. 

• Playground: A 4,200 sq. ft. outdoor activity area will feature six stations including a boulder cavern, a cargo net climbing platform, and log climbing stations. Natural State Treehouses is constructing the project with locally-sourced rock and timber. 
• Quail habitat: An enclosure is being constructed to house more than 20 northern bobwhites for educational purposes, helping kids witness the near threatened birds and learn about preservation. 

Learn more about the project HERE. 

The roar of motorcycles will be heard throughout NWA this weekend as Rogers hosts the Bikes, Blues & BBQ motorcycle rally from Oct 5-8. 

• A reason to rally: Since the first BBB, over $3m has been raised and donated by the non-profit motorcycle rally that benefits women, children, and the underserved members of the NW Arkansas community. 
• Ride on: The eventful weekend will include musical performances, a car show, the Frisco Inferno BBQ competition, and mapped rides of the beautiful NW Arkansas. 

Check out a full schedule of the event HERE. 

Just in time for Oktoberfest, Bauhaus Biergarten is hosting its grand opening this Saturday, bringing a taste of Germany to Downtown Springdale.

• What a pair: Business partners, chef Jennifer Hill Booker and Daniel Hintz, share a love of German food, drink and culture, and combine a culinary history ranging from Bavaria to Milwaukee. 
• More to it: The establishment will not only provide an array of German, European and Wisconsin beverages and products, but the space will also offer collaborative dinners with chefs from around the country. 

Keep up with Bauhaus on Instagram for updates HERE. 

Excellerate Foundation is taking an innovative approach to driving systemic change in our region, leveraging data and technology to help thousands of Arkansans. 

• At the heart of it: Excellerate Foundation is an operating foundation that addresses both immediate needs and looks at the deeper roots of problems — through data-driven initiatives, their mission is to drive systemic change in Northwest Arkansas so everyone can thrive.
• Making it work: Since 2020, Excellerate has served over 10,000 individuals in the community thanks to the use of the Hark Technology Platform, the region's most comprehensive and real-time resource map.

Learn more and get involved HERE.