The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff announced that “The Shine King,” a 2025 UAPB TV documentary, has been officially selected for screening at the Denton Black Film Festival.
“The Shine King” will be presented at 1:05 p.m. Jan. 30 as a college short and as part of the “Becoming Ourselves Shorts” showcase. The screening will take place at the Campus Theatre in downtown Denton, Texas.
Directed by UAPB fall 2025 graduate Mari’Neisha Hardrick, “The Shine King” marks her directorial debut and celebrates Larry Ellis, a local shoe-shining professional.
Ellis is a longtime Pine Bluff resident whose decades of dedication to the craft have made him a beloved figure in the community, according to a news release.
“The film celebrates Ellis’ legacy while also recognizing shoe shining as a potentially dying art — one rooted in pride, discipline, and personal connection. Through intimate storytelling, the film honors tradition, perseverance, and community pride,” according to the release.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The documentary was created in collaboration with UAPB’s Multimedia Communications Department and Hardrick, who served as UAPB student director. The project was also featured during UAPB Homecoming 2025, offering alumni, students and the campus community an early opportunity to experience the film.
The in-person festival will take place Jan. 28 through Feb. 1, followed by extended virtual screenings Feb. 1-8.
Hardrick’s work continues to reach and inspire others, according to the release. She shared advice for filmmakers.
“Take advantage of our resources and the Multimedia Communications Department,” Hardrick said. “They are always willing to help you grow as a filmmaker and a student. I enjoyed the projects I had the chance to lead; seeing the end results is always the most precious part. Learn all you can and be proud of the work that you do. I am excited to see what more is to come with the film club and the department as a whole.”
“UAPB congratulates UAPB TV, Mari’Neisha Hardrick, and all those involved in The Shine King on this exciting achievement and looks forward to seeing the Pine Bluff story shine on a national stage,” according to the release.
The Denton Black Film Festival is a hybrid festival that brings together filmmakers, industry leaders, emerging artists, and film enthusiasts to celebrate Black storytelling, according to the festival’s website.
“The 2026 festival theme, ‘Hope and Courage,’ reflects the power of hope to dream and envision what’s possible, paired with the courage to take action and bring those visions to life,” according to the release.
The official trailer of “The Shine King” can be seen on UAPB’s YouTube channel. Tickets for the screening and the complete schedule for the 2026 Denton Black Film Festival schedule can be found on the festival’s website.