Katie Aselton Debuts Latest Feature at Bentonville
Starring Daveed Diggs, a new desert-set drama finds its way to Skylight Cinema on June 19!
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Behind The Lens
Thursday night’s lineup at Skylight Cinema will feature Magic Hour, the latest film written, directed by and starring Katie Aselton. The screening takes place at 9:30 pm on June 19 as part of the Narrative Competition at the 2025 Bentonville Film Festival. Tickets are available through the festival’s official program link in bio.
Aselton, best known for her breakout role in the FX sitcom The League and her directorial debut Black Rock (2012), returns behind the camera with an intimate drama set against the sun-bleached landscape of the Southwest. She co-wrote the screenplay, which centers on Erin and Charlie—portrayed by Aselton herself and co-star Keean Johnson—as they seek solitude in the desert to navigate an unexpected and challenging chapter of their relationship.
Daveed Diggs On Screen
Joining Aselton in Magic Hour is Daveed Diggs, the Tony Award–winning actor and rapper who shot to fame originating the roles of Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson in Hamilton on Broadway. According to his official biography, Diggs won the 2016 Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical and has since appeared in films such as Blindspotting (2018) and voiced characters in Disney’s Raya and the Last Dragon (2021). He also served as an executive producer on PBS’s Emmy-contender The Class, which charts high school students’ college journeys during the pandemic.
In Magic Hour, Diggs plays Charlie, whose decision to escape to the desert triggers a series of revelations for the couple. While maintaining his signature energy, he offers a more introspective turn, aligning with the festival’s emphasis on fresh storytelling voices.
Festival Spotlight: Bentonville
Founded in 2015 by Academy Award winner Geena Davis, the Bentonville Film Festival spotlights underrepresented perspectives in film and advertising, with a special focus on female and diverse creators. The Narrative Competition is one of the festival’s cornerstones, showcasing features that blend bold themes and inventive storytelling.
Festival director Trevor Drinkwater described this year’s slate as “our strongest lineup yet,” adding that Magic Hour “captures raw emotion through a minimalist lens.” The Skylight Cinema at Bentonville’s new arts district is hosting nightly screenings throughout the week, accompanied by Q&As with filmmakers and panels on inclusive production practices.
Magic Hour’s inclusion underscores both Aselton’s growing reputation as a filmmaker and Diggs’s versatility across stage, screen and music. It also marks the pair’s first major collaboration since Diggs earned widespread acclaim for his work in the indie hit Blindspotting, where he co-wrote and starred alongside Rafael Casal.
Beyond Bentonville, Magic Hour is expected to tour international festivals later this summer, with distribution talks already underway. Aselton and Diggs have expressed hopes that the film’s exploration of relationship dynamics and personal reinvention will resonate across cultures.
Tickets for the June 19 screening can be purchased through the Bentonville Film Festival website. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early, as seating at Skylight Cinema is limited and often sells out during the Narrative Competition.
As Magic Hour prepares for its festival premiere, viewers can look forward to witnessing two established talents—one behind the camera and one in front—unveil a contemplative story of love, change and the quiet power of the desert.
With Bentonville providing the perfect launchpad, Aselton’s new feature and Diggs’s compelling performance promise to be among the weekend’s must-see events.
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