Cool off with Wichita’s alternative film events in August
Beat the heat by lounging in an air-conditioned theater. Here’s a look at alternative film events in August (titles and times are subject to change):
ORPHEUM THEATRE ANNIVERSARY FILM SERIES
Mary Jane Teall Theatre, 225 W. Douglas, https://wichitaorpheum.com/
Anniversary Film Series: “Dog Day Afternoon” (1975) – On one of the hottest days of August 1972, three amateur bank robbers plan to hold up a Brooklyn bank. It was to be a nice, simple robbery: Walk in, take the money and run. Unfortunately, the supposedly uncomplicated heist suddenly becomes a bizarre nightmare as everything that could go wrong does. Winner of the Academy Award for best original screenplay, this also boasts one of star Al Pacino’s best performances. Showing at 7 p.m., Aug. 21. $12.26 (plus taxes and fees), $11.04 for students, seniors and military.
EMILY BONAVIA TALLGRASS FILM CENTER
120 E. First St. (Unit 113), https://tallgrassfilm.org/tallgrass-film-center/
CatVideoFest 2025 (2025) – Join in for a purr-fectly fun screening in support of feline friends — a portion of ticket sales will go to the Wichita Animal Action League (WAAL). Note: Due to distributor restrictions, Tallgrass membership passes cannot be used for this event. 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2. $8 plus taxes and fees.
“We Are Guardians” (2025) – In this expansive character-driven documentary, Indigenous guardians of the Amazon rainforest in Brazil fight to protect their territories from the ravages of extractive industries, confronting deforestation by illegal loggers, corrupt politicians and profit-hungry global corporations. 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 3. $8 plus taxes and fees.
Second of Silents with Kaylee Mansfield: “Sherlock Jr.” (1924) – Tallgrass presents its newest film series, hosted by local silent film enthusiast Kaylee Mansfield. The series will be featured on the second Sunday of every month and celebrate the actors, actresses, directors and producers of the silent era. First up is “Sherlock Jr.,” a comedy starring Buster Keaton about a film projectionist who longs to be a detective, and puts his meager skills to work when he is framed by a rival for stealing his girlfriend’s father’s pocketwatch. (Got all that?) 2 p.m. Aug. 10. $8 plus taxes and fees.
Reverie Impact Cinema: “Lilo & Stitch” (2005) – This film series is presented by Reverie Roasters and the films are selected intentionally to connect audiences to novel causes, “to promote ideas worth sharing, to illustrate opportunities to help, and to inform us about ourselves.” ”Lilo & Stitch” is a family-friendly animation about a young and parentless girl who adopts what she thinks is a dog from the local pound, unaware that it’s actually a dangerous scientific experiment that’s taken refuge on Earth and is now hiding from its creator. 7 p.m. Aug. 14. $12 plus taxes and fees.
Harmons and Hollywood presents: “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” (1937) – The animated classic follows a beautiful girl, Snow White, who takes refuge in the forest in the house of seven dwarfs to hide from her stepmother, the wicked queen. The queen is jealous because she wants to be known as “the fairest in the land,” and Snow White’s beauty surpasses her own. 4 p.m. Aug. 24. $8 plus taxes and fees.
Reach Rod Pocowatchit at rodrick@rawdzilla.com.