What is POV?

Welcome to POV Fest 2025, the festival by filmmakers, for filmmakers! Formerly known as Arkansas Shorts, POV Fest has evolved into an action-packed cinematic celebration designed to connect, inspire, and empower regional storytellers. What began 18 years ago as a humble screening to showcase Arkansas-made films has now grown into a vibrant event packed with over unforgettable films, panels, workshops, parties, and special guests—all taking place at the historic Malco Theatre from January 3-5, 2025.

POV Fest is more than just a festival; it’s a space where filmmakers can connect, share, and grow, celebrating the dedication and persistence required to bring a vision to the screen. This festival is a celebration of the art of cinema, fostering brave storytelling, nurturing talent, and sparking new collaborations. Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker or a seasoned creator, POV Fest is here to inspire and empower you. Join us for an unforgettable experience as we honor the power of storytelling and the filmmakers who make it happen!

WHAT DOES PERSISTENCE OF VISION MEAN?

Persistence of Vision (POV) refers to the phenomenon where an image or visual impression remains on the retina for a brief period after the actual image has disappeared. This effect occurs because the human eye and brain take a small amount of time to process visual information, leading to a temporary retention of the image.

In the context of motion pictures, this effect is crucial in creating the illusion of continuous motion. When a series of still images (such as frames in a film reel or digital frames) are shown rapidly in succession, the persistence of vision blends them together, making the images appear to move fluidly, even though they are discrete still frames. Typically, this happens at a rate of around 24 frames per second (fps) in traditional cinema.

Meet the Team