The largest independent film festival in the state of Kansas. A hallmark of the region’s cinematic landscape and an internationally recognized, multi-day platform for world-class cinematic programming, the festival is a program of the Tallgrass Film Association, a 501(c)3 arts organization that fosters an appreciation of the cinematic arts by creating shared experiences around the international medium of film.
A cool Midwestern city that truly represents the spirit and hospitality of America's Heartland, Wichita is also home to a large art and music community, a growing filmmaking community, and generous patrons of the arts making Tallgrass audiences a hallmark of the festival. Sophisticated movie-goers of all ages and backgrounds - hungry for quality independent film - audiences are receptive, opinionated, and genuine. Screening a film at Tallgrass is a catalyst for generating awareness and buzz in the epicenter of the country that radiates throughout the region. Also accessible at Tallgrass, are the visiting filmmakers. Due to the city’s authentic nature, it’s common to find an Oscar-winning filmmaker deep in conversation with a high school documentarian or an avid movie-goer.
Tallgrass Film Festival will grant juried awards in the following categories:
• Stubbornly Independent: $5,000 and one-of-a-kind Tallgrass tap handle + NEW IN 2023: free DCP from Selig Polyscope Company
• Woman Filmmaker Spotlight: $5,000 and award (Presented by Fidelity Bank)
• Gordon Parks Award for Black Excellence in Filmmaking: $5,000, $15,000 value Panavision Camera Rental and an award (Presented by Cargill).
Other Cash Prizes are:
• Best Kansas Filmmaker Documentary Short Film
• Best Kansas Filmmaker Narrative Short Film
• Best Emerging Documentary and Narrative Short
• Best Narrative and Documentary Short
• Best Narrative and Documentary Feature
• $250 Best Vortex Short Sponsored by Lynda & Mark Carrier-Metz
• Best Miró Film
Audience Votes equal cash also!
• Audience Award Winning Documentary & Narrative Feature
• Audience Award-Winning Narrative and Documentary Short
Other Non-Juried awards include the Golden Strands Awards (awarded by Tallgrass Programming Directors) for:
• Excellence in the Art of Filmmaking
• Outstanding Courage in Filmmaking
• Outstanding Cinematography
• Outstanding Screenplay
• Outstanding Editing
• Outstanding Animation
• Outstanding Rising Star
• Outstanding Performance
• Outstanding Supporting Performance
• Outstanding Ensemble Cast
• Outstanding First Feature
EDA Awards Renews for Year Three: The Alliance of Women Film Journalists’ EDA Awards recognize the amazing work done by and about women–both in front and behind the camera. AWFJ presents EDA Awards at year’s end and throughout the year at selected film festivals. The EDAs are named in honor of AWFJ founder Jennifer Merin’s mother, Eda Reiss Merin, a stage, film and television actress whose career spanned more than 60 years. A dedicated foot soldier in the industry, Eda was one of the founders of AFTRA and a long-standing Member of AMPAS. EDA is also an acronym for Excellent Dynamic Activism, qualities shared by Eda Reiss Merin, AWFJ members and those honored with EDA Awards.