Old News

Feb Third Thursday: CSA: Confederate States of America

WAMPA, the Tallgrass Film Festival and the Ulrich Museum are bringing Kevin Willmott's CSA: The Confederate States of America to WSU's CAC Theater on 6 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 18 as the February Tallgrass Third Thursday screening. This event is free as part of the public programs offered in conjunction with the exhibit Crossroads: The Art of Gordon Parks and the film series accompanying that exhibit: Black Films that Challenge/Black Films that Matter. [More]

WAMPA names new executive director

The Wichita Association for the Motion Picture Arts has named Mike Marlett as Executive Director for 2010. Marlett has been a board member of WAMPA since 2005, when he was the editor-in-chief of the Wichita-based alternative weekly newspaper F5 and later The Wichita City Paper. He is the first person to formally hold the title since festival founder Timothy Gruver died unexpectedly in 2005. Lela Meadow-Conner will return for a fourth year as director of the Tallgrass Film Festival. [more]

American Idol in Afghanistan? You bet!

WAMPA and WSU's International Education present a special screening of the acclaimed British-Afghan documentary, Afghan Star, at 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 28 in the CAC Theater at Wichita State University's Rhatigan Student Center. Tickets are $9 general admission ($7 for seniors) with special prices of $5 for WSU faculty/ staff and $2 for college and high school students with I.D. [More]

Final Friday @ Bruce Ward Gallery: 2009 Tallgrass Film Fest in Photos!

Bruce Ward Gallery presents over 600 photographs from the 2009 Tallgrass Film Festival with music by Raleigh Hinman & Nick Wagner, snacks & wine! Plus, enter to win a pair of VIP All Access Passes to the 2010 TFF!

7-10 p.m., Final Friday, Jan. 29 at the Bruce Ward Gallery, 239 S. Pattie

If you attended the 2009 Tallgrass Film Festival it's likely that you had your photograph taken by one of our six press corps photographers. Come out and relive the glory days and if you missed the festival or want to learn more about it, make your way down to the Bruce Ward Gallery this Friday night. The more than 600 photographs, taken from Opening to Closing Nights, will be presented on four LCD screens and a selection of Shorts from the '09 festival will also be screened. See some of the photos (and tag yourself!) on the Tallgrass facebook page

Tallgrass Third Thursdays Presents Nollywood Babylon in Conjunction with International Education Week

The latest film in the Tallgrass Third Thursdays screening series, Nollywood Babylon along with two favorite films from Tallgrass 2008 — Edge of Heaven and Captain Raed — in conjunction with International Education Week. [More]

Tickets on Sale!

The 2009 Tallgrass Film Festival tickets are now available for purchase online. Get All Access VIP passes, day passes and more:
Tallgrass at Select-A-Seat

Tickets are also available by calling (316) 755-7328 or by visiting the Orpheum Theatre Box office. Tickets will be available during the festival, (Oct. 23-25, 2009), at the Orpheum Theatre box office and Garvey Center box office. Ticket vouchers can be exchanged for tickets in person only at a box office location.
2009 Festival Ticket Prices
Looking for parking? Look here!

Tallgrass Announces Lineup And Event Details For 2009 Film Festival

The 2009 Tallgrass Film Festival lineup and event details were announced today at the festival’s press conference at The Orpheum Theatre.

Celebrating its seventh year, Tallgrass Film Festival will feature nearly one hundred films from throughout Kansas, across the U.S. and around the world during the three-day event, Oct. 23-25 at venues in and around downtown Wichita. [More]

Also ...
2009 Event & Screening Schedule
2009 Tallgrass Film Festival Official Selections [1.4 Mb pdf]
2009 Festival Event Grid [838k pdf]
Filmmakers and Special Guests Attending the 2009 Tallgrass Film Festival
The Ad Astra Astra Award Recipient 2009: Seymour Cassel
2009 Festival Ticket Prices
Full 2009 Tallgrass Film Festival press kit [7.9 Mb zip]

Tallgrass Film Festival Announces Ad Astra Award Recipient

Wichita Association for the Motion Picture Arts today announced that the 2009 Tallgrass Film Festival Ad Astra Award recipient will be legendary independent film actor Seymour Cassel.

Well-known as a contemporary and fellow traveler of John Cassavetes, Cassel was nominated for the 1968 Academy Award® for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Cassavetes' Faces.. Spanning more than 40 years and over one hundred films, Cassel's career also includes notable roles in The Killers, Dick Tracy, Honeymoon in Vegas, myriad films by Cassavetes, and, more recently, a number of Wes Anderson films including Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums, and The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.
[More]

Tallgrass on b-side

The 2009 Tallgrass Film Festival lineup and event details are now available in a fully interactive format. Set up your own downloadable calendar for the festival, see trailers, find details and more:
Tallgrass | Films | Schedule | Buzz | Personal Schedule

2009 Tallgrass Film Festival to Light Up Broadway

Wichita Association for the Motion Picture Arts (WAMPA) announced highlights of the 7th annual Tallgrass Film Festival, which will take place at locations in and around downtown Wichita, Oct. 23-25, 2009. This year's festival will showcase two of the city's downtown districts. The "Historic District" will feature screenings and events at venues including The Orpheum, Wichita Scottish Rite Temple, and Bank of America. The "River District" will feature screenings at Century II and the Garvey Center.
[More]

Kansas Filmmakers Represent at 2009 Fest

Kansas filmmaker and KU film professor Kevin Willmott's The Only Good Indian will open the 7th Annual Tallgrass Film Festival with special guests Willmott and actor Wes Studi (scheduled to attend). Set in Kansas during the early 1900s, a teen-aged Native American boy is taken from his family and forced to attend a distant Indian "training" school to assimilate into white society. When the boy escapes to return to his family, Sam Franklin (Studi), a bounty hunter of Cherokee descent who has renounced in Indian heritage and adopted the white man's way of life, is hired to find and return him to the institution. The Opening Night Gala presented by Naked City, includes the screening, Q&A and after party at the Wichita Executive Center.

