Geena Davis: A Hollywood Icon Championing Diversity Through the Bentonville Film Festival

Hollywood is known for its stars, and one of its brightest is undoubtedly Geena Davis. An Academy Award-winning actress, Davis’s illustrious career spans decades, featuring roles in iconic films such as “The Fly,” “Beetlejuice,” “Thelma & Louise,” and “The Accidental Tourist.” Her performances have not only entertained audiences worldwide but have also left an indelible mark on the film industry. Yet, Davis’s influence extends beyond the silver screen. She has emerged as a powerful advocate for gender equality in media, tirelessly working to improve the representation of women in film and television.

In 2004, Davis founded the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, an organization dedicated to addressing the lack of representation and opportunities for women in Hollywood. Through groundbreaking research, the institute has highlighted the underrepresentation and stereotyping of female characters, contributing significantly to the conversation around gender in media.

But Davis’s commitment to promoting diversity in the film industry doesn’t stop there. In 2015, she co-founded the Bentonville Film Festival. Held annually in northwest Arkansas, this festival champions women and diverse voices in media. It is the only film competition in the world that offers guaranteed…