2026

April 23-26

The 2026 festival drew 12 out-of-state filmmakers to Omaha for a weekend of celebration in the Benson Creative District. The Friday night short film block marked our first sellout screening. A packed crowd joined us Sunday evening for our first-ever awards ceremony. We recorded our highest attendance yet and set the tone for the future of Benson Film Fest.

  • First Awards Ceremony

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2025

April 25-27

Four out-of-state filmmakers—including our first international attendee—made the trip to Omaha for the 2025 festival. This year’s programming included our first student film block and COWGIRL EASTERN took the stage for Benson Film Fest’s first-ever live music performance. Were you there for the surprise Saturday night pizza party?

  • First Student Film Block

  • First live music performance

  • First international filmmaker attendee

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2024

April 26-28

With supportive feedback following the 2023 festival, Benson Film Fest expands to a 3-day event at the Benson Theatre. Film programming includes international films for the first time. Local comedian Lauren Vana took the stage for some laughs before Friday night’s feature film.

  • Festival expands to 3-day event

  • First international film programming

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2023

May 19-20

The Benson Film Festival makes the long-anticipated move to the Benson Theatre. New York-based filmmaker Chris Toro becomes the first out-of-state filmmaker to make the trek to Omaha for the festival. Chris would later return to the Omaha for the 2026 festival.

  • Festival moves to Benson Theatre

  • First out-of-state filmmaker attendee

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2021

May 14

The Benson Film Festival debuts at BFF Omaha’s PETSHOP Gallery in Benson. The first edition of the festival is small, intimate, and full of energy as a packed room enjoys 34 films from local and national filmmakers. Intermission entertainment was provided by an improv comedy group from The Backline Comedy Theatre.

Our endless gratitude to the original festival crew: Ben Matukewicz, Michael Hennings, Reid Doehling, Ross Doehling, and Jon Tschida

  • First edition of the Benson Film Festival is held at PETSHOP Gallery

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2019

October 13

The Benson Film Festival was established in October by Ben Matukewicz. The filmmaker made the decision to start the festival on the drive home following the conclusion of the 2019 Prairie Lights Film Festival in Grand Island, Nebraska—which came to an end after 7 years in operation.

  • Benson Film Festival is established

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