Saturday Night's spotlight at the Orpheum features a screening of Kansas filmmaker Steve Balderson's Underbelly. The film documents the world of belly dancing and chronicles the story of internationally acclaimed belly dance icon Pleasant Gehman (aka Princess Farhana). The film will be followed by a Q&A and live belly dancing exhibition featuring Farhana.

Sunday's screenings include the popular Timothy Gruver Spotlight on Kansas Filmmakers.

(VIP All-Access Passes for the 2009 Tallgrass Film Festival are just $150 for three full days of indie films and parties, and include all screenings and galas PLUS VIP events like the Mayor's Filmmaker Chili Feed at Cowtown, Access to the VIP Filmmaker Lounge all weekend and Sunday's Filmmaker Brunch.)
[More]

Impact of the American slave trade explored in Traces of the Trade film and related events

Wichita Association for the Motion Picture Arts and Tallgrass Film Festival will screen Traces of the Trade: a Story of the Deep North for the September installment of the Tallgrass Third Thursday film series. The screening will be held at 7 p.m., Sept. 17, 2009 at the Warren Theatre West, 9150 W. 21st St. A panel discussion will immediately follow the screening. Tickets are $9 general admission and $7 for students and seniors and will go on sale Sept. 10 at the theater. The film's director, Katrina Browne, and producer, Juanita Brown, will visit Wichita to participate in a number of events, including the screening and panel discussion following the film. The panel will discuss slavery's impact on American society and the issue of reparations. Browne and Brown will also participate in classroom discussions, at a Wichita State University Special Collections workshop featuring slave related documents, and in a community potluck at St. James Episcopal Church.

Third Thursday Screening: The Wrecking Crew
with special guest, director Denny Tedesco

Wichita Association for the Motion Picture Arts (WAMPA) and Tallgrass Film Festival will present a special encore screening of The Wrecking Crew, the 2008 Tallgrass Film Festival Audience Feature Award winner as the Tallgrass Third Thursday selection for August. It will screen at 7:30 p.m., August 20 at the Warren West Theatre, 9150 W. 21st St. Tickets for the screening are $9 general admission and $7 for students and seniors and go on sale Thursday, Aug. 13, exclusively at the Warren West. The film's director, Denny Tedesco, will introduce the film, and participate in a question and answer session.
[More about The Wrecking Crew] [More about Third Thursday]

Want more Fuel?

During our July Third Thursday Special Screening of Fuel panel discussion, Director Josh Tickell shared specific information on how to get involved in the Fuel Movement and how to get the Fuel movie to return to Wichita theaters. Get informed and take action by visiting the film's official website and the veggie van website.
Here are the Top 10 Things YOU CAN DO NOW [More about Third Thursday]

Dear Tallgrass Fan and Supporters:

We have been touched by your overwhelming response to our change of location. Rest assured that Tallgrass Film Festival will continue, and although there will be slight changes to the schedule, events will only be moved, not eliminated. The Tallgrass staff and board of directors have been working to secure alternative locations and things are falling into place nicely. We are delighted that we can continue to bring you the nation's most stubbornly independent film festival with all of the fun you have come to expect.

We have concerns, however, about the response the news has generated towards our former host, Bill Warren and the Warren Theaters. Warren Theaters was home to the Tallgrass Film Festival for the first six years, and during that time Mr. Warren provided the theaters to us at no charge. We are indebted to him for his generosity. Warren Theatres has offered many opportunities for Wichita film fans to see independent films.

Don't get us wrong. We will miss Mr. Warren's state-of-the-art theaters, (and our patrons will miss the comfy seats). The Warren Theatres are some of the best in the nation and Tallgrass boasted some of the most advanced screening facilities of any film festival in the world. But the quality of our film programming, parties, and events will remain top-notch. This change of location gives us the opportunity to try out new events and reveal some of Wichita's coolest hidden treasures.

Thank you for your support and see you at the movies,
Ann Keefer
President
Wichita Association for the Motion Picture Arts

Third Thursday Screening: Fuel
with special guest, director Josh Tickell

Wichita Association for the Motion Picture Arts (WAMPA) and Tallgrass Film Festival will present a screening of Josh Tickell's documentary, Fuel, as the July offering in the Tallgrass Third Thursday series, at 7 p.m., July 16 at the Warren East Theatre (11611 E. 13th St.). Tickets for the screening are $9 general admission and $7 for students and seniors.
[More about Fuel] [More about Third Thursday]

Exciting New Details About The 2009 Tallgrass Film Festival!

The 7th annual Tallgrass Film Festival is right around the corner and we’re here to reveal some exciting details about this year’s festival, which takes place October 23-25 in and around downtown Wichita:

• Mayor Carl Brewer will follow up on the success of last year’s VIP BBQ by whipping up his award winning chili (his creation won the People’s Choice Award at last year’s Wagonmasters Chili Cookoff) for VIPs and visiting filmmakers at the “Mayor’s Welcome to Wichita VIP Chili Feed”!
• For all of you night owl’s, this year’s festival will feature not one but TWO MIDNIGHT SCREENINGS, on Friday and Saturday nights.
• Take in an indie film and a round of golf all in one day. We’ll be transforming the Farm & Art Market Plaza in Old Town Square into a nine-hole mini golf course designed as a map of Kansas – featuring our fine state’s “quirky” roadside attractions like the Big Ball of Twine and the Garden of Eden. Fore!
• After last year’s incredible finale, the 2009 Closing Night Gala on October 25th will once again take place at WSU’s Ulrich Museum of Art. Gala details coming soon...
• ALL ACCESS Festival Passes, which include all screenings, galas and VIP events are just $150 for the entire weekend!!

