[VIDEO] Geena Davis Talks Bentonville Film Festival Standards, Working With First-Time Female Directors Like Zoë Kravitz

Geena Davis sat down with The Contending to chat about selecting films for the Bentonville Film Festival and working on The Duffer Brothers’ new show, The Boroughs.

The Oscars recently implemented diversity standards, but the Bentonville Film Festival, spearheaded by Academy Award-winning actress Geena Davis, was founded on those principles 11 years ago.

“We have very specific criteria,” she says. “Because this festival represents underserved voices, this year, our films are 60% directed by women, 55% by people of color, and 30% by LGBTQ. You need a director in one of those groups or a cast that’s incredibly diverse. There are a few things we want to check off for the films to qualify. Other than that, the films can be about anything — and they are!”

And Davis enjoys getting to act alongside diverse first-time directors, too, as she did in last summer’s surprise hit, Blink Twice.

“I was so fortunate to work with Zoë Kravitz on her first movie,” says Davis. “She’s going to be a top director. I’m thrilled to be a part of something that reflects my values.”

I had a fun chat with Davis about the festival, and she even teased a bit about her upcoming Duffer Brothers’ project, The Boroughs. Watch or listen below!