Tallgrass Takes Center Stage
Sitting at her desk in the Emily Bonavia Tallgrass Film Center, Executive Director Melanie Addington pores over the work that keeps her busy year round. After all, the film festival alone screens 200+ films in addition to hosting interactive panels focused on film education and appreciation as well as forums designed specifically for industry professionals.
In fact, Tallgrass Film Festival was voted Top 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee in 2021 by MovieMaker and USA Today Top 10 US Film Festivals of 2024. Yet, despite these high profile accolades, many Wichitans remain unaware of the gem that sits quite literally in the middle of the city.
Tallgrass Film Association Executive Director Melanie Addington
There's No Place Like Home
Tallgrass Film Festival was born in 2003 of Tim Gruver's vision to create a top tier film festival in Wichita. In the same spirit as Telluride Film Festival, Tallgrass has grown from an inaugural festival of 95 screenings to a film makers haven with literal year round programming showcasing an array of cinematic offerings that spans the length and breadth of the independent film world.
Addington, a Wichita transplant herself who has worked with other festivals including the Oxford Film Festival in Mississippi, says what made her apply for her current position was her visit to Wichita in 2017 when she was invited to sit on that year's festival jury. "I totally fell in love with Wichita…so when a job opened up, I was like, yeah, why not? Let's do it."
A packed screening schedule from Tallgrass Film Festival 2022 (Tallgrass Film Association)
More Than a Festival: Tallgrass Year Round
One of the challenges facing Tallgrass is remaining relevant in an increasingly online and streaming world. In the heyday of the film festival around the turn of the century, in the absence of YouTube and Hulu, among others, festivals were often the only way to see many films without travelling to New York City or Los Angeles, especially films that were not large Hollywood studio projects.
"Nationally, we have a great presence because of the work that's been put in for 20 years," Melanie says. "So the original mission remains the same. We really just promote film from all over the world and try and encourage our local film makers."
The Emily Bonavia Film Center at 120 E. 1st St. is also available for private events. (tallgrassfilm.org)
Indeed, Tallgrass offers a wide array of programming throughout the year including a film alliance for local film makers and a summer emerging film makers program for teenagers. TFA also champions queer inclusion and partners with the Transgender Film Center to offer free waivers to trans film makers anywhere in the world.
Addington adds, "I'm part of the disabled community, so we make sure we're accessible in lots of ways...one of those being economic." Films shown at the Tallgrass Film Center located at 120 E. 1st St. are indeed a fraction of the price of the chain theater options. And while they do offer concessions, Addington says theatergoers are welcome to bring along their own movie treat without having to smuggle it in.
Better Together
Another way Tallgrass is working to connect Wichitans with film is through local partnerships. One such partnership is with CINE-GENIC, a video rental membership program housed within Vortex Souvenir in Delano. In addition to CINE-GENIC's own member benefits, TFA offers CINE-GENIC members one free screening per month at the Tallgrass micro-cinema.
Not to be outdone, the micro-cinema itself also features a free "take a film, leave a film" exchange program out of a repurposed blue newspaper vending machine that evokes the nostalgia of the once-ubiquitous blue glow of the video rental store.
The "Free Blockbuster" located at 120 E. 1st. St.
Pridegrass Standing Tall
Another recent addition to the Tallgrass repertoire is Pridegrass, a selection of LGBTQ+ films shown during Pride month. Addington says that it was important to the TFA team to be more aligned and involved with the community and TFA partners. "Really, part of it was going to [Pride In the Park 2021] and going, oh, cool...We wanted to be a part of it."
Pridegrass 2024 screenings. (Tallgrass Film Association)
And while the Midwest carries a certain reputation when it comes to queer inclusion, Melanie doesn't think it has to be that way. "There can be spaces, and making sure people feel welcome and find each other here is kind of our main thing." In that pursuit, Tallgrass reached out to Wichita Pride Inc. and asked what they could do. Wichita Pride suggested showing LGBTQ+ films.
"That is one thing we can definitely do," Melanie says excitedly. She adds that the medium of film helps to create and encourage important dialogues about the human experience and personal identity. "It's more fun to be with a community watching…instead of just sitting on your couch."
John Waters' Desperate Living (1977) (imdb.com)
Now in it's third year, Pridegrass '24 is leaning into fun and celebration, featuring a hand-picked selection of queer films, including iconic classics such as Priscilla Queen of the Desert and But I'm a Cheerleader. The Gate Record Store is also partnering with TFA for a screening of John Waters' Desperate Living, and CINE-GENIC is presenting a surprise Members Only screening that Addington will only hint to as "a film that is very on fire".
To Infinity and Beyond
And the future is looking bright for Tallgrass as they continue to grow. Tallgrass Film Association is looking forward to building on its relationship with the local community and expanding upon its existing theater space. Addington says that TFF is also currently working on becoming an Oscar-qualifying festival. "Right now, it's just kind of all of the boring stuff like juries. But yeah, it's exciting."
All Pridegrass screenings are FREE with a Pride button while seating is available.
As an added bonus, attendees who wear pink or blue to But I'm a Cheerleader will receive a FREE popcorn! Be sure to check out Tallgrass Film Association for the full Pridegrass screening schedule and other ticketing information.