Movies & Shakers: Tallgrass & Wichita In The News

• Wichita was featured in the latest issue of MovieMaker Magazine as an up and coming film production hub. In the article, “Increased Incentives”, ICTs own IMG (Integrated Media Group), a digital graphics company (and one of the original sponsors of the Tallgrass Film Festival) whose work has appeared in major Hollywood blockbusters like Transformers, Iron Man and Get Smart, and WAMPA  (Wichita Association for the Motion Picture Arts) are cited as existing infrastructures “for success”!
• Congratulations to former Tallgrass Film Festival Associate Producer Lee Whitman who is the proud winner of an EMMY AWARD for his Community/Public Service (PSA) – Single Spot on the BBB Military Line. You can check out Lee’s award-winning work here.

2009 Tallgrass Film Festival Announces Call For Submissions

The Wichita Association for the Motion Picture Arts (WAMPA) and the Tallgrass Film Festival announced their call for submissions for the 7th Annual Tallgrass Film Festival to be held October 23-25 in Wichita, Kansas at the Warren Old Town Theatres and other downtown venues. Over the last six years, more than 25,000 local and regional attendees and over 200 filmmakers from Kansas and all over the world have enjoyed the region’s premiere independent film festival.

WAMPA also announced their cash awards: $1,000 will be given to the Audience Award Winning Feature Film, and $500 will be awarded to the Audience Award Winning Short Film.

[More] ...

Third Thursday Screening: Fuel
with special guest, director Josh Tickell

Wichita Association for the Motion Picture Arts (WAMPA) and Tallgrass Film Festival will present a screening of Josh Tickell's documentary, Fuel, as the July offering in the Tallgrass Third Thursday series, at 7 p.m., July 16 at the Warren East Theatre (11611 E. 13th St.). Tickets for the screening are $9 general admission and $7 for students and seniors.
[More about Fuel] [More about Third Thursday]

Cinema Alfresco: FREE Movies Under the Stars

WAMPA’s FREE Cinema Alfresco series continues at the Brickyard throughout June and July. Movies will screen at 8 p.m. rain or shine and are preceded by a Tallgrass Film Festival short film. Doors and kitchen open at 7 p.m. Specials include $3 Tallgrass and Stella Artois Draws and $5 Brickyard Burger and Fries. Under 21 welcome.
June 25: THELMA & LOUISE (USA, 1991, 129 mins.), Dir. Ridley Scott, Starring Susan Sarandon & Geena Davis
July 2: DEATH PROOF (USA, 2007, 114 mins), Dir. Quentin Tarantino, Starring Kurt Russell & Rosario Dawson
July 9: THE SURE THING (USA, 1985, 100 mins.), Dir. Rob Reiner, Starring John Cusack & Tim Robbins
[More about Cinema Alfresco]

Third Thursday Screening: Outrage
in honor of Gay Pride Week

Wichita Association for the Motion Picture Arts (WAMPA) and Tallgrass Film Festival will present a screening of Kirby Dick's controversial documentary, Outrage, as the June offering in the Tallgrass Third Thursday series. This newly released film will show one time only in conjunction with Gay Pride Week, at 7:30 p.m., June 18 at the Warren West Theatre, 9150 W. 21st Street, in Wichita, Kan. Tickets for the screening are $9 general admission and $7 for students and seniors.
[More about Outrage] [More about Third Thursday]

Third Thursday Screening: The Jazz Baroness for Jazz Appreciation Month, FREE

The Wichita Association for the Motion Picture Arts (WAMPA) and Tallgrass Film Festival will present a special preview screening of the just completed film, “The Jazz Baroness,” in celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month. As part of Tallgrass Third Thursdays, this brand new British documentary will screen at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, April 16 at the Warren East Theater. In honor of the preview status of this screening — one of the very first in the United States — tickets are FREE of charge for everyone. Tickets are available at the Warren East box office starting April 9. [More about The Jazz Baroness] [More about Third Thursday]

Cinema Alfresco lineup announced

The 2009 Cinema Alfresco season will take place at 8 p.m. Thursdays from May 28 through July 9 with the exception of June 18. All screenings are presented at The Brickyard, 129 North Rock Island, and are free of charge.

The theme, “Roadside Attractions: It’s the Journey, Not the Destination,” includes films that feature brothers on a mission and sisters in crime, as well as the five-Oscar-winning classic It Happened One Night (1934) starring Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert, and the John Cusack favorite, The Sure Thing (1985). A complete season schedule follows.
[Complete Schedule]

Third Thursday Screening: Mother of Mine
in celebration of mothers everywhere

The Wichita Association for the Motion Picture Arts (WAMPA) and Tallgrass Film Festival will present the Finnish film Mother of Mine. This historical narrative, selected as Finland’s nominee for the 2005 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, will screen at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 21 at the Warren East Theater. Tickets for the screening are $9 general admission and $7 for students and seniors.
[More about Mother of Mine] [More about Third Thursday]

The Guts and Bolts of DIY Filmmaking

Dive in head first with the real time production of a feature-length zombie movie being made in Wichita. KPTS producer Stacey Jenkins will cover preproduction basics with writer/director Rodrick Pocowatchit covering production basics and bringing students up-to-date on the film’s journey to production so far. Learn how a bare bones production can come to life with little money and a lot of spirit in this six session class, starting May 26. Students will spend two sessions with each instructor and two days on the set as part of the film’s crew. [More about the WAMPA Filmmakers Academy]

