Rosemead Wins Bentonville: Lucy Liu Film Takes Top Prize
Lucy Liu triumphs at the Bentonville Film Festival! Her performance in “Rosemead” earned her the Best Narrative Feature award, a well-deserved recognition. This marks a notable win for the actress and the film, wich focuses on a mother’s difficult choices. Director Eric Lin’s work sparked important conversations. The festival, backed by Walmart and Coca-Cola, also spotlighted “Adult Children” and “The Librarians,” showcasing diverse storytelling.”Sovereign” took home the best Homegrown Feature.News Directory 3 keeps you informed on these exciting developments.Explore upcoming releases and the festival’s commitment to championing underrepresented voices. Discover what’s next …
Lucy Liu’s ‘Rosemead’ Takes Top Prize at Bentonville Film Festival
Updated June 22, 2025
The 11th annual Bentonville Film Festival, supported by Walmart and Coca-Cola, concluded Saturday with Lucy Liu receiving the Best Narrative Feature award for her performance in “Rosemead.” Liu also received the Rising to the Challenge Award, recognizing her support for self-reliant film and underrepresented stories.
Directed by Eric Lin, “Rosemead,” which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival earlier this month, focuses on a mother facing a tough decision. The jury praised Lin’s film for sparking conversations about society through an intimate portrayal of true events in the San Gabriel Valley.
The dramedy “Adult Children,” directed by Rich Newey and written by Annika Marks, earned a special jury mention for its ensemble cast. The film, which premiered at the festival, follows three adult siblings, played by Betsy Brandt, Thomas Sadoski, and Aya Cash, as they care for their addicted brother, Josh, portrayed by Sadoski. Mimi Rogers and Olemich Tugas also star.
David Fortune’s “Color book,” a story about a widowed father and his son, received a special jury mention for directorial vision. the jury lauded Fortune’s command of visuals and storytelling.
Kim A. Snyder’s “The Librarians,” a documentary about book banning, won Best Documentary. Sam Feder’s “Heightened Scrutiny,” focusing on civil rights lawyer Chase Strangio’s advocacy for trans rights, received a Special Jury Mention.
Christian Swegal’s “Sovereign,” starring Nick Offerman,Dennis Quaid,Martha Plimpton,and Jacob Tremblay,won the Best Homegrown Feature award,a new category for films made in Arkansas. The film depicts a father and son in an extremist group confronting the police. “Beyond the Ashes: An Adaptive Trail Story,” directed by Brock Wagner and tim Johnson, received a Special Jury Mention (Homegrown).
Other winners included “Born 2 Lose,” directed by Carlos Cardona, for Best Episodic, and “Lovin’ Her” for Best Short Film.”view From the Floor,” directed by Megan Griffiths and Mindie Lind, and “Tender Thoughts,” directed by Anndi Jinelle Liggett, received Special Jury Mentions.
What’s next
The Bentonville Film Festival, which began June 16, showcased 28 films and nine world premieres. The BFFoundation, in partnership with the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, continues its mission to champion diverse storytellers in the film industry.