I can't — I'm going to Tallgrass
Wichita's annual film festival starts today, and I am unavailable for everything else
Every year, I take a vacation without leaving town.
Months beforehand, I block out the dates of the Tallgrass Film Festival on my calendar. For the duration, I am unavailable.
I’ve attended at least one screening every year since the festival’s inception in 2003, but I didn’t start treating the festival as a “staycation” until well into its second decade. But once I started, I couldn’t imagine doing it any other way. We even honeymooned at Tallgrass in 2019 (and invited our friends and family to join us).
I’m finishing this newsletter just after catching the first shorts program of the festival, which runs through Sunday. If you haven’t made plans already, it may be too late to enjoy a true staycation. But if you love movies, I’d encourage you to try something new at Tallgrass this year, whether it’s attending a free screening at the Advanced Learning Library or buying a ticket to a gala movie and after party.
My top three reasons to go to Tallgrass:
1. The community vibes are excellent.
Most people who go to film festivals freaking love movies. They’re nerds! That’s mostly who you’ll meet at Tallgrass parties and in the VIP lounge, where even the most awkward person in the world (hello, it’s me) can easily get a conversation off the ground. “Seen anything good yet?” is the only opening you need. (In case that fails, “What are you excited to see?” is another good one.)
I think the terms “VIP lounge” and “gala party” confused me before I experienced them — they sounded like places I might not feel comfortable. But I almost always feel at ease at Tallgrass. At times you might even confuse me for an extrovert.
Nearly every year I’ve added to the collection of people I enjoy hanging out with at at the festival, and many of those relationships began over a beer or NuWay burger in the lounge.
2. Inspiration is everywhere.
Many Tallgrass attendees are filmmakers, and I often feel almost high from being around creative people for several days in a row. I often find I learn a surprising amount about craft and dedication from people who make different kinds of things than I do (maybe because our interactions aren’t tainted by my own competitive nature).
I’m working on something right now that could use a little boost of inspo, and I’m looking forward to the feeling of creative renewal I know I’ll feel when I get back to work on Monday.
3. Even at the $259 sticker price, the festival pass is a bargain.
Full disclosure: We bought our Tallpasses this summer at a discounted rate. But even if you pay full price, you’re getting a good deal on four days of food, entertainment, and access to the VIP Lounge, which functions as a home base for the dedicated festivalgoer. There you can grab breakfast, lunch, snacks, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages throughout the day. Each day of the fest is capped off by a gala movie and creative after party. (But you can also catch a late-night screening the first three days if that’s more your speed.)
And of course you can watch as many movies as you want, from shorts to features.
Every year there are a few other pass options available. This fest you can grab a weekend pass for $150 or a virtual-only pass for $50. Check out all the options on the Tallgrass website. or buy individual tickets online (or in person at the Tallgrass box office, located inside Candela at the Lux, 120 E. 1st St.). Students, seniors and members of the military can get 50% off tickets OR passes using the code “Senior.” (It’s also worth noting that you can earn Tallgrass tickets and even passes by serving as a volunteer.)
See you at Tallgrass!
I’m actually trying something new this year at Tallgrass: I applied for a media pass. Although I do write about film, I’m a little nervous to change my relationship to the festival. But I’m telling myself I can always go back to being a regular attendee.
Here are the films I’ve written about so far that are screening this year:
“Chasing Chasing Amy”
4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6 at TempleLive (Scottish Rite)
How ‘Chasing Amy’ changed this Kansas filmmaker’s life — and led to his own movie (Wichita Eagle)
“Penitentia”
7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6 at the Orpheum
Feature-length movie filmed in Wichita is a homecoming for director (Wichita Eagle, published July 2022)
“Night Screams”
3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7 at the Orpheum
Horror movie filmed in Wichita to get a digital upgrade and rerelease (Wichita Eagle, published in June)
That’s all for now, but look for more Tallgrass updates in your inbox. 👀
—Emily
Oh! I'm not sure I knew that you regularly attend Tallgrass... this probably means that you know my good friend Melanie who has been running it for the last few years! Lucky you! :)