Showing of Arlo Guthrie’s Alice’s Restaurant to benefit Tallgrass Film Festival

Arlo Guthrie’s iconic anti-war film, Alice’s Restaurant, will be screened at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 14 at The Orpheum, 200 N. Broadway. The event, a fundraiser for Tallgrass Film Festival, is presented by The Orpheum and OutSide A Dog promotion company. Tickets are $8 general admission and will be sold at the door the night of the screening. The fundraiser is co-sponsored by KEYN, The Wichita Blues Society, KIPCOR, The Peace and Social Justice Center, Naked City, InterFaith Ministries and The Orpheum Theatre.[More]

Third Thursday Screening: "A Powerful Noise" in celebration of International Women's Day

UPDATE: The Third Thursday Screening of A Powerful Noise sold out.

The Wichita Association for the Motion Picture Arts (WAMPA) and Tallgrass Film Festival will screen, "A Powerful Noise," in celebration of International Women's Day and Women's History Month as part of the Third Thursday Film Series. The independent documentary film will be presented Thursday, March 19 at 7 p.m. at the Old Town Warren Theater, 353 N. Mead. Tickets are $9 general admission and $7 for students and seniors. The director, Tom Cappello, will introduce the film and answer questions following the screening. Attendees are invited to a reception after the Q&A session. Wichita State University's Center for Women's Studies is presenting sponsor for the event. [More]

Catch The Indie Spirit At The Wampa Spirit Awards Party, Feb. 21!

We know what you've been thinking, and now you DON'T HAVE TO WAIT until October for a killer, weekend-long party, Tallgrass-style!

The best deal in town...only $35 includes:
• Admission to the 3rd Thursday Special Screening of "THE ORDER OF MYTHS" on February 19th
• Admission to the 1st Annual "Spirit Awards Viewing Extravaganza" featuring a live broadcast of the 2009 Independent Spirit Awards, with complimentary adult beverages and hors d'oeuvres.
• An Annual WAMPA membership for 2009 (click here to learn about membership's exclusive benefits!)

Purchase tickets in advance with a credit card via Paypal by clicking the link to the right.

*Tickets will be available at the door on Thursday and Saturday by cash or check only. (Feel free to RSVP in advance to tmott1@cox.net)

*Are you already a WAMPA member? Attend both events for free and pick up your membership card at the door!

Thursday, February 19th: THE ORDER OF MYTHS

In case you missed it at the 2008 Tallgrass Film Festival, here's your chance to see the Independent Spirit Award nominee for "Best Documentary," THE ORDER OF MYTHS (2008, Dir. Margaret Brown, 97 mins.) on the big screen, just in time for Mardi Gras!

Join us for the first of our year-long 3rd Thursday Special Screening Series, February 19th at 7:30 PM at the 21st Street Warren Theatres (9150 West 21st Street). Tickets for this screening only will be sold at the door for $8.

"A wise and soberly affecting documentary...As big and richly complex as the United States itself." - Manohla Dargis, The New York Times

As winter turns to spring, Mobile, Alabama, buzzes and flutters with the floats, parades, masquerade balls, and secret mystic societies of Mardi Gras. The oldest Mardi Gras celebration in America, this timehonored ritual has always been racially segregated. Filmmaker Margaret Brown, herself a daughter of Mobile, escorts us into the parallel hearts of the city's two carnivals to explore the complex contours of this hallowed tradition and the elusive forces that keep it organized along color lines. Yet stories of a lynching as recent as 1981, and of the white Mardi Gras queen's slavetrading ancestors, as well as subtle interracial social codes, cast a shadow on the proud Mobile heritage the white residents invoke. - Sundance

Saturday, February 21st: SPIRIT AWARDS VIEWING EXTRAVAGANZA!

The Tallgrass Film Festival and WAMPA present the 1st Annual"Spirit Awards Viewing Extravaganza" featuring a broadcast of the 2009 Independent Spirit Awards live from the beach from Santa Monica, CA.

Join us from 3:30 PM- 6:30 PM at Tangent Lab (143 N. Rock Island, 3rd Floor) for complimentary adult beverages, beer provided byHouse of Schwan, and hors d'oeuvres.

We'll also be giving away 4 All Access Passes to the 2009 Tallgrass Film Festival, (valued at $150 each!)

Tickets for this event only are $35. Purchase in advance via Paypal by clicking here. Cash or check only at the door.

2009 Independent Spirit Award nominees include THE ORDER OF MYTHS (Best Documentary), an official selection of the 2008 Tallgrass Film Festival, as well as Director Margaret Brown, nominated for the "Truer Than Fiction" Award and Director Nina Paley for the "Someone to Watch Award" for her feature SITA SINGS THE BLUES, an official selection of the 2008 Tallgrass Film Festival.

Audience Award Winners!

The Audience has spoken! Votes were cast by the attending public after screenings of each film during the first three days of the Tallgrass Film Festival. Denny Tedesco’s documentary, The Wrecking Crew, about a group of Los Angeles studio musicians who played on nearly every hit album in the '60s and '70s, was named Audience Award Winning Feature Film. The Audience Award Winning Short Film was Mark Moormann’s Electric Revolution, which follows the birth of the electric guitar, in Wichita, coincidentally. The festival will re-show the most loved films in the afternoon on Sunday, Oct. 26.

• Winner: The Wrecking Crew with Electric Revolution - 1:45 p.m. at the 20th Century Center
• First runner-up: Alice, Upside Down - 4:15 p.m. at the Warren Old Town Theatre
• Second runner-up (tie): Call Me Troy - 1:45 p.m. at the Warren Old Town Theatre
• Second runner-up (tie): Captain Abu Raed - 4:30 p.m. at the Warren Old Town Theatre
• Third runner-up: Half-Life - 4:15 p.m. at the 20th Century Club's Louise C. Murdock Theater

Sold Out Opening Night Movie to Show Again

On Thursday night we sold out the opening night film, What's the Matter with Kansas?. We thought we might, so we had reserved an extra screen that night just in case. We sold that one out, too. People were sitting in the aisles and standing against the walls. We were turning people away. We had so many people that we decided to re-show the work-in-progress movie again with a third screening Thursday night (after the first two), and with a fourth at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 26, at the Warren Old Town Theatre. To order tickets, visit wichitatix.com or visit the WichitaTIX box office at the Warren Old Town Theater.

FOR ALL FINAL SCREENING TIMES PLEASE REFER TO THE TALLGRASS FILM FESTIVAL GRID, DOWNLOADABLE HERE (0.4 Mb pdf) OR Withoutabox.

Thank you.

Tallgrass Lineup For 2008 Film Festival

Wichita, KS, October 3, 2008 - The 2008 Tallgrass Film Festival lineup and event details were announced at the festival's press conference at the Warren Old Town theater this afternoon. The Tallgrass Film Festival will feature more than 100 films from all over Kansas, the country and the world. [more] Get the official selections here (1 Mb pdf)

Download the schedule! Get eight pages of printable independent films here (4 Mb pdf) or just the programing grid (0.4 Mb pdf)

Now with Withoutabox! See what films are at the 2008 Tallgrass Film Festival, what venues they'll be at, and a schedule of the whole thing. Live and up-to-date.

Tallgrass Offers Free Screenings of Documentaries for High School Students

Tallgrass will screen several documentaries on the afternoon of Friday, Oct 24 at the Warren Old Town that will be FREE for all High School Students and Teachers. Simply present your Valid School ID at the WichitaTIX Box Office. Click here to learn more (87k pdf).

Special thanks!

The Tallgrass Film Festival thanks the Eaton Steakhouse, the official food sponsor for Saturday's Festival events including the Saturday Night Gala Party at the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame!

Special screening of SqueezeBox

SqueezeBox
Directed by: Steve Saporito and Zach Shaffer
2008 | 92 min | Feature Documentary

In the mid-'90s, a party promoter had a novel idea: drag queens not lipsynching but singing rock and roll live onstage. That's how Don Hill's SqueezeBox! was born. What began as a place for queer misfi ts who'd rather hear a guitar riff than a disco beat turned into a pansexual free-for-all. Straight or gay. Preppy or punk. Man or woman (or in between). All were welcome!

John Waters, Drew Barrymore, and Johnny Knoxville were regulars. The stage was graced by Deborah Harry, and Jayne County. It was where the Toilet Boys started and John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask worked on Hedwig and the Angry Inch. This doc captures the raw, debauched energy in a mix of archival footage and interviews. Seven years after the seminal party closed its doors, SqueezeBox! is the ultimate tribute to what can never be recreated nor forgotten.

No Cover + Appetizers + $2 Stella Specials
9 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 16
Club Glacier
2828 E. 31st St. South

Naked City presents The Opening Night Gala: What's the Matter with Kansas?

WHEN: Thursday, October 23, 7:30 PM

WHERE: Warren Old Town Theater, 353 N. Mead

The Opening Night Gala sponsored by Naked City will feature a Work-In-Progress screening of the documentary WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH KANSAS? inspired by the best-selling book by native Kansan Thomas Frank. The film, by Chicago filmmakers Laura Cohen and Joe Winston exposes how conservatives won the heart of America and examines populism in the past, present, and future through the eyes of several families and their experiences. Included in the film are several recognizable Wichita destinations including Watermark Books, Wild West World and Immanuel Baptist Church and faces like Dan Glickman, Terry Fox, Phil Kline and Julie Burkhart of ProKanDo. The film also covers historical events including the Summer of Mercy. Categorized as a "work-in-progress" as the film is still being finished, the screening affords festival-goers a unique opportunity to view a controversial film about Kansans and share their views and opinions with the filmmakers before the rest of the country sees the movie.

The film will be followed by a party at Rock Island Studios (Warren Old Town Plaza), with Open Bar, Food, Music!

Tickets are $20. Call (316) 219-4TIX or visit the WichitaTIX box office at Century II.

Scoring Free Festival Tickets Is A Trivial Pursuit

Test your knowledge and win vouchers to festival screenings at the Tallgrass Trivia Challenge.

Trivia will take place at 8 p.m. on two consecutive Sundays, October 12 and October 19 at the Alibi Room, 919 E. Douglas.

Jake Euker and Lady H. are your trivia co-hygienists and will present an all-movie-themed contest with all the usual amenities. Teams can have no more than five members and are not required to register in advance, but must arrive and be prepared to compete by 8 p.m. Extra-special additional prizes will be provided by our hosts.

Stella Artois presents the Saturday Night Ad Astra Gala: Dan Glickman

WHEN: Saturday, October 25, 7:30 PM

WHERE: Warren Old Town Theater, 353 N. Mead

Join Tallgrass and Stella Artois to honor Wichita's own DAN GLICKMAN as he returns home to accept the 2008 Ad Astra Award for his work as Chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), which serves as the voice and advocate of the American motion picture, home video and television industries.

The lively evening will feature a tribute to Mr. Glickman, never-before-seen extended footage of Glickman's interview from the Opening Night Film, WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH KANSAS? and a hosted Q&A with topics ranging from Hollywood and Independent Film, to the state of politics in Kansas and the rest of the country.

The evening will be followed by a party at the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame (238 N. Mead) with Open Bar, Food & Music!

Ticketsare $30. Call (316) 219-4TIX or visit the WichitaTIX Box Office at Century II.

Closing Night Gala, presented by The Ulrich Museum of Art: The Deal

WHEN: Sunday, October 26, 6:30 PM

WHERE: C.A.C. Theater, Wichita State University

The Closing Night Gala presented by the Ulrich Museum of Art, will feature the Midwest premiere of the feature film THE DEAL, starring William H. Macy, Meg Ryan, LL Cool J, Jason Ritter and Elliot Gould. Based on the novel by Peter Lefcourt the film, with an A-list Hollywood cast, also has a Wichita connection! One the film's producers, or "dealmakers," Arthur Allen is a Valley Center native and will attend the screening with special guests actor Jason Ritter, producer Jacqueline Corbelli and more!

The film follows a a down-and-out film producer (Macy) who agrees to make his nephew's (Ritter) film about 19th century English statesman Benjamin Disraeli, but can only get financing if he casts a well-known action star. Production is halted however, when the lead actor is kidnapped from the European film set so the producer hatches a scheme with a struggling creative executive (Ryan) to save the star and the movie.

The screening will be followed by the Closing Night Party at the Ulrich Museum of Art.

Tickets are $15. Call (316) 219-4TIX or visit the WichitaTIX Box Office at Century II. (Gala is FREE for WSU Students/Faculty/Staff & Ulrich Museum Members).

Family Film Screenings with Movie Mom Nell Minow at Exploration Place

WHEN: Friday, October 24, 4:30 PM - Double Feature: JUMP! and ALICE, UPSIDE DOWN with Director Sandy Tung

Saturday, October 25, Doors Open 9:00 AM, Screening: ALICE, UPSIDE DOWN with Director Sandy Tung PLUS TWO SHORT FILMS!

New to this year's festival lineup is the Family Films Program which will take place at Exploration Place on Friday evening and Saturday morning. The special ticket rate of $10 includes a reduced general admission entrance to the museum plus the screening. Nationally renowned movie critic Nell Minow, known to her listeners as "Movie Mom" will be a Special Guest at both screenings. Movie Mom can be heard locally on B98 FM.

Tickets for Family Screenings at Exploration Place can be purchased at the Exploration Place box office only!

(Sun & Mon 12‐5 PM; Tue & Wed 10‐5 PM; Thurs,Fri & Sat 9 AM – 9 PM).

Tallgrass General Admission Vouchers not accepted. Tallgrass VIP All Access Passholders admitted free; "All Exploration Place" Passport holders get one Free Admission to screening. Seating is limited. Does not include admission to Our Bodies, CyberDome and SIM Center.

Party Like A Filmmaker!

Buy your VIP ALL ACCESS PASS ($125 for the entire weekend!) today for lots of face time with visiting filmmakers at VIP events like the Dean & DeLuca VIP Filmmaker Lounge, and the Mayor's Welcome to Wichita VIP BBQ and the VIP Filmmaker Brunch, both presented by Wichita Magazine. Here's a quick rundown of FILMMAKERS expected to attend Tallgrass '08 ... you never know, by the end of the weekend you might be ready for your close-up.

WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH KANSAS? Joe Winston (Director, Chicago), Laura Cohen (Producer, Chicago)

THE DEAL Arthur Allen (Producer, Wichita/NYC), Jason Ritter (Actor, Los Angeles), Jacqueline Corbelli (Producer, NYC)

THE WRECKING CREW Denny Tedesco (Director, Los Angeles)

CAPTAIN ABU RAED David Pritchard (Producer, Los Angeles)

GOOD DICK Mariana Palka (Director/Actor, Los Angeles), Jason Ritter (Actor, Los Angeles)

ALICE, UPSIDE DOWN Sandy Tung (Director, Los Angeles)

RAINBOW AROUND THE SUN Kim Haywood (Producer, Oklahoma City)

WHO IS KK DOWNEY? Paul Renaud (Executive Producer, Toronto)

FAMILY FILM PROGRAM Nell Minow: Movie Mom (Nationally recognized Movie Critic, Washington D.C.)

Check the Tallgrass Film Festival websiteoften for updated movie times and additional screenings!

Amy Patrick of Wichita is Stubbornly Independent!

Congratulations to Amy Patrick of Wichita, the lucky winner of Tallgrass' Stubbornly Independent Weekend of Relentless Revelry. Amy is a teacher with USD 259.

The prize package, valued at $1,500, includes a 3-night stay at the downtown Hyatt, 2 All-Access Passes to Tallgrass Film Festival, including all VIP events and gift certificates from the following downtown merchants!

• Larkspur
• Oeno/Sabor/Uptown Bistro/Eggcetra
• Caffe Moderne
• Daily Grind
• Museum of World Treasures
• Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum
• Bungalow 26
• Lucinda's
• Beadazzled
• Rock Paper Scissors
• Ceros
• Hatman Jack's Wichita Hat Works
• Picture Framing & More
• River City Unique
• Automobilia

See you on the red carpet Amy!

Short Film Lineup Announced!

We're excited to announce our Short Film Programs and Lineup. There will also be short films playing before select feature films, the Timothy Gruver Spotlight on Kansas Filmmakers Presented by the Kansas Film Commission, the Joel Fein High School Shorts Program and in the Dean & DeLuca VIP Filmmaker Lounge. Please check the Tallgrass website for updates, running times and filmmaker information.

Environmentally Persistent – GREENGRASS, Sponsored by Scholfield Honda
As warming climates, waste, and burning fuels continue to change our world, people everywhere are taking steps to make things better. From the foods we eat to the computers we throw away, Environmentally Persistent shows that what is happening now, effects every one of us in the future.

