FILM FESTIVAL NEWS: Honorees Rose McGowan and Larry Gross lead the Tallgrass International Film Festival’s 15th Anniversary edition; pair of South African films, a focus on female documentarians
Honorees Rose McGowan and Larry Gross lead the 15th Annual Tallgrass Film Festival presented by Consolidated Equities Trust (October 18-22) today announced the full schedule for this year’s edition with an impressive roster of Gala selections including; Quentin Krog’s FOR THE BIRDS (Opening Night Gala), Byron Davis’s HUNTING EMMA (Centerpiece Gala), and Lysa Heslov’s SERVED LIKE A GIRL (Closing Night Gala).
Tallgrass International Film Festival’s 15th Anniversary
Those films are joined by Robin Berghaus’s STUMPED, which is Talgrass’s first DOX Spotlight winner, and Dustin Cook’s I HATE THE MAN IN MY BASEMENT, which is this year’s Stubbornly Independent Gala Selection.
Tallgrass’s burgeoning slate for it’s 15th Anniversary edition boasts 182 films (47 features, 135 short films) representing 34 countries.
Screenwriter Larry Gross will be the first recipient of the L.M. “Kit” Carson Storyteller Award following a 35th Anniversary screening of Walter Hill’s action/comedy classic, 48HRS. (which Gross co-wrote), and Rose McGowan will receive the Ad Astra Award following a screening of her critically-acclaimed short film, DAWN, and prior to a retro screening of Robert Rodriguez’s Grindhouse thriller, PLANET TERROR.
Tallgrass Film Festival Creative Director Lela Meadow-Conner said, “Each year, the Tallgrass Film Festival wins new converts and solidifies its place within the film festival community. The ability to do that starts with the films we program, and the filmmakers that either make the trip to visit Wichita with their films – many for the very first time, or come here to rub elbows with those filmmakers from all over the world. We have pride in the fact that we have become known as a film festival that truly celebrates the work of women behind the camera – including 60 female directors represented in this year’s program alone. Innovation is also a key. The creation of the DOX Spotlight – to highlight the work of female documentarians, and the Storyteller Award – to honor the achievements of the men and women who have written the scripts that led to some of our favorite films – that is what makes Tallgrass special.”
Director of Programming and Education, Nick Pope added, “This year, the Tallgrass Film Festival received more than 2000 film submissions. The very best of those were added to some of the most acclaimed films from some of the most notable fests during the first half of 2017. It’s also important to note the international flavor of Tallgrass. Two of our gala selections hail from South Africa, more than 30 countries are represented, and 60 filmmakers are expected to attend Tallgrass with their films this year. Whether it be some very cool indies, fascinating documentaries, or some mind-blowingly creative short films, our 15th Anniversary really has a lot to offer the region’s film lovers.”
The Opening Night Gala selection and the Centerpiece Gala selection are both South African films making premieres at the Tallgrass Film Festival. Quentin Krog’s FOR THE BIRDS’s 70s tale focuses on a young nurse who ruffles feathers as she shows a small town and its golden boy, what it means to be an independent woman. The film will make its North American premiere on Wednesday, October 18 at the Scottish Rite Theatre (332 E 1st St N).
Byron Davis’s HUNTING EMMA will make its Midwest premiere as the Centerpiece Gala selection on Friday, October 20 at the Scottish Rite Theatre. The film follows a young woman who witnesses six men kill a cop out in the wild. In an effort to cover up the crime, the men hunt her like an animal in the desolate wilderness, forcing the pacifist to fight for her life.
Tallgrass International Film Festival’s 15th Anniversary Closing Night Gala
The Closing Night Gala features Lysa Heslov’s documentary SERVED LIKE A GIRL on Sunday, October 22 at the Wichita Orpheum Theater. The film chronicles the lives of female veterans as they compete for the crown of Ms. Veteran America, raising money for their homeless sisters. While struggling with PTSD, divorce, disability, and military sexual abuse, competing in the pageant ignites an emotional roller coaster for the women.
Another first being rolled out on the occasion of the Tallgrass International Film Festival’s 15th edition is the first DOX Spotlight screening to showcase the incredible real life stories being told by women documentary filmmakers. Three finalists were chosen and an all female industry jury selected the winning film. Robin Berghaus’s STUMPED was the selection and will screen Thursday, October 19 at the Scottish Rite Theatre. The film tells the inspiring story of a filmmaker who, after a tragic personal loss, agrees to undergo an experimental double-arm transplant and turns to stand up-comedy as therapy – both in the hope of reclaiming his independence.
The winner of the Jake Euker Stubbornly Independent competition, Dustin Cook’s I HATE THE MAN IN MY BASEMENT will screen on Saturday, October 21 at the Scottish Rite Theater. The film follows the dilemma of a man, who, still grieving over the murder of his wife, finds that an unexpected budding romance adds immediacy to his plans for a problematic house “guest”.
Conceived and sponsored by filmmaker Hunter Carson, the son of film legends L.M. Kit Carson and Karen Black, the Storyteller Award recognizes the contributions to cinema by a screenwriter(s) who exemplifies a unique voice. On the occasion of the 35th anniversary screening of Walter Hill’s 48 HRS., Tallgrass will honor that film’s co-writer Larry Gross, whose career spans more than four decades as a screenwriter, producer, and film journalist, as the inaugural recipient of the Storyteller Award. The tribute includes a screening of the iconic buddy cop movie, starring Nick Note and featuring the film debut of Eddie Murphy, followed by a candid conversation with Gross on the art of writing for the screen.
Perhaps best known for his work with writer/director Walter Hill, their screenwriting collaboration resulted in four films: 48 HRS. (1983), STREETS OF FIRE (1984), ANOTHER 48 HRS. (1990) and GERONIMO (1993). He also adapted VERONIKA DECIDES TO DIE (2009) from the best selling novel by Paulo Coehlo, and WE DON’T LIVE HERE ANYMORE (2004) for which he won the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival. Other works include BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY (2004), PROZAC NATION (2001) CHINESE BOX (1997) and TRUE CRIME (l999) starring and directed by Clint Eastwood. Last year, Gross co-wrote the script for Gabe Klinger’s PORTO.
Tallgrass International Film Festival’s 15th Anniversary Ad Astra Award
The 2017 Ad Astra Award will be presented to actress, director, and activist Rose McGowan at the Scottish Rite Theatre prior to a screening of her critically acclaimed short film, DAWN on Thursday, October 19. The evening is sponsored by Bree & Jason Cox. A Q&A will follow with McGowan moderated by film critic and host of The Canon, Amy Nicholson, and Festworks.com’s John Wildman. The special evening will conclude with a retro screening of PLANET TERROR, including an introduction by McGowan.
Other highlights include Military Day on Thursday, October 19, sponsored by Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers. All films are free to active and retired military with valid ID. Northrock Lanes also presents Free Films Friday, where a selection of festival movies will be free to the public.
VIP TALLPasses for the Tallgrass Film Festival are available for purchase now, as are general admission tickets. Please visit tallgrassfilmfest.com for more information.
THE 2017 TALLGRASS FILM FESTIVAL OFFICIAL SELECTIONS
OPENING NIGHT GALA SELECTION
(Presented by Steve Anderson)
FOR THE BIRDS (VIR DE VOËLS) North American Premiere
Director: Quentin Krog
Country: South Africa, Running Time: 124min
It’s the 70’s and Irma Humpel, an independent-thinking young woman, finds herself in front of the minister with Sampie de Klerk. How did she get here?
Is she ready for this kind of commitment?
Preceded by
FIDGET SINNER
Country: USA, Running Time: 7min
CENTERPIECE GALA SELECTION
(Presented by Grumpy Old Men)
HUNTING EMMA (JAGVELD) Midwest Premiere
Director: Byron Davis
Country: South Africa, Running Time: 103min
Emma le Roux just wants to go home for the holidays. Gentle, beautiful, pacifist Emma. She’s made the trip to her father’s farm a thousand times. Piece of cake. But not today…
DOX SPOTLIGHT SELECTION
(Presented by Greteman Group)
STUMPED
Director: Robin Berghaus
Country: USA, Running Time: 72min
When filmmaker Will Lautzenheiser’s limbs are amputated, his life is derailed and he turns to stand-up comedy as a therapeutic and creative outlet. Meanwhile, a world-famous medical team is performing transplants that restore bodies to unprecedented levels. Despite grave risks, Will agrees to undergo an experimental double-arm transplant in the hope of reclaiming his independence.
JAKE EUKER STUBBORNLY INDEPENDENT GALA SELECTION
(Presented by Rick & Monica Nutt)
I HATE THE MAN IN MY BASEMENT
Director: Dustin Cook
Country: USA, Running Time: 92min
Lonely and isolated, and still grieving for his murdered wife, Claude develops an unexpected crush for salsa instructor Kyra. Unfortunately, he’s not sure how to move forward since he still has this… situation…in the basement.
CLOSING NIGHT GALA SELECTION
(Presented by Emprise Bank)
SERVED LIKE A GIRL
Director: Lysa Heslov
Country: USA, Running Time: 90min
SERVED LIKE A GIRL chronicles the lives of female veterans as they compete for the crown of Ms. Veteran America, raising funds and awareness for their homeless sisters.
Narrative Features
20 WEEKS Stubbornly Independent Nominee
Director: Leena Pendharkar
Country: USA, Running Time: 89min
20 WEEKS is a romantic drama about love, science and how prenatal and genetic testing impacts everyday people. Against the backdrop of modern-day Los Angeles, the story follows Maya and Ronan’s journey – interweaving their past and present – after learning that their baby has a serious health issue at their 20-week scan. Inspired, in part, by writer/director Leena’s Pendharkar’s real life experiences with her second daughter, the film seeks to explore an intimate issue that isn’t often talked about.
48 HRS. (1982)
Director: Walter Hill
Country: USA, Running Time: 96min
A hard-nosed cop reluctantly teams up with a wise-cracking criminal temporarily
paroled to him, in order to track down a killer.
ALASKA IS A DRAG
Director: Shaz Bennett
Country: USA, Running Time: 83min
Leo, an aspiring drag superstar, and his twin sister are trapped in the monotony of fish guts and fist fights. He fights back out of necessity which catches the local boxing coach’s attention. Leo has to face the real reason he’s stuck in Alaska.
Preceded by
DRAGTAVISTS
Director: Savannah Rodgers
Country: USA, Running Time: 7min
BADSVILLE
Director: April Mullen
Country: USA, Running Time: 97min
A violent greaser gang is ripped apart when their leader finds love and is determined to leave Badsville – a town where love doesn’t exist.
BLACK COP
Director: Cory Bowles
Country: Canada, Running Time: 91min
A black cop is pushed to the edge, after his colleagues profile him while off-duty. In this hyper-active satire, he figures out a way to take out his frustration… at work.
Preceded by
GOODBYE, OLD GLORY
Director: Jordan Haro
Country: USA, Running Time: 17min
BLUR CIRCLE Stubbornly Independent Nominee
Director: Chris Hansen
Country: USA, Running Time: 92min
Jill Temple is a single mother still grieving the loss of her young son after he disappeared two years ago. Unable to face the possibility that she has lost him forever, she pursues every lead and meets Burton Rose, a man with a mysterious past. The details of that past – and how Burton has responded to it – force Jill to look at her life in a completely new way.
BOMB CITY Stubbornly Independent Nominee
Director, Jameson Brooks
Country: USA, Running Time: 95min
Based on the true story of Brian Deneke. BOMB CITY is a crime-drama about the cultural aversion of teenage punks in a conservative Texas town. Their ongoing battle with a rival, more-affluent group of jocks, leads to a controversial hate crime that questions the morality of American justice.
DAVE MADE A MAZE
Director: Bill Watterson
Country: USA, Running Time: 80min
Dave, an unrealized artist, builds a fort in his living room, only to wind up trapped by his own creation.
Preceded by
THE DAY BEFORE
Director: Geoff Marslett
Country: USA, Running Time: 16min
THE DIVINE ORDER
Director: Petra Volpe
Country: Switzerland, Running Time: 96min
A young and dutiful housewife challenges the status quo by fighting for women’s right to vote in 1971 Switzerland. Her new found celebrity brings humiliation
and threats, but also a few startling discoveries about her own liberation. Switzerland’s Submission for the Academy Awards – Best Foreign Language Film.
THE FEELS
Director: Jenée LaMarque
Country: USA, Running Time: 90min
Andi and Lu are excited to celebrate their upcoming wedding with a joint bachelorette weekend in wine country. On the first night, Lu reveals a secret that derails the weekend in unexpected and poignant ways.
GOOK
Director: Justin Chon
Country: USA, Running Time: 94min
In 1992, two Korean-American brothers strike up an unlikely friendship with an 11-year-old African-American girl, while racial tensions build to a breaking point as the L.A. riots break out.
Preceded by
IT’S JUST A GUN
Director: Brian Robau
Country: USA, Running Time: 15min
IN LOVE WITH LOU
Director: Cordula Kablitz-Post
Country: Germany, Running Time: 113min
Legendary 18th century writer, Lou Andreas-Salomé, vows never to fall in love and to pursue philosophical and intellectual perfection with her contemporaries Paul Rée, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Rainer Maria Rilke.
THE KING’S CHOICE (KONGENS NEI)
Director: Erik Poppe
Country: Norway, Running Time: 130min
Based on the true the story about three dramatic days in April 1940, when the King of Norway is presented with an unimaginable ultimatum from the German armed forces: surrender or die.
LAND OF THE LITTLE PEOPLE
Director: Yaniv Berman
Country: Israel, Running Time: 83min
Four teenagers who live in an Israeli military town, fight with two deserters over control of their territory.
LAURA GETS A CAT
Director: Michael Ferrell
Country: USA, Running Time: 83min
Laura, an unemployed writer in New York City, tries to juggle an unexciting boyfriend, an affair with a performance artist, and a vivid imaginary life.
LUCKY
Director: John Carroll Lynch
Country: USA, Running Time: 88min
Having outlived and out-smoked his contemporaries, Lucky finds himself at the precipice of life, thrust into a journey of self exploration, leading towards the often unattainable — enlightenment.
PLANET TERROR (2007)
Director: Robert Rodriguez
Country: USA, Running Time: 105min
After an experimental bio-weapon is released, turning thousands into zombie-like creatures, it’s up to a rag-tag group of survivors to stop the infected and those behind its release.
Preceded by
DAWN (2014)
Director: Rose McGowan
Country: USA, Running Time: 17min
Dawn is a quiet young teenager who longs for something or someone to free her from her sheltered life.
SEAT 25
Director: Nicholas Agnew
Country: UK, Running Time: 83min
When Faye Banks secretly enters a competition to win a seat on the first manned mission to Mars, she never expects to win. But when the dangerous one-way trip becomes a reality, her life on Earth is turned upside down.
Preceded by
EVE
Director: Brittany “B.Monét” Fennell
Country: Spain, Running Time: 5min
THE TEACHER (UCITELKA)
Director: Jan Hřebejk
Countries: Slovakia/Czech Republic, Running Time: 103min
A middle school teacher in Communist Slovakia manipulates her student’s parents into doing favors for her.
Documentary Features
ANGELS OF THE SKY
Directors: Trent McGee, Josh Berman
Country: USA, Running Time: 90min
The true life story of WWII pilots from the 8th Air Force, who were shot down over German territory and became POWs — told through the survivors themselves.
Preceded by
ALL AMERICAN
Directors: Michael Ayjian, Stephen Skeel
Country: USA, Running Time: 9min
ARCTIC SUPERSTAR
Director: Simen Braathen
Country: Norway, Running Time: 70min
The indigenous, Samí rapper, SlinCraze, is trying to earn a living and make a name for himself — the only problem is that less than 20,000 people speak his endangered language.
Preceded by
RULE OF NATURE
Director: Dieter Primig
Country: Namibia, Running Time: 26min
BIG SONIA
Directors: Leah Warshawski, Todd Soliday
Country: USA, Running Time: 93min
Holocaust survivor and diva, Sonia Warshawski, has just been served an eviction notice for her popular tailor shop in suburban Kansas City. Sonia’s trauma comes to the surface as she struggles with the concept of retirement.
Preceded by
KITTY AND ELLEN
Director: Leah Galant
Country: USA, Running Time: 17min
CITY OF JOY DOX Spotlight Nominee
Director: Madeleine Gavin
Country: USA, Running Time: 74min
In Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, an area waging one of the longest conflicts in history and ravaged by sexual violence – we discover The City of Joy. This ultimately uplifting film centers around Jane, a student in the first class at a center where women who have suffered unimaginable abuse come together to create a revolutionary community of leaders.
Preceded by
CONTENDERS
Director: Divya Pathak
Countries: UK/India, Running Time: 13min
THE CREST
Director: Mark Covino
Country: USA, Running Time: 83min
Two descendants of an Irish king journey to an island where he once presided-not to reclaim the land, but to surf the waves. An immigrant story that reminds us how we all came from somewhere else.
Preceded by
INBOX
Director: B. Welby-Delimere
Countries: UK/Ireland, Running Time: 8min
DINA
Director: Antonio Santini, Dan Sickles
Country: USA, Running Time: 103min
Having grown up neurologically diverse, a buoyant suburban woman and a Walmart door-greeter face the challenges of being head-over-heels for each other in this unconventional love story. Winner of the Sundance Film Festival Documentary Grand Jury Prize.
Preceded by
BLACK CAT
Director: Pascal Mercay
Country: Australia, Running Time: 14min
DOLORES
Director: Peter Bratt
Country: USA, Running Time: 95min
Portrait of one of the most important, yet least known, activists. Dolores Huerta tirelessly led the fight for racial and labor justice alongside Cesar Chavez, only to become embroiled in a battle for gender equality.
Preceded by
Preceded by
SILO: EDGE OF THE REAL WORLD
Director: Marshall Burnette
Country: USA, Running Time 10min
FAST BREAK: THE LEGENDARY JOHN MCLENDON
Director: Kevin Wilmott
Country: USA, Running Time: 63min
Pioneer African-American coach, McLendon not only changed the way basketball was played but who could play it as well.
Preceded by
THE GRAND ILLUSION
Director: Preston Mack
Country: USA, Running Time: 19min
FOR AHKEEM
Directors: Jeremy S. Levine, Landon Van Soest
Country: USA, Running Time: 90min
After a school fight lands 17-year old Daje Shelton in a court-supervised alternative high school, she’s determined to turn things around and make a better future for herself, despite challenges both personally and in society.
Preceded by
FAMILY REWRITTEN
Director: Yasmin Mistry
Country: USA, Running Time 14min
FOREVER ‘B’ DOX Spotlight Nominee
Director: Skye Borgman
Country: USA, Running Time: 91min
On October 17th, 1974, in the quiet town of Pocatello Idaho, 12-year-old Jan Broberg was kidnapped by her family’s best friend and neighbor. 18 months later, out on bail and awaiting trial for kidnapping, Robert Berchtold (Brother ‘B’ to Jan and her family) abducted Jan a second time, triggering a nationwide FBI manhunt. Through threats and brainwashing, Brother ‘B’ successfully turns Jan against her own family, while simultaneously manipulating her parents who paved the way for Jan’s abduction, in plain sight.
