ABOUT
FREE STATE FESTIVAL 2024
JUNE 25 – 30
The Free State Festival celebrates the free spirit of the state of Kansas with films that challenge, inspire, and entertain. This signature annual event brings independent films, live music, comedy and art to venues across the vibrant college town of Lawrence. The festival is produced by the Lawrence Arts Center and made possible through programming support from community partners, grants and individual sponsorships.
SUPPORTERS:
The National Endowment for the Arts, City of Lawrence, Explore Lawrence, Kansas Public Radio, Marriott SpringHill Suites, KU Film & Media Studies, Lawrence Modern, the Spencer Museum of Art, Science on Screen.
PARTNERS:
Liberty Hall, Lawrence Talks, Lawrence Music Alliance, Lawrence Pride, Trans Lawrence Coalition, BLACK Lawrence, Squishington’s Candies, Audio-Reader Network, Morning Light Kombucha, the Cider Gallery, Haskell Indian Nations University, Downtown Lawrence Inc.
Click here to find out how you can support the fest!
HOW WE GOT HERE…
The festival began as a showcase of short films in 2011 and officially became the Free State Film Festival in 2012 with a weekend of feature films, visiting artists and shorts. We received a large grant from the National Endowment for the Arts in 2014-2015 to find our place in the landscape of other art forms such as music. comedy and visual art, and have since settled into a sweet spot of a sustainable weeklong event with film at its core. Thanks to the City of Lawrence’s Transient Guest Tax program, sponsorships, and the contributions of our community partners, we showcase approximately 3o films in venues throughout the city accompanied by live comedy and music performances to thousands of attendees – visitors and townies alike!
For further information on the festival including partnerships, sponsorships, or volunteer opportunities, please contact Free State Festival Director Marlo Angell: marlo@lawrenceartscenter.org.
Advisory Board
Laura Kirk / Misti Boland / Chris Blunk / Jon Niccum / Tom Carmody / Christie Dobson / David Hollond / Jeremy Osbern / Rebekka Schlichting / Robert Hubbard
2024 Festival Intern
Sofia Nash
