Film Festival Panels and Education
Coffee Mixer with Tallgrass Programmers & Filmmakers
Friday October 16 and Saturday October 17, 9:30AM-10:30AM
Start your day with some caffeine and join us for an informal mix-and-mingle session with the terrific team behind our Stubbornly Independent programming and you, the filmmakers of Tallgrass 2026! Learn more about what to expect at Tallgrass 2026, the excellent films screening over the weekend, and have a chance to forge new connections here in Wichita.
Please note this event is for the following pass types: Filmmaker, Jury, Industry, and Media.
Behind the Scenes with Film Festival Alliance
Friday October 16, 10:45AM-11:45AM
Panelist: Gray Rodriguez
Curious about the film festival landscape? Come to this session to learn more about the film festival industry with Film Festival Alliance. Whether this is your first time attending a festival or you’re a veteran attendee, this session will provide insights into the inner workings of the festival landscape. Have a question you’d like to submit in advance? Email it to programming@tallgrassfilm.org with the subject line ‘Behind the Scenes with FFA.’
Gray Rodriguez is the Director of Communications for Film Festival Alliance, an organization dedicated to connecting, supporting and advocating for film festivals worldwide. With more than a decade of industry experience, Gray has immersed herself in the film festival world since 2010, starting as a volunteer and working her way through various positions at events including Tallgrass, Bentonville, and the Sundance Film Festivals. Her journey has given her hands-on experience with both online and in-person festivals, providing insights into everything from marketing to operations to programming. Passionate about fostering connections within the indie film community, Gray enjoys exploring innovative ways to showcase cinema. Whether you’re a filmmaker navigating the festival circuit or simply curious about the industry, she’s always eager to share her knowledge and exchange ideas about the ever-evolving landscape of independent film.
MO Movies: Regional Filmmaking with the Missouri Film Office
Saturday October 17, 10:45AM-12:00PM
Moderator: Jordan Collins
Panelists: Jeffrey Field, Michael Doshier, Ron McCants
Learn more about Midwestern filmmaking ecosystems with the Missouri Film Office. This panel will present 3 short films from the Missouri Stories Production Lab, an educational and marketing program that brings to life short films set in the world of winning scripts from the Missouri Stories Scriptwriting Fellowship, and will be followed by a panel discussion with the filmmakers and the Missouri Film Office. Curious about regional film production and development? Hear from these professionals about nurturing filmmaking in the Midwest.
Jordan Collins: Jordan Collins has been with the Missouri Film Office since February 2025 as the Resource Specialist managing the Missouri Motion Media Tax Credit and Entertainment Industry Jobs Tax Credit programs. Before coming to the Film Office Jordan spent six years working in unscripted television as a Coordinator and Associate Producer.
Jeffrey Field: Jeffrey Field co-wrote and co-produced the short films “Icebox” and “Boymom,” with support from the Missouri Production Lab. He also co-wrote the short “Sound Off.” He is a 3-time Missouri Stories fellow, a Screencraft fellow, a Stowe Story Labs fellow, a six-time semifinalist in the Academy’s Nicholl Fellowships and a four-time prize winner at the PAGE International Screenwriting Awards.
Ron McCants: Ron McCants writes dramas that explore the human experience. His stories are often fueled by dark secrets and deep shames at the intersection of crime and family.
Michael Doshier: Michael Doshier is a filmmaker exploring identity and belonging with humor and heart. His debut feature THROUPLE was released in 2025, and its screenplay was inducted into The Academy’s Core Collection. His feature script RONITA RAMBO won the Missouri Film Office’s ‘MO Stories Competition,’ was a Nicholl semi-finalist, and its short film won Audience Awards in Boston, San Diego, and Little Rock.