JANE
Director: Brett Morgan
Country: USA, Running Time: 90min
Unseen footage of Jane Goodall’s early explorations, groundbreaking field work, her relationship with cameraman and husband Hugo van Lawick, and the chimpanzees she studied.
Preceded by
GARDENERS OF THE FOREST
Directors: Ceylan Carhoglu, Nicole Jordan-Webber
Country: USA/Laos, Running Time: 15min
THE LIFE, BLOOD AND RHYTHM OF RANDY CASTILLO
Director: Wynn Ponder
Country: USA, Running Time: 84min
A musical journey exploring the late, legendary drummer, Randy Castillo, who played with Ozzy Osborne, Motley Crue, Lita Ford, and other rock and roll icons of the 1980s and 1990s.
OLYMPIC PRIDE, AMERICAN PREJUDICE
Director: Deborah Riley Draper
Country: USA, Running Time: 84min
17 men and women, with Jesse Owens, defied Jim Crow and Adolf Hitler and won hearts and medals at the 1936 Summer Games in Berlin. These trailblazers kicked open the door to a new society and are a seminal moment in the fight for equality.
ON THE SLY: IN SEARCH OF THE FAMILY STONE
Director: Michael Rubenstone
Country: USA, Running Time: 82min
Michael Rubenstone sets out to find the reclusive funk legend, Sly Stone. He manages to bring Sly out of hiding and record the history of Sly and the Family Stone band.
OSKARA U.S. Premiere
Directors: Pablo Iraburu, Iñaki Alforja
Country: Spain, Running Time: 72min
Oskara emerges from the meeting between Marcos Morau, an innovative Catalan choreographer, and Kukai, a group of traditional Basque dancers. Together they create a beautiful spectacle.
Preceded by
WHEEL OF LIFE
Directors: Marcia Jamel, Ken Schneider
Countries: USA/Cuba, Running Time: 16min
RUMBLE: THE INDIANS WHO ROCKED THE WORLD
Director: Catherine Bainbridge, Alfonso Maiorana
Country: Canada, Running Time: 103min
The story of a profound, essential, and until now little known part of American music history: the Native musician’s influence. Featuring music from Charley Patton, Jimi Hendrix, Redbone and many more.
SPETTACOLO
Directors: Jeff Malmberg, Chris Shellen
Country: USA, Running Time: 91min
Once upon a time there was a tiny hill town in Tuscany that found a remarkable way to confront their issues — they turned their lives into a play.
TRUE CONVICTION
Director: Jamie Meltzer
Country: USA, Running Time: 84min
There’s a new detective agency in Dallas, Texas, started by three exonerated men, with decades in prison served between them.
Preceded by
SHOT
Director: Aemilia Scott
Country: USA, Running Time: 9min
TWO TRAINS RUNNING
Director: Samuel Pollard
Country: USA, Running Time: 80min
A story about the search for two forgotten blues singers, set in Mississippi during the height of the civil rights movement.
Preceded by
ABBY THE SPOON LADY
Director: Justin Johnson
Country: USA, Running Time: 12min
WHAT LIES UPSTREAM
Director: Cullen Hoback
Country: USA, Running Time: 89min
An investigation of the largest chemical drinking water contamination in a generation and the truth about what’s really happening with drinking water in America.
Preceded by
SOARING BACK: MESSAGE TO THE FUTURE
Director: Bev Chapman
Country: USA, Running Time: 14min
WHOSE STREETS?
Directors: Sabaah Folayen, Damon Davis
Country: USA, Running Time: 90min
Told by the activists and leaders who live and breathe this movement for justice, Whose Streets? is an unflinching look at the Ferguson uprising.
Preceded by
ONE WEEK IN APRIL
Director: Matthew Palmer
Country: USA, Running Time: 10min
WOMAN ON FIRE
Director: Julie Sokolow
Country: USA, Running Time: 90min
Follow Brooke Guinan, the first openly transgender firefighter in New York City as she sets out to challenge perceptions of what it means to be transgender in America today.
THE UNTOLD TALES OF ARMISTEAD MAUPIN
Director: Jennifer M. Kroot
Country: USA, Running Time: 90min
Follow the evolution of one of the world’s most beloved storytellers from a conservative son of the Old South into a gay rights pioneer whose novels inspired millions to reclaim their lives.
SHORTS PROGRAMS, Sponsored by Kansas Grip
ACTION | THRILLER STORIES (TRT: 101min)
When action is required, action is taken.