• eDump
• Fresh Fruit
• Ripe for Change

Perceptively Dramatic
Look closer, as things may not be what they seem in this eclectic collection of dramatic short films. A young boy woos the girl of his dreams, a humble janitor finds cryptic messages on the job, and an early Hollywood hearthrob goes from olympic swimmer to Tarzan. These, and other varied subjects, can be seen in Perceptively Dramatic.

• Three-Fifty
• Felix
• Canned
• Columbia Palumbus
• Alguma Coisa Assim (Something Like That)
• Taxi?
• Elephant Graveyard

Delightfully Animated
Much more than your kids' Saturday morning cartoons, art and storytelling collide in this whimisical series. From claymation and computer animation to simple pen sketches, this collection will make you think and leave you laughing.

• Zoologic
• Milk Teeth
• The Cave
• A Feary Tale
• Yellow Sticky Notes
• The Aviatrix
• Teat Beat of Sex
• 1977
• John and Karen
• The Strange Hunger
• The Inquisitive Snail
• Hot Dog

Smartly Documented
Who is Baron Wolman? What happens to a deceased body if there is no next of kin to claim it? What's the easiest way to carry a trampoline across Texas? All these questions, plus a few more, will be answered in this program featuring the best of short documentary filmmaking.

• Springed Migration
• For Tomorrow, The Tom Shoes Story
• From My Hands
• If a Body Meet a Body
• I See the Music: Baron Wolman The Rolling Stone Years

Grimly Indecent
Things go bump in the night at Tallgrass. A series of films that are campy, sexy, violent, crass and at times, just plain weird. Not for the squeamish or easily offended.

• The Return of Sergeant Pecker
• Night of the Hell Hamsters
• Tits and Blood
• Hirsute
• Teat Beat of Sex
• Residue
• Medium Rare
• Spider

2008 Tallgrass Trailer

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Large-HD (32.8 Mb) | Medium (9.5 Mb) | Small (3.7 Mb) | iPod Ready (14.2 Mb)

We Have A Winner!

Congratulations to Amy Patrick of Wichita, who won the Tallgrass Film Festival's Extended Weekend of Relentless Revelry. The prize package, valued at $1,500, included a 3-night stay at a luxury hotel in downtown Wichita; $150 in dining certificates from downtown restaurants; two All-Access Passes to Tallgrass Film Festival, including all VIP events; and $300 in gift certificates from Old Town, Downtown and Delano merchants. Amy is a teacher with USD 259.

Mark Your Calendars: Ulrich Museum Of Art Partners With Tallgrass For Closing Night Gala

The Tallgrass Film Festival and WSU’s Ulrich Museum of Art are partnering to present the Closing Night Gala of the 2008 Tallgrass Film Festival, October 26th. The evening will feature a Wichita premier of a TBA independent film, with filmmakers in attendance, and will be followed by a Q&A and party at the museum.

Admission will be free for all WSU Students, Faculty, Staff; Ulrich Museum Members and Tallgrass All Access Passholders; And $15 for general admission (includes screening, Q&A and party with open bar/food/music). Tickets go on sale 3 weeks prior to the film festival at www.wichitatix.com. Mark your calendars now and stay tuned for more exciting news about the film festival coming soon!

Another Path To Free Opening Night Tickets

It's not too late to volunteer for the Tallgrass Film Festival and score a pair of tickets to Tallgrass 2008's Opening Night Gala Presented by Naked City, and an Official Festival T-Shirt!

Simply click here to email our Volunteer Coordinator Gay Quisenberry, or call (316) 409-3376 or stop by the Volunteer Orientation, October 11th at 11 a.m. at the City Arts Building (345 N. Mead) to sign up in person and learn more.

Written By: Save The Date For WAMPA's November Screenwriting Class

Presented by WAMPA and The Independent School, Screenwriter Mitch Brian will hold a two day seminar called "Thinking in Pictures: the Art and Craft of Screenwrting," November 15 and 16, from 9am to 5pm, at the Independent School.

Topics will include an in-depth exploration of screenplay structure, format and language of the screenplay. The weekend will focus on creating vivid characters, writing good scenes, understanding screen dialogue, using theme and genre to convey meaning and exercises in pitching your screenplay. Film clips and screenplay excerpts will be used throughout both days. The cost is $200 per person, payable by check. Register with Mitch Brian via email by clicking here, or call (913) 831 2372.

Brian has written teleplays for all the major networks as well as HBO and FX. He co-created and wrote episodes for Batman: The Animated Series and co-wrote the NBC mini-series The '70s. He has written feature screenplays for directors Chris Columbus, Oliver Stone, Luis Mandoki and Robert Schwentke as well as for producers including Gina Davis, Mike Medavoy and James Ellroy. He can be heard monthly on KCUR's Up To Date discussing film genres. Visit KCUR and the Up to Date archives to listen online.

WSU Presents Free Screening Of Twisted: A Balloonamentary

The 2007 Tallgrass Film Festivall favorite will screen as part of WSU's Friends, Family & Alumni Weekend this Saturday, October 4th at 7:30 PM at the C.A.C. Theater on the west side of the Rhatigan Student Center. Admission is FREE and complimentary soft drinks and popcorn will be available.

Twisted: A Balloonamentary directed by Naomi Greenfield and Sara Taksler and narrated by The Daily Show's Jon Stewart, takes a look into the surprisingly large and diverse community of talented balloon artists by visiting one of the world's premier balloon twisting conventions, Twist and Shout. The resulting artworks are complex, amazing, and sometimes, shocking.

Click here to listen to a KMUW interview with the filmmakers or here for more information about the film.

In a World Where ...

