The 23rd Tallgrass Film Festival lands in downtown Wichita Oct. 16-19, 2025, packing 175+ films, panels, parties and special events into four days. It’s Wichita’s premier celebration of independent cinema, drawing filmmakers and audiences from around the globe while championing our thriving arts community.
Tallgrass is devoted to independent film—narrative, documentary, shorts, animation and more—typically made outside the big-studio system. MovieMaker has called Tallgrass one of the 25 Coolest Film Festivals (2023 and 2024) and 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee in 2024, noting the nightly parties, daily panels, filmmaker support and a community that lives its “stubbornly independent” ethos.
1. What's new at this year's Tallgrass Film Festival?
With the theme, "Cinema is in our DNA," screenings will return to the Old Town District at the newly renovated Boulevard Theatre, and Gala screenings will once again light up Century II’s Mary Jane Teall Theater.
A new Tallpass Perk: Tallpass holders can reserve Gala tickets before the public (on sale now) and are invited to a Pre-Fest Program Reveal from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 10 at the Emily Bonavia Tallgrass Film Center.
2. Who attends Tallgrass Film Festival?
Tallgrass welcomes everyone, from first-timers to filmmakers. Expect Q&As, panels and nightly events where you can meet visiting artists and fellow film lovers. Annual attendance has reached as many as 16,000 patrons attending at least one film screening during the festival. More than 100 visiting filmmakers associated with the films being screened will be in Wichita to talk with audiences and industry peers.
All festival venues are accessible for wheelchair users and there is also a virtual-only badge that allows access to the films from home for most films. Additionally, most films will be caption compliant with open or closed captions available.
4. What films can I see at Tallgrass Film Festival?
Throughout the four-day festival, 175 films will be screened, including four Gala Films.
Opening Night Gala – "It's Dorothy!"
Dir. Jeffrey McHale | 97m | USA | Kansas Premiere | Documentary Feature Competition
A vibrant, culture-spanning celebration of Dorothy as an enduring symbol of hope, centering women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ voices.
Thu., Oct. 16 – 7:30 & 8:00 p.m. | Boulevard Theatres Old Town
Friday Night Gala – "Coroner to the Stars"
Dirs. Ben Hethcoat, Keita Ideno | 83m | USA | Kansas Premiere | Documentary Feature Competition
The riveting story of Dr. Thomas Noguchi, the LA coroner whose high-profile autopsies reshaped forensic science and pop culture.
Fri., Oct. 17 – 8:00 p.m. | Mary Jane Teall Theater, Century II
Saturday Night Gala – "Our Hero, Balthazar" (+ short "THUMP")
Dir. Oscar Boyson | 91m | USA | Regional Premiere | Narrative Feature Competition
A darkly comic, incisive look at adolescence, social media, and American gun culture, starring Jaeden Martell and Asa Butterfield.
Sat., Oct. 18 – 8:00 p.m. | Mary Jane Teall Theater, Century II
Short "THUMP" (Dir. Katja Stirnemann | 12m | USA | Kansas Premiere) precedes the feature.
Closing Night Gala – "Lesbian Space Princess" (+ short "She Raised Me")
Dirs. Emma Hough Hobbs, Leela Varghese | 87m | USA | Kansas Premiere
A candy-colored, riotous animated adventure through queer space with heart and hilarity.
Sun., Oct. 19 – 8:15 & 8:30 p.m. | Boulevard Theatres Old Town
Short "She Raised Me" (Dir. Ben Lewis | 14m | USA | Kansas Premiere) precedes the feature.
Go here for the full film schedule.
3. 2025 Spotlight Films
"25 Cats from Qatar" (Dir. Mye Hoang | 95m | USA/Qatar | Kansas Premiere)
Fri., Oct. 17 – 2:15 p.m. & Sun., Oct. 19 – 11:15 a.m. | Boulevard Theatres Old Town
"Ato Noturno" [Night Stage] (Dirs. Filipe Matzembacher, Marcio Reolon | 117m | Brazil | Kansas Premiere)
Fri., Oct. 17 – 11:30 p.m. | Boulevard Theatres Old Town
"God As My Witness" (Dir. Lindsay Quinn Pitre | 82m | USA | Kansas Premiere)
Sat., Oct. 18 – 5:00 p.m. | Mary Jane Teall, Century II & Sun., Oct. 19 – 5:15 p.m. | Boulevard Theatres Old Town
"Out of the Picture" (Dir. Mary Louise Schumacher | 98m | USA | Kansas Premiere)
Fri., Oct. 17 – 12:15 p.m. & Sun., Oct. 19 – 1:15 p.m. | Tallgrass Film Center
"Rosemead" (Dir. Eric Lin | 97m | USA | Kansas Premiere)
Fri., Oct. 17 – 5:00 p.m. | Mary Jane Teall, Century II & Sun., Oct. 19 – 2:15 p.m. | Boulevard Theatres Old Town
"Row of Life" (+ short Abseits – ein ungleiches Spiel) (Dir. Soraya Simi | 82m | USA | Regional Premiere)
Fri., Oct. 17 – 2:30 p.m. & Sun., Oct. 19 – 11:15 a.m. | Boulevard Theatres Old Town
"The War Between" (Dir. Deborah Correa | 97m | USA | Kansas Premiere)
Sat., Oct. 18 – 11:15 a.m. & Sun., Oct. 19 – 12:00 p.m. | Boulevard Theatres Old Town
"WTO/99" (+ short Sanctuary) (Dir. Ian Bell | 100m | USA | Kansas Premiere)
Sat., Oct. 18 – 2:15 p.m. & Sun., Oct. 19 – 2:45 p.m. | Boulevard Theatres Old Town
5. How can I attend Tallgrass Film Festival?
Tallpasses are on sale now at tff25.eventive.org/passes/buy, and individual tickets are available online as well. The full schedule and film guide can help you plan your fest experience. Can't make it in person? Enjoy the films virtually Oct. 20-27.
Make plans now to experience one of Wichita’s signature arts events, one of the Midwest’s most welcoming film festivals and a top annual Wichita festivals. See you at the movies!