FROM ASHES TO IMMORTALITY | d. Eric Hyde | USA/Lawrence | 2017 | 26m
INCENDIO | d. Slater Dixon | USA | 2016 | 6m
JUST GO! | d. Pavels Gumennikovs | Latvia | 2017 | 11m
THE LONG ISLAND WOLF | d. Julien Lasseur | USA | 2017 | 8m
METICULOUS | d. Samantha Chalmers | Canada | 2017 | 3m
POTBOILER | d. Nate Jones | USA/Wichita | 2017 | 7m
ROGER | d. Ingrid Masarnau Amorós, Sonia Cendón Quireza, Sara Esteban Riera, Arnau Gòdia Montesinos, Martí Montañola Vilet | Spain | 2016 | 8m
SATORI | d. Tyler Doehring | USA/Wichita | 2017 | 13m
THE VETTING | d. Matthew Dunehoo | USA/Lawrence | 2016 | 19m
CHEER | COMEDY STORIES (TRT: 109min)
Stories that come from every shade of humor.
24 DAYS OF TORTURE | d. Vik & Nes Collective | USA | 2016 | 2m
ALFRED J HEMLOCK | d. Edward Lyons | Australia | 2016 | 14m
THE BLONDES | d. Carlota Martínez Pereda | Spain | 2016 | 18m
CATHERINE | d. Britt Raes | Belgium | 2016 | 12m
CLANKER MAN | d. Ben Steiner | UK | 2017 | 11m
DAYTIME NOON | d. Micah Perta | USA | 2016 | 13m
GETTING ED LAID | d. Deborah Pearl | USA | 2016 | 25m
JULY | d. Patrick Letterii | USA | 2016 | 7m
ROGER | d. Brendan Cleaves | UK | 2016 | 7m
CHOICES | DECISION STORIES (TRT: 114min)
Transitions, decisions and consequences along the way.
ACE | d. Morgan K Nichols | USA | 2017 | 13m
FRY DAY | d. Laura Moss | USA | 2017 | 16m
GAME | d. Jeannie Donohoe | USA | 2017 | 15m
JOY RIDE | d. Niav Conty | USA | 2017 | 16m
RETOUCH | d. Kaveh Mazaheri | Iran | 2017 | 20m
REAL ARTISTS | d. Cameo Wood | USA | 2016 | 12m
SPRING | d. Laurel Parmet | USA | 2017 | 7m
TEACHERS | d. Mark Columbus | USA | 2016 | 15m
COLOR | LGBTQ STORIES (TRT: 107min)
Addressing fluidity involved in all the colors of the rainbow.
DUSK | d. Jake Graf | UK | 2017 | 15m
MAKE IT UP | d. Courtney Hope Therond | USA | 2016 | 5m
ROSEMARY & JULIET | d. Shane Wallace | USA/Wichita | 2017 | 24m
SISSYMAN | d. Joshua Atesh Litle | USA | 2017 | 7m
SQUARE ROOT | d. Youssef Ouarak | Poland | 2016 | 15m
SUPERHEROES | d. Volker Petters | Germany | 2017 | 16m
SWIM | d. Mari Walker | USA | 2016 | 10m
WEDDING PATROL | d. Rogier Hardeman | Germany | 2016 | 15m
CONNECT | RELATIONSHIP STORIES (TRT: 102min)
Dating, marrying, meeting, relating and getting along.
ANOTHER GIRL | d. Austin Kase | USA | 2016 | 22m
FRANKIE KEEPS TALKING | d. Annabelle Attanasio | USA | 2016 | 8m
HIGHLIGHT | d. Shahrzad Dadger | Iran | 2017 | 23m
MATCH | d. Danny Muñoz | Indonesia | 2016 | 3m
NOT HERE, NOT THERE | d. Jan Wagner | Germany | 2016 | 8m
OUIJA SEX | d. Mondo Ghulam | UK | 2017 | 5m
#SELFIE | d. David Lorenz | Germany | 2016 | 8m
THE THING ABOUT THE MORNING AFTER | d. Denise Powers | USA | 2016 | 9m
VALENTIN | d. Ingrid Hübscher | Germany | 2016 | 16m
ENCOURAGE | SUPPORT STORIES (TRT: 99min)
29 YEARS: A Journey to Restore Hope in Myanmar | d. Hunter Buchanan
USA/Myanmar | 2017 | 26m
CIRCUS (Cabuwazi) BEYOND BORDERS | d. Gertrud Schulte Westenberg Germany | 2016 | 30m
GAME CHANGER | d. Lisa Eismen | Australia | 2017 | 17m
OSHA’S GIFT | d. Hind Abdullah | United Arab Emirates | 2016 | 9m
ENDURE | REFUGEE STORIES (TRT: 96min)
IN OUR COUNTY | d. Louisa Wagener | Austria/Eritrea | 2016 | 30m
LEFTOVERS | d. Or Carny | Israel/Sudan | 2016 | 30m
STAYING WITH FRIENDS (Zu Gast Bei Freunden) | d. Luisa Ricar | Switzerland | 2017 | 25m
UNWELCOME | d. Ida Theresa Myklebost | USA | 2017 | 16m
FINALE | DYING STORIES (TRT: 113min)
You never know when your time is up.
