2024 Tallgrass Film Festival Film Schedule of Special Events and Galas

Thursday, Oct. 24th

Filmmaker Mentorship Sessions

Century II Cherry 202 | 1:00-4:00 PM 

Kick off your Tallgrass experience with our Mentorship Sessions, an engaging event designed to welcome our filmmakers and set the stage for a weekend of film, fun, and fellowship! Think of it as a twist on speed dating, where you'll have the opportunity to connect with industry experts in a series of small group conversations. Afterwards, we’ll head over to the Opening Reception for drinks and more networking as we celebrate the start of the festival together.

Please note this event is for 2024 Tallgrass Filmmakers only. Space is limited, so please be sure to RSVP above to sign up in advance.

SAG Indie Reception

Hopping Gnome Brewing Co. | 4:30-6:30 PM 

Join us to celebrate the start of the festival with drinks and networking. Kevin Marlo Band will perform at Hopping Gnome to celebrate Luther Vandross. Soulsations with Carla Eckels presents the Opening Night Gala Film LUTHER: NEVER TOO MUCH

Piatto light bites, beer, nonalcoholic beverages at Hopping Gnome, and a sample tasting of Filmland Whiskey

Please note this event is for 2024 Tallgrass VIP Passholders & Industry guests only, or with the purchase of a Gala ticket

Opening Gala Film: Luther: Never Too Much

Century II Mary Jane Teall | 7:00 PM 

Join us for the Opening Gala Film LUTHER: NEVER TOO MUCH - a heartfelt and joyous tribute to Luther Vandross and his music, presented by Soulsations with Carla Eckels

To attend the Reception at Hopping Gnome before the film, select the Gala Film + Pre-Reception ticket option (available for purchase only) & you'll receive one ticket for each event.

(Passholders can reserve these tickets separately.)

Friday, Oct. 25th 

Meet the Programmers / Meet the Filmmakers 

Century II Cherry 202 | 10:00-11:15 AM 

Moderated by Crickett Rumley, Panels Director

Panelists: Tallgrass Executive Director Melanie Addington, Programming Director Andre Seward, and Programmers Alex Megaro, Brian Ratigan, and Canan Turan.

Join us for an informal mix-and-mingle session with the crackerjack team behind our Stubbornly Independent programming and you, the filmmakers of Tallgrass 2024! You’ll learn how to make the most of your festival experience, hear more about the films screening this weekend, and get to talk to each other in a setting more casual than a Q&A and quieter than 3 AM karaoke.

Sign up for this session is limited to pass type: Filmmaker, Jury, Industry, and Media

SAG AFTRA Low Budget Contracts Made Easy

Century II Cherry 202 | 1:00-2:15 PM 

A great cast can help level up a low-budget indie film. But many filmmakers assume they can't afford to hire SAG-AFTRA actors. While going through the SAG-AFTRA signatory process may seem intimidating, SAGindie makes it easier by educating independent producers about the ins and outs of hiring professional actors for low-budget films. This workshop, perfect for beginners, highlights the details of the various contracts SAG-AFTRA offers to low-budget films, demystifies the process of working with the union, and offers best practices for indie producers.

The Marriage of Music and Film 

Century II Cherry 202 | 4:00-5:15 PM 

Moderated by John Haley

Music and film have been in relationship since the dawn of cinema, and today’s filmmakers spend considerable time and effort curating music for their work. This conversation will explore how directors and musicians collaborate in both narrative fiction and documentary films and identify key considerations for designing soundtracks, from selecting pre-existing music to understanding the contributions a composer or original artist can bring to the experience

Masquerade Party

CityArts | 9:30-11:30 PM 

A private afterparty for Tallgrass VIP Passholders, join us as we celebrate with a Masquerade. Make your own mask in the VIP lounge that day or on site or bring one you have! Wind down with us in a cozy late night with light bites, whiskey tasting and more.

Saturday, Oct. 26th 

Reflections on Hattie McDaniel 

The Kansas African American Museum | 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM 

Moderated by Denise Sherman

Filmmaker, actor, and public speaker, Kevin John Goff attributes much of his entrepreneurial spirit to his legendary entertainment family, The McDaniels. The great-grandnephew of Hollywood's first black artist to win an Oscar (actress Hattie McDaniel, for her work on the 1939 film Gone with the Wind), Goff continues to honor her legacy by inspiring the newest generation to take courage from her trailblazing accomplishments. He will speak on the personal life of growing up with Hattie.

Women in Film Today

Century II Cherry 202 | 1:00-2:15 PM

Moderated by Jennifer Merin

Join us for an empowering and insightful discussion with filmmakers who are not only shaping the future of cinema but also creating more inclusive and diverse narratives. This event will delve into the latest industry trends, focusing on the successes, challenges, and unique experiences of female filmmakers from various backgrounds and identities.

We warmly invite all women, women-identifying, and non-binary individuals, along with allies, to attend.

