A New Home for BisonBison

BisonBison Film Festival finds a new home at the historic Burford Theatre in Arkansas City, Kansas.

An early photo of the historic Burford Theatre.

Arkansas City's Burford Theatre is the new home of the BisonBison Film Festival, and they are working hard in preparation of the annual BisonBison Film Festival to be held April 1-3, 2022. 

The story of the Burford begins when J.R. Burford and stockholders decided that Arkansas City needed a theatre of beauty and character. The Burford was designed by the Boller Brothers who chose a Spanish Renaissance theme to develop the interior decor of the theatre. They wisely chose to build a second building to house retail businesses and offices to support the expenses of running the theatre. The Burford Theatre was opened on September 15, 1924 at 6:00pm featuring the silent movie, "The Perfect Flapper," starring Coleen Moore. Over 2,000 people attended the opening that evening in the 1,200 seat theatre. 
In the early years, the theatre staff went above & beyond when it comes to special effects. They even placed a caged crocodile in the lobby during showings of a swamp movie! While the Burford has always been home to more than just movies, cinema is a mainstay of the heart of its history. Over the years through changes of management and ownership, the beautiful design elements that originally adorned the building were slowly covered up and done away with, culminating in the buliding being divided into a three screen movie theater. In early 2004, B & B Theaters donated the Buford Theatre building to the Arkansas City Area Arts Council, and a dream for restoring the historic architectural centerpiece of downtown Arkansas City was formed. 
It took thirteen years of hard work, but on September 29, 2016 at 2:00pm, the Burford Theatre was dedicated and the doors were opened once again. A new generation now gets to enjoy this magical place through all kinds of special events from concerts to theatrical productions to private parties and of course, movies! In the spirit of carrying on the tradition in the restored 1924 version of the theatre, the Burford Theatre Arts Board of Directors couldn't be more thrilled to be hosting the BisonBison Film Festival for the first time in April 2022. 

BisonBison Film Festival is accepting submissions now for the 2022 festival! Be sure to get your submission in by December 17 for the Earlybird Deadline, or by February 4 for the regular submission deadline. Submissions can be made here.