GOLDFISH | d. Facundo V. Scalerandi | Germany | 2017 | 30m
GRIDLOCK | d. Ian Hunt Duffy | Ireland | 2016 | 20m
LIMBO | d. Jean-Luc Julien | Germany | 2017 | 10m
MURDER SUICIDE | d. Luke Knezevic | USA | 2017 | 7m
OVERLOVE | d. Lucas Helth | Denmark | 2017 | 22m
SPUTNIK | d. Vicente Bonet | Spain | 2016 | 24m
SHINE | CREATIVE STORIES (TRT: 110min)
Artful creations of animation and experiment.
CHIKA, THE DOG IN THE GHETTO | d. Sandra Schießl | Germany | 2017 | 17m
DARREL | d. Marc Briones Piulachs, Alan Carabantes Person | Spain | 2016 | 4m
THE EVIL | d. Carlon Hardt | Brazil | 2016 | 2m
THE FISH CURRY | d. Abhishek Verma | India | 2017 | 12m
FOREIGN LOCAL | d. Moriya Benavot | Israel | 2016 | 10m
GINEVRA | d. Tess Martin | Netherlands | 2017 | 4m
HOW DO YOU PRONOUNCE PHO? | d. Carol Nguyen | Canada | 2016 | 5m
IMPENETRABLE AS NIGHT | d. Benjamin Rosenthal | USA/Lawrence | 2016 | 8m
KUKUSCHKA | d. Dina Velikovskaya | Russia | 2017 | 9m
MANKURT | d. Ermina Takenova | UK | 2017 | 7m
RAILMENT | d. Shunsaku Hayashi | Japan | 2017 | 10m
RIPRIVACY | d. Aycan Basar | Turkey | 2017 | 5m
A SUMMER’S DAY (Ein Sommertag) | d. Philipp Hester, Kira König, Janis Leonard Heller | Germany | 2017 | 4m
“THE TALK” TRUE STORIES ABOUT THE BIRDS AND THE BEES | d. Alain Delannoy | Canada | 2016 | 9m
URBAN AUDIO SPECTRUM | d. Marina Schnider | Germany | 2016 | 4m
TWILIGHT | AGING STORIES (TRT: 102min)
Facing challenges that arise later in life.
BARTLEBY | d. Laura Naylor | USA | 2016 | 12m
DIME SHORT | d. Krista Gano | USA | 2016 | 12m
DON REPERTO | d. Irma Orozco | Mexico | 2017 | 12m
EDITH + EDDIE | d. Laura Checkoway | USA | 2017 | 26m
FERRUCCIO: STORY OF (A LITTLE) ROBOT | d. Stefano De Felici | Italy | 2017 | 7m
HOLD ON | d. Christine Turner | USA | 2017 | 9m
RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE NOSE | d. Marco Arruda | Brazil | 2016 | 4m
SECOND TO NONE | d. Vincent Gallagher | Ireland | 2016 | 8m
TEN MORE | d. Brad Riddell | USA | 2016 | 12m
VIEWPOINT (POV) | SHORT STORIES DIRECTED BY WOMEN (99min)
Narratives covering tough topics from the XX chromosome’s POV.
