The remainder of the offerings of the 21st annual Tallgrass Film Festival presented by Archer Hotels, were announced today. The festival will be held October 5-8, in downtown Wichita. With a mix of free and paid events and extensive educational programming, the Festival brings thousands of visitors to the city annually. Tickets and Tallpasses are on sale now at https://TallgrassFilm.org/ for all events. All films at the Advanced Learning Library are presented fee with support of Evergy.

The Festival hosts more than 184 films for this 21st edition. Continued partnerships with the Orpheum Theatre, Temple Live (Scottish Rite), Exploration Place, the Advanced Learning Library (all downtown on 1st Street), and Ulrich Museum (on WSU campus) as host venues will be joined by WSU TECH: Niche (124 S. Broadway) as a new venue with a welcome return to the Wichita Art Museum (1400 Museum Blvd.) this year. The Festival is also partnering with the Prairie Fire Race Marathon on Sunday to support runners and to make for a lively downtown weekend. 

SPOTLIGHTS FOCUS ON KANSAS; THE IMPORTANCE OF INDEPENDENCE IN FILM

Among this announcement’s highlights are the World Premiere of the feature film FAR FROM HOME made by local Regina Klenjoski Dance Company and the opening night film THE PEOPLE’S JOKER with special guest, director Vera Drew. Filmmaker, Sav Rodgers, returns to Kansas with CHASING CHASING AMY as well as the Kansas films NIGHT SCREAMS and LETTERS FROM HOME. Other highlights include Stubbornly Independent Winner HP Mendoza’s latest, THE SECRET ART OF HUMAN FLIGHT, and festival favorite KAREN CARPENTER: STARVING FOR PERFECTION.

Short film highlights include 7 Minutes from comedian Ricky Gervais (“The Office”), Robert & Billie, a love story set in Nicodemus, Kansas; Mahogany Drive, a short film created by from the Astronomy Club sketch group and produced by Academy Award-winner Andrew Carlberg. Closing Time has Demi Adejuyigbe, known for his “September 21” videos. And Geoff Ross, a comedian, who writes, directs and stars in This is About the Census.tember 21” videos, and Geoff Ross, a comedian, who writes, directs and stars in This is About the Census.

“The spotlight films are a collection of movies that reflect the multifaceted nature of the Tallgrass Film Festival. From a Midwest-grown film years in the making such as LETTERS HOME, to an amazing biopic about artist Joan Miró, MIRÓ, which details the artist´s life whose art is anchored in Wichita´s history. The documentary CHASING CHASING AMY, which debuted at Tribeca, explores pop culture inside self-discovery by an alum and friend of the Festival, Sav Rodgers. We also have a lovely documentary FAR FROM HOME that tackles identity through dance made by members of the local Regina Klenjoski Dance Company, and our opening night film, THE PEOPLE´S JOKER, a story that is both in front of the camera and behind the scenes an example of the Stubbornly Independent spirit that Tallgrass continues to champion,” Head Programmer Andre Seward said.

UNDERSTANDING, AND CONTINUING TO STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH STRIKING GUILDS

Nationally, the Festival has focused on the important issues that the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes are raising and supporting the filmmakers during this time. Panels on the issues and other topics were announced on the website along with the jury (https://tallgrassfilm.org/tallgrass-21st-announces-jury-and-panels/).  Any SAG-AFTRA card members in Kansas can also receive complimentary passes or tickets if they reach out to the Festival this year. 

Read on to learn more about the full lineup here.

The Elephant 6 Recording Co.

The unique inside story of the collective creative evolution behind the sounds of 1990s psychedelic rock bands Olivia Tremor Control, Neutral Milk Hotel, and The Apples in Stereo — the founding groups behind the Elephant 6 collective, as well as a host of other artists — with inspirational resonance for today’s music makers, and music lovers everywhere.

Presented by Spektrum Muzik
Get tickets here! 

September 8: VHSCape Office Space + Bonus Feature 7 pm 
September 9: Natural Born Killers Presented by the Gate Record Store - 7 pm 
September 13: Twilight Presented by Madame Mae's Horror Frights at 7:30 pm 
September 14: Boy Next Door Presented by Hurts so Good at 7 pm 
September 16: Philadelphia Story Presented by Harmons & Hollywood at 3 pm

 

Join us for our Free community screening of Coco with our partner Empower at the Evergreen Library is Sponsored by Alicia Sanchez

Activities will begin at 5:30pm with the Movie playing at 6:15pm.

Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz. Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector, and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel's family history.
Get your free tickets here.

Want to spend time with your closest 30 friends in a comfy setting? Join us for a private rental anytime of year! Reach out for any questions or available dates and check our public google calendar here to see when we are free! Tallgrass Public Calendar.