Ring in autumn with alternative film events in Wichita

Summer’s behind us — now it’s time to settle in. As the days get shorter and the nights cooler, there’s no better time to dive into the glow of the big screen. September brings a lineup of alternative film events that are packed with heart, heat and a whole lot of cinematic magic.

So grab your popcorn, mark your calendars, and get ready — here’s what’s playing (titles and showtimes subject to change):

ORPHEUM THEATRE ANNIVERSARY FILM SERIES

Mary Jane Teall Theatre, 225 W. Douglas, https://wichitaorpheum.com/

Anniversary Film Series: “The Goonies” (1985) – A group of young misfits discovers an ancient map and sets out on an adventure to find a legendary pirate’s long-lost treasure. This boasts an impressive cast of young faces who would go on to big things in Hollywood: Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Corey Feldman, Martha Plimpton and Oscar winner Ke Huy Quan (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”). Showing at 7 p.m., Sept. 18. Tickets are $12.26 (plus taxes and fees), $11.04 (plus taxes and fees) for students, seniors and military.

EMILY BONAVIA TALLGRASS FILM CENTER

120 E. First St. (Unit 113), https://tallgrassfilm.org/tallgrass-film-center/

Pridegrass Year Round: “Tangerine” (2015) – This Sundance Film Festival darling follows a trans hooker who tears through Tinseltown on Christmas Eve searching for the pimp who broke her heart. 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5. A 2025 Wichita Pride button gives you free admission, made possible by Wichita Pride Inc. and Tallgrass supporter Sarah Snell. Regular tickets are $12 plus taxes and fees.

Caddyshack Classic: A Mini Golf Fundraiser & Film Screening – Tallgrass Film Association is teeing up an event featuring six holes of mini golf, golf-inspired food and drinks, and a big-screen showing of the legendary comedy “Caddyshack” (1980), about a down-on-his-luck teen who works as a caddy at a snob-infested country club to raise money for college. The event takes place on Sunday, Sept. 7, with mini-golfing from 2 to 3:30 p.m. and the film screening at 4 p.m. $25 plus taxes and fees (as this is a fundraiser, membership passes will not be honored for this event).

Reverie Impact Cinema: “Totem” (2022) – This film series is presented by Reverie Roasters and 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.” “Totem” follows Ama, the daughter of Senegalese asylum seekers, who feels completely Dutch. When her mother and brother are arrested, she sets off in search of her father through Rotterdam in the middle of winter, hoping to avoid deportation. During this frightening and exciting journey, she discovers her roots, thanks in part to her extraordinary totem animal: A gigantic porcupine. 7 p.m. Sept. 11. $12 plus taxes and fees.

Knitflix & Chill: “Bridesmaids” (2011) – Competition between a maid of honor and a bridesmaid threatens to upend the life of an out-of-work pastry chef. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 12. $15 plus taxes and fees. Harvester Arts will have yarn, crocheting supplies, and wine available in their space starting at 2 p.m.

“Eddington” (2025) – In May of 2020, a standoff between a small-town sheriff and mayor sparks a powder keg as neighbor is pitted against neighbor in Eddington, New Mexico. From director Ari Aster (“Hereditary,” “Midsommar”). Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal and Emma Stone. 7 p.m. Sept. 13. $12 plus taxes and fees.

Second of Silents with Kaylee Mansfield: “Mantrap” (1926) – Hosted by local silent film enthusiast Kaylee Mansfield, this series will be featured on the second Sunday of every month and celebrate the actors, actresses, directors and producers of the silent era. “Mantrap” follows a sexy, young manicurist living with her older backwoodsman husband in a small Canadian town who finds herself attracted to a young, rich and famous divorce lawyer on vacation. 2 p.m. Sept. 14. $8 plus taxes and fees.

REGAL CINEMAS

Regal Warren East, 11611 E 13th St., https://www.regmovies.com/promotions/month-of-masterpieces

Month of Masterpieces – For the entire month of September, Regal Cinemas is showing a classic film each day. Check the website for showtimes.

Here are the movies:

• Sept. 5 – “Interstellar” (2014)
• Sept. 6 – “The Godfather” (1972)
• Sept. 7 – “Citizen Kane” (1941)
• Sept. 8 – “The Departed” (2006)
• Sept. 9 – “Goodfellas” (1990)
• Sept. 10 – “Taxi Driver” (1976)
• Sept. 11 – “The Thing” (1982)
• Sept. 12 – “The Shawshank Redemption” (1994)
• Sept. 13 – “Inception” (2010)
• Sept. 14 – “Forrest Gump” (1994)
• Sept. 15 – “Sunset Boulevard” (1950)
• Sept. 16 – “Seven” (1995)
• Sept. 17 – “Pan’s Labyrinth” (2006)
• Sept. 18 – “Do the Right Thing” (1989)
• Sept. 19 – “Psycho” (1960)
• Sept. 20 – “Saving Private Ryan” (1998)
• Sept. 21 – “A Clockwork Orange” (1971)
• Sept. 22 – “Before Sunset” (2004)
• Sept. 23 – “Cinema Paradiso” (1988)
• Sept. 24 – “Casablanca” (1942)
• Sept. 25 – “Vertigo” (1958)
• Sept. 26 – “2001: A Space Odyssey” (1968)
• Sept. 27 – “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” (1977)
• Sept. 28 – “Lawrence of Arabia” (1962)
• Sept. 29 – “Chinatown” (1974)
• Sept. 30 – “There Will Be Blood” (2007)

Tickets are $8.99 (plus taxes and fees), and there are several concession specials tied to the series. Check the website for details.

Reach Rod Pocowatchit at rodrick@rawdzilla.com.