By The Shout

The following announcement is based on a press release from the Tallgrass Film Association.

WICHITA — The Tallgrass Film Association will preview four featured films and introduce its new programming team at an event this Friday, September 4.

The free event takes place from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Tallgrass Film Center inside The Lux, 120 E. 1st St., Suite 113. Attendees can meet the programmers and get a sneak peek of the festival’s nightly spotlight films “Yo (Love Is a Rebellious Bird),” “Loves Company,” “Copeland,” and “Crystal Cross.” Each film will anchor one night of the October festival.

This year marks a new chapter for Tallgrass, which is now administered by Harvester Arts. Tom Mittlestadt, Tallgrass events and logistics director since the festival's founding, is the new Tallgrass managing director. In the expanded role, he'll oversee operations for both the festival and the Tallgrass Film Center.

Other new staff are programming director Ouma Amadou and programming coordinator Hugo Phan. Amadou joins Tallgrass from Ragtag Cinema in Columbia, Missouri. She's joined by Phan, a lifelong Wichitan, longtime Tallgrass volunteer, and KMUW journalist whose reporting has long centered on Wichita's creative communities.

2026 Spotlight Films

“Yo (Love Is a Rebellious Bird)” (dir. Anna Fitch, Banker White) After losing her friend Yo, Anna spends a decade building a detailed 1/3-scale replica of Yo's house, just large enough to squeeze through the door, with a puppet of Yo inside. The film blends vérité footage with handcrafted recreation to honor a woman who lived life on her own terms. (Documentary Feature Competition. Kansas Premiere.)

“Loves Company” (dir. Jason Laurits, starring Rachel Dratch) Faded gameshow personality Blake de Troy is rescued after a car crash by his #1 (and only remaining) fan, Florida outcast Antoinette Funk. Convinced he's been kidnapped, Blake soon realizes his "kidnapping" might be the publicity boost his career needs. (Narrative Feature Competition. Regional Premiere.)

“Copeland” (dir. Pablo Aragüés, produced by local filmmaker Shawn Rhodes) This documentary traces the career of Stewart Copeland, drummer for The Police, from his childhood in Beirut through his film scoring work with Francis Ford Coppola and Oliver Stone. It features never-before-seen vintage footage shot by Copeland himself. (Out of Competition. Regional Premiere.)

“Crystal Cross” (dir. Richie James Follin) Dotty, a Christian singer in trouble, believes she's found a sign from God when she meets James, a man who looks strikingly like Jesus and offers her a ride out of town. Their journey becomes a darkly comic, tender story about survival and connection. (Stubbornly Independent Competition. Regional Premiere.)

"These four films span very different genres, from documentary to comedy to drama, but each represent an exciting and fresh perspective in filmmaking," said Amadou, the programming director. "Tallgrass Film Festival has always endeavored to bring together audiences around the art of film, and these films invite audiences to consider the place of art in their own lives.”

The festival will again be based in Old Town Square, and most screenings will take place at Boulevard Theatres in Old Town. A large tent will host daytime community-focused activities, filmmaker meet-and-greets, and evening parties. The festival box office will be located at CityArts, and the filmmaker and VIP lounges will occupy Rock Island Studios. Opening night will be held at Shocker Studios, and the newly renovated Orpheum Theatre will host additional screenings on the Saturday of the festival.

Throughout the festival, festivalgoers will spot Poppi, the official Tallgrass mascot, greeting audiences and filmmakers at screenings and events.

Presenting sponsors for the 2026 Tallgrass Film Festival are KAKE-TV, Cargill and Kate and Clay Bastian. Visit Wichita and Dan & Lynette Murphy are premier sponsors.

Learn more on the Tallgrass website or purchase your passes for the 2026 festival.

Announcements are submissions from arts and cultural organizations and community members. They are published at the discretion of SHOUT editors and may be lightly edited. Send press releases and other announcements to emily@shoutwichita.com.

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