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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
Right-click to download:
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!