A Weekend with Memphis Filmmaker Craig Brewer

Contact: Kody Ford 479-225-2152

Arkansas Cinema Society to Host a Weekend with Memphis Filmmaker Craig Brewer

Writer/director to screen two hit films, host workshops and talkback sessions

(LITTLE ROCK, July 20, 2023)  – The Arkansas Cinema Society (ACS) and the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts (AMFA) welcome Southern filmmaker Craig Brewer to Little Rock on August 11-12, 2023. Brewer will screen two of his movies – Hustle & Flow (2005) The Poor & Hungry (2000) – at AMFA’s Performing Arts Theater. While at the museum, Brewer will also participate in Q As and a writing and directing workshop. Admission varies per event. More information and tickets can be found at ArkansasCinemaSociety.org

“I’m really looking forward to making the trip down I-40 because there’s a connective tissue in the DIY aesthetic of Little Rock and Memphis,” Brewer said. “I’m looking forward to meeting some of the up-and-coming Arkansas filmmakers who are out there making things happen on their own. It is possible to make your own path and tell authentic stories. I’ll be talking about how I did it and hopefully that will inspire more Southern storytellers.”

On Friday, Aug. 11th, Hustle and Flow–starring Terrance Howard and Ludacris–will screen in the Performing Arts Theater at AMFA. In the film, a Memphis pimp in a mid-life crisis attempts to become a successful hip-hop emcee with a little help from his friends. This film is recommended for mature audiences. Admission is $20. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and the show starts at 6:30. A Q A with Brewer will follow the screening. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door.

Brewer will teach a workshop on writing and directing from 4:00-5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 12th. This unique opportunity invites aspiring filmmakers and storytellers to delve into the creative process under the guidance of a seasoned industry professional. With a career spanning over two decades, Brewer has established himself as a masterful storyteller, known for his distinctive voice and captivating narratives. Admission is $20 for the workshop. 

Later that evening, catch Brewer’s debut film, The Poor & Hungry–starring Eric Tate, Lindsey Roberts and Lake Latimer–which tells the story of a Memphis car thief, who falls in love with one of his victims. This film is recommended for mature audiences. Admission is $10. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door.

“The Arkansas Cinema Society is thrilled to welcome the immensely talented Craig Brewer for an entire weekend dedicated to his extraordinary films,” said ACS Executive Director Kathryn Tucker. “As an avid admirer of his work, it is truly exciting to witness the achievements of this exceptional filmmaker who hails from our neighboring city of Memphis. We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to celebrate Brewer’s remarkable filmography and gain insights from his immense talent and expertise. This special event promises to be an enlightening and inspiring experience for all attendees.”

About Craig Brewer

Craig Brewer is an American filmmaker. His 2005 movie Hustle & Flow won the Audience Award at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival and achieved commercial success, along with an Academy Award for Best Original Song, “It’s Hard out Here for a Pimp.” He is also known for directing the 2011 remake of Footloose, the 2019 film Dolemite Is My Name and the 2021 film Coming 2 America; the latter two starring Academy Award-nominee Eddie Murphy.

About Arkansas Cinema Society

Arkansas Cinema Society (ACS) is a non-profit committed to building a film community in Arkansas where film lovers can watch films, share ideas, connect with each other, and nurture the new and existing film talent within our state through increased exposure to filmmakers and their art. Memberships are available to the public at large who may wish to dive into educational videos, member-only tickets, movie swag, and more. Those interested in supporting ACS can visit their website at www.arkansascinemasociety.org. 

About the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts

Founded in 1937, the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts is the largest cultural institution of its kind in the state, offering a unique blend of visual and performing arts experiences. AMFA is committed to featuring diverse media and artistic perspectives within its permanent collection of 14,000 works of art as well as through rotating temporary exhibitions. AMFA’s international collection spans seven centuries, with strengths in works on paper and contemporary craft, and includes notable holdings by artists from Arkansas, the Mid-South region, and across the United States and Europe. With a vibrant mix of ideas, cultures, people, and places, AMFA extends this commitment to diversity through its dynamic children’s theatre and performing arts program, the innovative Windgate Art School, and community-focused educational programs for all ages. Located in Little Rock’s oldest urban green space, MacArthur Park, AMFA’s landmark building and grounds are designed by Studio Gang and SCAPE, in collaboration with Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects.