WICHITA — Wichita and the Tallgrass Film Festival are getting some great press courtesy of MovieMaker magazine.
The magazine’s latest annual ranking of best places for independent filmmakers to shoot puts Wichita at No. 10.
“It’s kind of verifying something that we already knew,” says Jessy Clonts, Tallgrass’ marketing director. “What this proves is that other people feel that way, too, and hopefully it gets the attention of people who want to make films in this area.”
MovieMaker makes its picks based on “those places that go the extra mile in welcoming lower-budget productions just as much as they do the ‘big guns.’ ”
The magazine quotes Tallgrass Film Association executive director Lela Meadow-Conner on why Wichita works.
“Shooting is easy here. There’s very little red tape, permits aren’t required for filming on public property and there are plenty of local people who are experienced in all aspects of production and readily available for shoots.”
Kansas Film Commission director Peter Jasso agreed that “Wichita is a home away from home for filmmakers looking to turn their dreams into realities.”
It’s why, the magazine says, “Slowly but surely, Wichita is becoming an indie moviemaker’s Eden.”