The Board of Directors for the Tallgrass Film Association (TFA) has begun a search for a new Executive Director for the organization (full job description.) Though the position has been vacant since July, the festival has just come off of a thriving fifteenth festival that showcased 182 films, hosted more 123 filmmakers and exceeded the previous year’s attendance.

“2017 was a challenging year for TFA,” said Board President Lynda Carrier-Metz. “We were met with some unforeseen obstacles, but the most brilliant thing that arose from it was that due to the passion of the community, the sponsors, the board and the staff, we were able to execute our most successful festival to date – which included a plethora of national press for Tallgrass and the city of Wichita – and allowed us to arise more Stubbornly Independent than ever.”

The board also announced that festival Co-Founder, former Executive Director and current Creative Director Lela Meadow-Conner will step down at the end of October. “Lela has played an integral role in the growth of TFA and the festival, with her focus on strengthening its relationships with the local arts and cultural scene, the independent filmmaking industry, and securing Tallgrass’ spot on the film festival circuit,” said TFA Board Vice President and incoming President April Johnson. “We are grateful for the foundation she has laid over the last decade and a half, and even more so that TFA is poised for continued growth.”

“TFA is in good hands. Over the years, we’ve cultivated dedicated supporters, attendees and passionate staff members who will carry on founder Tim Gruver’s vision of experiencing movies together. They, along with TFA’s new leader, will grow the organization as the industry moves into a new era of film exhibition, and will continue to embrace Wichita’s abundant enthusiasm for its community. I am thankful to everyone whom I’ve met along the way for inspiring me to turn what I really love to do into a career and will continue to be a life-long advocate for Tallgrass.”

Tallgrass Film Association is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is dedicated to creating shared experiences around the international medium of film. Stubbornly Independent since 2003, TFA brings the best of independent cinema to heartland audiences, through the largest annual film festival in Kansas, year-round special screenings in partnership with local arts and cultural organizations, a state-wide traveling Road Show, Down to the Wire: 24 Hour Film Race and Filmmaker Workshops. The 2018 Tallgrass Film Festival runs October 17-21, 2018.

Media Inquiries May Be Directed to: info@tallgrassfilmfest.com or (316) 303-9292.