62 DAYS | d. Rebecca Haimowitz | USA | 2017 | 30m
FANTASY | d. Kate Gondwe | USA/Wichita | 2017 | 6m
GIRL-HEARTED | d. Anne Scheschonk | Germany | 2016 | 37m
LIBERATION | d. Veronica Andersson | Poland | 2017 | 13m
TEMPORARY | d. Milena Govich | USA | 2017 | 13m
JOEL FEIN SPOTLIGHT ON EMERGING FILMMAKERS PROGRAM
(TRT: 88min)
BIRTH OF A FILMMAKER | d. Blaise Webster | Wichita | 2017 | 2m
CHASING FANTASY | d. Taylan Huslig | Wichita | 2017 | 6m
CYCLE | d. Caleb Wild | Florida | 2016 | 11m
FINISH LINE | d. Riley Street | California | 2016 | 9m
HEARTSTRINGS | d. Caleb Garrett | California | 2016 | 3m
THE IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE | d. Matthew Crawford, Jimmy Nguyen Hutchinson | 2016 | 14m
JIMMY THE LIMO DRIVER | d. Brenden Hickey | Washington | 2016 | 6m
LIFE’S A MURDER | d. Brett Jones | Derby | 2016 | 9m
MADOKA | d. Callahan Bracken | Canada | 2016 | 4m
REVERSE | d. Andrew Kivett | Wichita | 2016 | 4m
ROAD KILL | d. Pyoung-won Seo | South Korea | 2017 | 5m
TWO OF FIVE MILLION | d. Socs & DZ Zavitsanos | Texas/Greece | 2017 | 6m
YELLOW | d. Rowyn Mottershead | UK | 2017 | 9m
TIMOTHY GRUVER SPOTLIGHT ON KANSAS FILMMAKERS PROGRAM (TRT: 99min)
THE AFTERMATH | d. Kyle Solomon | Wichita | 2016 | 2m
BOOK CLUB — DTTW 24HR FILM RACE AUDIENCE AWARD WINNER d. Jackson Laurie | Wichita | 2017 | 7m
CECILIA | d. Jordan Horsch | Mount Hope | 2017 | 16m
CHILD LOST | d. Ellen Crispin | Wichita | 2017 | 14m
A DANGEROUS PROFESSION | d. Anita Cordell | Shawnee | 2017 | 10m
DRAGTIVISTS | d. Savannah Rodgers | Lawrence | 2017 | 7m
FIREDANCE | d. Hunter Harding | Lawrence | 2016 | 2m
FOR SALE | d. Savannah Rodgers | Lawrence | 2017 | 2m
ONE KRAZY COYOTE CALLER | d. Michael Stephan | Winchester | 2016 | 11m
RABBITS | d. Patrick Clement | Wichita | 2016 | 13m
SLEEP PARALYSIS | d. Cole Campbell, Cameron Lawrence | Wichita | 2017 | 3m
THAT SMELL | d. Kyle Lavore | Lenexa | 2017 | 12m
SHORTS BEFORE FEATURES
ABBY THE SPOON LADY | d. Justin Johnson | USA | 2017 | 12m (with TWO TRAINS RUNNIN’)
ALL AMERICAN | d. Michael Ayjian, Stephen Skeel | USA | 2017 | 26m (with ANGELS OF THE SKY)
ALL THE MARBLES | d. Michael Swingler | USA | 2017 | 18m (with LAND OF THE LITTLE PEOPLE)
BLACK CAT | d. Pascal Mercay | Australia | 2017 | 14m (with DINA)
CONTENDERS | d. Divya Pathak | UK/India | 2017 | 13m (with CITY OF JOY)
DRAGTIVISTS | d. Savannah Rodgers | USA/Lawrence | 2017 | 7m (with ALASKA IS A DRAG)
EVE | d. Brittany “B.Monét” Fennell | USA | 2017 | 6m (with SEAT 25)
FAMILY REWRITTEN | d. Yasmin Mistry | USA | 2017 | 14m (with AHKEEM)
GARDENERS OF THE FOREST | d. Ceylan Carhoglu, Nicole Jordan-Webber | USA | 2017 | 15m (with JANE)
GOODBYE, OLD GLORY | d. Jordan Haro | USA/ KS???? | 2017 | 17m (with BLACK COP)
IT’S JUST A GUN | d. Brian Robau | USA | 2017 | 15m (with GOOK)
JAMIE | d. Christopher Manning | USA | 2017 | 9m (with THE UNTOLD STORIES OF ARMISTEAD MAUPIN)
JUST GO! | d. Pavels Gumennikovs | Latvia | 2017 | 11m (with STUMPED)
KITTY AND ELLEN | d. Leah Galant | USA | 2017 | 17m (with BIG SONIA)
ONE WEEK IN APRIL | d. Matthew Palmer | USA | 2017 | 10m (with WHOSE STREETS?)
SILO: THE EDGE OF THE REAL WORLD | d. Marshall Burnette | USA | 2017 | 11m (with DOLORES)
RULE OF NATURE | d. Dieter Primig | Nambia | 2017 | 26m (with ARCTIC SUPERSTAR)
SHOT | d. Aemilia Scott | USA | 2017 | 9m (with TRUE CONVICTIONS)
SHY GUYS | d. Fredric Lehne | USA | 2017 | 9m (with LUCKY)
SOARING BACK: MESSAGE TO THE FUTURE | d. Bev Chapman | USA | 2017 | 15m (with WHAT LIES UPSTREAM)
THE DAY BEFORE | d. Geoff Marslett | USA | 2017 | 17m (with DAVE MADE A MAZE)
THE FINAL SHOW | d. Dana Nachman | USA | 2017 | 10m (with THE FEELS)
THE GRAND ILLUSION | d. Preston Mack | USA | 2017 | 19m (with FAST BREAK)
WHEEL OF LIFE | d. Marcia Jamel, Ken Schneider | USA/Cuba | 2017 | 15m (with OSKARA)
Honorees Rose McGowan and Larry Gross lead the Tallgrass International Film Festival’s 15th Anniversary edition; pair of South African films, a focus on female documentarians, and honorees Rose McGowan and Larry Gross