Little Blue Film Festival Announces Inaugural Event in Hastings

HASTINGS, Neb. - The first-ever Little Blue Film Festival will take place October 16-17 in Hastings, bringing independent filmmakers and audiences together for a celebration of meaningful storytelling in central Nebraska.

Presented by the Hastings Community Arts Council, the festival will be held at The Lark Downtown, creating an intimate setting for film screenings, conversations with filmmakers, and community engagement around the art of cinema. Named after the Little Blue River region, the festival reflects the creativity, resilience, and sense of place that define Hastings and the surrounding prairie communities. 

“Little Blue Film Festival is about creating a space where stories can bring people together,” said festival organizer Jarod Rogers. “We want filmmakers and audiences to experience something meaningful here in Hastings, and this is an opportunity to spark conversations and remind us how important stories are.”

Film submissions opened March 15 on FilmFreeway, with categories for features, short films, documentaries, experimental films, and student films. Organizers encourage submissions from Nebraska and Midwestern filmmakers, while welcoming work from storytellers everywhere who connect with the festival’s spirit of community and authenticity.

In addition to screenings, the festival will feature filmmaker discussions and opportunities for local creatives to connect with visiting artists.

The Little Blue Film Festival is part of a broader effort to support and revitalize the arts in Hastings by creating new opportunities for collaboration, storytelling, and cultural exchange.

For more information about the Little Blue Film Festival or to set up an interview contact Jarod Rogers at [email protected]. 

Information is also available on the website at www.hastingsartscouncil.org/little-blue 

Festival Dates: October 16-17, 2026
Location: The Lark Downtown, Hastings, Nebraska
Submissions Open: March 15 via FilmFreeway