Geena Davis develops film festival

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES

With help from a slew of corporate sponsors, Geena Davis and filmmakers focused on women and diversity have taken over Bentonville, Ark., Wal-Mart’s home base.

Davis said it’s the only film competition to promise theatrical releases for winning entries.

“It’s unheard of in the world, actually,” the Oscar-winner said in a telephone interview before opening the festival Tuesday. “It’s the only festival offering distribution across theatrical, digital and on TV and on DVD. ... That’s just part of our push to show how commercial diverse films can be.”

About 75 films will be screened over the four-day festival, which also will include panel discussions and a celebratory “A League of Their Own” baseball game, featuring appearances by Rosie O’Donnell and two original members of the All American Girls Professional Baseball League.

Davis plans to expand the festival to include educational outreach and events throughout the year.