Tallgrass Film Festival Announces Partnership with Dark Star Pictures for “Stubbornly Independent” Award Winner
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Wichita, Kan. (September 25, 2025) —Tallgrass Film Festival is partnering with Dark Star Pictures to award the winner of The Stubbornly Independent category a distribution mentorship. Award winners will receive one on one consultation regarding navigating the intricacies of distribution in today’s marketplace. In addition to general guidance about distribution, the filmmaker will also have the chance to receive feedback on their current film. The Stubbornly Independent category is for films meeting the following criteria: Submissions must be a US Domestic narrative feature film with a budget of up to $750,000,without traditional domestic (inside the USA) distribution at the time of the festival.
“Dark Star is extremely honored to be a part of the 2025 Tallgrass Film Festival and their continued effort to harvest filmmaking talent in the independent space. The plan for this mentorship opportunity is to offer filmmakers early insights into the world of distribution, something that can be quite daunting at times. Sharing market knowledge, trends, rollout strategies, revenue models and more, will hopefully help to give a leg up to the winner in the hyper-competitive space of independent film releasing.”
Michael Repsch, President – Dark Star Pictures
“Tallgrass is excited to work with Dark Star Pictures to provide this opportunity to the winner of the Stubbornly Independent Category. We believe that the mentorship opportunity will be a great benefit to the filmmaker with their journey with their film, especially when dealing with questions of distribution.”
Andre Seward, Programming Director – Tallgrass Film Festival
Media Contact: ANDRE SEWARD
Email: andre@tallgrassfilm.org
Phone: 316-202-8207
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ABOUT TALLGRASS FILM FESTIVAL:
Stubbornly Independent since 2003, the Tallgrass Film Festival is the largest in Kansas. A program of the 501(c)3 Tallgrass Film Association, the Festival showcases more than 120 films from around the world, hosts dozens of visiting filmmakers, and includes galas, parties, and educational workshops and panels. In addition to bringing the best of independent cinema to heartland audiences, the Festival is designed to highlight the city’s cultural attractions, including world-class museums, landmarks, and unique local businesses, to visitors and residents alike. Throughout the year, TFA presents independent cinema at the year-round film center in the Lux.
ABOUT DARK STAR PICTURES:
Dark Star Pictures is a new-age North American distribution company, focused on bringing unique and targeted content to audiences across the country. We are committed to releasing auteur-driven, original cinema in the theatrical, digital and home video space. Our goal is to create original marketing campaigns directly catered to audiences who will embrace our brand of thought-provoking cinema.