With 24 Teams competing in the Take 36 race this weekend, people gathered at the Orpheum Wichita on Sunday for the showcase. Judges Gina Bryant, Roy Nugen, and Melinda Defrain announced the winners.
The top prize, winning $1,000 Cash, All-access TALLPasses to the 22nd Annual Tallgrass Film Festival, and Official Selection is our Grand Prize winner, Team 2 K9: The Car Chaser, directed by Jacob Workentine.
“This edition of Take36 was truly remarkable, Program Director Andre Seward said. “It was a wonderful showcase of the incredible talent in Wichita. The simple prompts were interpreted in many ways, from funny to emotional to scary. It was difficult to believe these films were completed in only 36 hours; similar quality short films generally take months to develop and create. I look forward to seeing more work from these filmmakers in the future and sharing the award-winning films with the audiences at Tallgrass Film Festival 2024.”
Melinda DeFrain is an Associate Teaching Professor and ESL & Writing Skills Coordinator for the Wichita State University Department of English. Her essays and stories have been published in national publications.
Gina Bryant is a director, producer, production designer, and costume designer from Wichita, KS, currently with Illumination Cinema. Gina has been a featured and background actor for several small independent films, including several short films she produced under America’s Front Porch Film Co. She has also been the production designer and costume designer for several more short films and two features produced locally. Though she still loves acting, she prefers directing these days. Her films have been featured in festivals nationwide, winning numerous awards. Her first feature-length film, ARRIVE ALIVE, will have its world premiere at the 22nd annual Tallgrass Film Festival!
Roy Nugen is an award-winning screenwriter, producer, property master, and actor. He has written 15 short films that have played across the country. His first feature film, Arrive Alive, is debuting at the 22nd Annual Tallgrass Film Festival.
Team 22, On This Day, directed by Todd Ramsey, was the second-place winner, and it received all-access FilmPasses to the 22nd Annual Tallgrass Film Festival.
The Student Filmmaker Award, which includes a $250 prize and All-access Tallpasses to the 22nd Annual Tallgrass Film Festival, went to Emery Downs, director of Oh, Baby, Team 18.
The audience winner which includes a $500 prize, All-access TALLPasses to the 22nd Annual Tallgrass Film Festival and will be an Official Selection at the festival, was Team 6 2 ½ Siblings, directed by Brayden Frazier.
Programmer Awards go to any of the 24 films, not just the top ten, and are selected from pre-screeners and and judges:
- For best “Non-CREED” Song and Best Jumpscare Team 22 On This Day, directed by Todd Ramsey
- For editing: Team 13 Jarring Day edited by Brett Eitzen & Jeff Harden
- Best Actor: August Road from Team 11 Search For More
- Best Actress: Alexis Cruz from Team 19 Lisa and the Real Ghost
- Best Ensemble Cast: Team 2, K-9 The Car Chaser, directed by Jacob Workentine
- Best Cinematography: Alex Schneider and best editing by Brayden Frazier & Alex Schneider Team 06 2.5 SIBLING
- Best Score/Soundtrack: Team 03, The Perfect Routine, directed by Eric Freel.
- Best Screenplay: Nathan Strack, Team 12 Picklers
- Best Visual Effects: Team 22 On This Day, directed by Todd Ramsey
- Best Costume Design: Team 10 Mute, directed by Shane Konicki
- Best Make-up Design: Team 12 Picklers, directed by Rylee Dulaney
- Best Production Design and best use of required elements: Team 11 Search, directed by Aaron Rogers
- Best Emerging Filmmaker Team: Team 7 KYS (Kiss Your Screen), directed by Cas White
The festival will showcase the audience and grand prize winner at opening and closing nights. It will be held throughout downtown Wichita from October 24 to 27.