On behalf of everyone at Tallgrass & WAMPA, we want to take a moment to remember Don LaFontaine, a dear friend of the festival who passed away this September. It was only last year that Don lent his voice and his presence to Tallgrass, coming to Wichita to receive the Ad Astra award, charming festival attendees and recording lots of voicemail messages. A member of the festival's National Advisory Board, Don will be missed by his friends in Wichita and the world will not be the same without him.

Wichita’s, MPAA’s Dan Glickman to be honored with Ad Astra Award at the 2008 Tallgrass Film Festival

August 27, 2008 – Dan Glickman, Chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Kansas Congressman and Wichita native, will be honored with the Ad Astra Award at the 2008 Tallgrass Film Festival. [More]

Robert Redford Addresses YPW Members At Tallgrass Cinema Alfresco Screening Of All The President’s Men

August 14, 2008 – Independent film pioneer and screen legend Robert Redford through a written statement addressed the Young Professionals of Wichita (YPW) at tonight’s special Cinema Alfresco screening of the Academy Award winning film, ALL THE PRESIDENT’S MEN. [More]

Robert Redford Gives A Tallgrass Shoutout!

We are pleased to share a written testimony by Robert Redford on behalf of Americans For The Arts entitled "Role of the Arts in Creativity and Innovation”, which Mr. Redford presented before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment & Related Agencies on April 1.

In his testimony, Mr. Redford mentions Wichita’s own Tallgrass Film Festival, saying though “Not every community can have a festival like Sundance, but many communities can benefit from the same kind of creative exploration, in film…I am pleased to point out…the Tallgrass Film Festival held annually in Wichita, Kansas which had record attendance this past year.”

Mr. Redford also speaks of the arts as an “economic driver”, creating jobs and generating billions of dollars of revenue. He continues, “The opportunity before us now is to invest in an emerging economic sector, one that has the power to grow jobs and businesses while also producing cultural benefits for our country - that is the vision I ask you to consider.” Thank you Mr. Redford! To read the transcript in its entirety, click here or here.

Score Free Movie & Party Tickets As A 2008 Tallgrass Volunteer!

It would be impossible for the Tallgrass staff to do our jobs without our dedicated group of volunteers and the hundreds of hours they pour into making the festival a success. Volunteering your time at Tallgrass is a fun and creative way to mingle with filmmakers and score free movie and party tickets during the festival, while learning the ins and outs of event production and filmmaking.

Imagine sitting in the projection room in the Warren Theater and watching a film, escorting a visiting filmmaker or VIP or being part of the creative team that plans all the parties…from event production, to ticketing, hospitality to marketing, and even projection room assistants; the possibilities are endless.

We welcome volunteers of all ages, and encourage high school and college students who are interested in the arts and are looking for internship or community service opportunities to contact our Volunteer Coordinator Gay Quisenberry for more information!  Click here to email directly or call 316-409-3376.

VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE WAMPA SHORT TODAY

Sharpen up your voting skills before November 4th by voting for your favorite short film produced by this year's WAMPA Filmmaking Academy's Production Class, and help program Tallgrass' 2008 Opening Night! Each film was shot and edited over the course of six months by three filmmaking teams. The highest rated film will be screened as part of the Opening Night Gala, Presented by Naked City, at the Warren Old Town Theater on October 23rd.

All of the films, ONLY FOOLING YOU, WHAT GOES AROUND, and EXPOSED will be screened as part of the Timothy Gruver Spotlight on Kansas Filmmakers, Presented by the Kansas Film Commission, at the Orpheum on Sunday, October 26th.

The winning film will be announced on October 3rd at the festival's Official Press Conference. Voting will take place until September 30th. Click here to vote now! No hanging chads here.

WAMPA Announces Theme for 2008 Tallgrass Film Festival and Festival-Package Giveaway

The Wichita Association for the Motion Picture Arts (WAMPA) and Tallgrass Film Festival today announced the theme for the 2008 Tallgrass Film Festival: Stubbornly Independent. [more] and [the contest]

Save The Date: Tallgrass Sparks Debate With Screening Of "Waiting To Inhale" With Special Guests

The Tallgrass Film Festival Special Screening Series continues on September 5, with the Wichita premier of WAITING TO INHALE, a documentary which examines the heated debate over marijuana and its use as medicine in the United States. The screening will take place at the Murdock Theater at 7 PM and will be followed by a Q&A with Director Jed Riffe, panel discussion featuring distinguished Kansas professionals in the fields of medicine and government, and a reception.

Twelve states have passed legislation to protect patients who use medical marijuana. Yet opponents claim the medical argument is just a smokescreen for a different agenda--to legalize marijuana for recreation and profit. What claims are being made, and what are the stakes?

WAITING TO INHALE takes viewers inside the lives of patients who have been forever changed by illness—and parents who lost their children to addiction. Is marijuana really a gateway drug? What evidence is there to support the claim that marijuana can alleviate some of the devastating symptoms of AIDS, cancer and multiple sclerosis? WAITING TO INHALE sheds new light on this controversy and presents shocking new evidence that marijuana could hold a big stake in the future of medicine.

Cinema Alfresco brings free movies under the stars

This year's theme: "By the People, For the People: Election Selections." Cinema Alfresco is always free. Movies will be shown RAIN or SHINE. Register to win a pair of All-Access passes (a $250 value) to the 2008 Tallgrass Film Festival, October 23-26 at each screening. For more details, visit the Cinema Alfresco page.

2008 Tallgrass Film Festival Announces Call for Submissions, new National Advisory Board, Greengrass Initiative and Much More!

Read The Press Release Here!

Click here for Submission Rules, Terms and Conditions

Click here for the 2007 Film Festival Wrapup