Documentary fest passes now on sale

Passes are now on sale for the 26th annual Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival Oct. 6-15 at the Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa.

This year’s celebrity guests include Werner Herzog, the acclaimed screenwriter, film director, author, and actor.

The festival received 1,179 documentary submissions, and HSDFF leaders are putting the final touches on the 2017 slate, a news release said.

Additional prominent attendees and films will be announced in the coming weeks.

HSDFF has also announced Mountain Valley Spring Water as the 2017 festival’s presenting sponsor. Mountain Valley has been a longtime HSDFF supporter on many levels, the release said.

“We are very excited to be the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival presenting sponsor for 2017, and thrilled to continue to build on our relationship with this important event and organization. Mountain Valley Spring Water believes strongly in the film festival goal of highlighting the art of documentary film making and ultimately bringing cultural and social enrichment to our community and state,” said Stephan Williams, Mountain Valley Spring Water director of marketing.

“The Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa looks forward to being the host sponsor for the sixth straight year and many more years to come,” Arlington general manager Bob Martorana said in the release. “This has been a great partnership and venue for all the guests, filmmakers and volunteers. We are excited about the future success of the HSDFF and the plans for the hotel.”

Festivalgoers looking to book rooms in advance will find special rates online at http://www.arlingtonhotel.com using the special code HSDOC, or may call the hotel directly at 800-643-1502.