Film festival is a treasure

Wichita gets cooler every October about this time, in more than the meteorological sense. This is when the Tallgrass Film Festival entertains and enlightens audiences with an eclectic array of screenings and related events, bringing together movie lovers and moviemakers while making Wichita proud.

The 2014 festival begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Orpheum Theatre with “Life Itself,” the acclaimed documentary about the late critic Roger Ebert, and promises 206 films (49 features, 157 shorts) over the five days and all kinds of special events. About 40 filmmakers will be participating, in Q&A sessions after their screenings and otherwise. And 32 of the movies have Kansas connections, casting the festival as an increasingly important promoter of the state’s cultural life and identity.

Now in its 12th year, Tallgrass also has become an important beacon for Wichita throughout the film community and world. And for film lovers it’s a little piece of heaven right here at home, drawing 11,000 attendees last year.

Praise is due the staff, donors and volunteers who continue to make the festival an autumn tradition. Of course, Tallgrass also is a valued year-round contributor to Wichita’s quality of life, thanks to its regular showings and events and its partnerships with other community arts organizations.

For a full schedule, consult tallgrassfilmfest.com.

Then join what Norma Desmond of “Sunset Boulevard” called “those wonderful people out there in the dark,” in the process supporting the community treasure that is the Tallgrass Film Festival.

For the editorial board, Rhonda Holman

This story was originally published October 14, 2014 at 7:07 PM with the headline "Film festival is a treasure."