Filmmaking Unveiled: Navigating the Essentials for Actor Filmmakers

Century II Cherry 202 | 3:00-4:15 PM

Presented by Valore Hubbard

Ready to create your own film as an actor filmmaker but unsure where to start? Join Valorie in this workshop that unpacks the filmmaking process for actors. She will share crucial insights on how to begin, what elements you need, and the order in which to tackle them. Explore the roadmap to crafting your own film, with practical guidance from an industry expert to set you on the right path.

Black Representation on Screen: Then and Now

Orpheum Theatre | 6:00 PM 

Join the conversation with Kevin John Goff, David Parks and our Gordon Parks filmmakers as they discuss representation of Black people on the big and small screen, What's changed, what's stayed the same, and what to strive towards in the future.

This free conversation directly follows the screening of the film IN THIS OUR LIVES which is ticketed separately. To attend the film, you must purchase a ticket for that screening. Click HERE for that ticket.

Albany Road Gala (Film + Party) Presented by Cargill

Orpheum Theatre | 8:00 PM 

Includes admission to the film at the Orpheum Theatre PLUS you'll also receive a separate, complimentary ticket for the Zombie Bites & Cinema Frights Party at Broadway Auto Park following the film!

It seemed Celeste’s life was on a perfect fairy tale path. She excelled in a demanding job she loved with promotions forthcoming. Then there was her soul mate, Kyle. Theirs was a relationship on the fast track to optimal bliss or at least it seemed. No one could have foreseen the degree to which one person could change the whole trajectory of Celeste’s life, forever. But Kyle’s mother, Paula, had it in for Celeste the moment she laid eyes on the girl who would take away her one and only son. But Paula was not about to let that happen. So, it didn’t. One year after the whole Kyle/Paula debacle and on her way to the most important meeting of her career, Celeste literally bumps into Paula at the airport. Due to bad weather, all flights are cancelled forcing Celeste and Paula to share the only remaining rental car in the airport from NYC to Washington, D.C. In a truly unexpected turn of events, Celeste discovers that Paula is hiding a major secret from everyone, including her son, Kyle. Burdened with this heavy information, Celeste begins to soften towards Paula all the while trying to convince her to tell Kyle the truth she is hiding from him. Paula slowly realizes that she misjudged Celeste and may have made a mistake getting between her and Kyle. As the two begin to create a bond of understanding, the inclement weather conditions force them to take a detour to Paula’s cousin’s house for the night. To both their surprise, there are additional house guests for the evening, including Kyle and his new fiancée! And to be expected, the proverbial crap hits the fan.

Zombie Bits & Cinema Frights Party 

Broadway Auto Park | 9:30-11:30 PM 

Join us at Zombie Bites and Cinema Frights for an interactive party experience. Enjoy light bites, drinks, tunes curated by Spektrum Muzik and all of the tips and tricks to survive and thrive during this zombie takeover. At this party, it's kill or be killed, and you got to do what it takes to survive.

Sunday, Oct. 27th 

Awards Brunch Presented by Margarita's Cantina

Margarita's Cantina | 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM 

This event is available to Tallgrass VIP Passholders only. Brunch and two drinks on Margaritas!

DJ Carbon will host the juried awards, and the winners will be announced shortly afterward for virtual and in-person encores.

Facts and Fallacies about the Short Film Festival Run

Century II Cherry 202 | 2:00-3:15 PM

Moderated by Crickett Rumley

With over 30,000 film festivals in the world, new and emerging filmmakers often struggle to create a strategy or even know what their strategy should be. In this candid conversation, our team of festival programmers and strategists will bust through the myths, misinformation, cons, and scams abounding in today’s festival circuit to deliver timely information that will help you navigate the system and manage your expectations. Come with questions, because with our combined experience of over a hundred years, we’ve got answers.

Ask an Entertainment Attorney

Century II Cherry 202 | 4:00-5:15 PM

If you’re making a film in the U.S., chances are you’ve encountered legal questions around topics ranging from releases and insurance to distribution and financing contracts. In this dynamic session our entertainment attorney will take your burning questions, unpack the law, and provide general guidelines on how to proceed. He’s not your lawyer, though, and the answer to every question will likely start with “It depends…”

Tyler Emerson is an entertainment attorney at Conlee Schmidt & Emerson LLP with more than a decade of experience. In his motion picture practice, he counsels production companies in connection with structuring, financing and distribution; rights clearance; provides production legal services.; and arbitration services. He also represents individual producers, writers, actors and social media influencers. In addition to his law practice, Tyler is a writer and producer, most recently producing the critically-acclaimed Chasing Chasing Amy, distributed by Level 33, and Greg's Going To Rehab, now in post-production and starring Cameron Mann, Sailor Bell, Jim Beaver and Dot-Marie Jones.

Closing Karaoke Party

Barleycorn's | 9:00 PM - 1:30 AM 

Close out the film festival by singing your best karaoke at Barleycorn's. Admission for Tallgrass VIP Passholders Only. Cash bar.