KU William Allen White Journalism School students, under direction of instructor Rebekka Schlichting, honed their documentary filmmaking skills to capture stories happening in Lawrence during this school year. The Free State Festival is proud to showcase their work on the virtual screen as a snapshot of time and place. These short films will be embedded on this page June 21-27 and can be enjoyed by mobile device when you get to the drive in early, on your computer during a well-earned lunch break or experienced on your home cinema via YouTube.

• Returning Home: The Repatriation of the Kaw Prayer Boulder
  
  Director: Matt Michie (14 minutes)
  A century ago, the city of Lawrence claimed an ancient prayer boulder from the Kaw Tribal lands. Now it is returning home.

• Still Spinning: Lawrence Music Survives a Pandemic
  
  Directors: Nicole Dolan and Cami Koons (15 minutes)
  The Lawrence music community shares their experiences of loss, triumph and development throughout the pandemic.

• Bonding with Brooms
  Director: Jack Johnson (11 minutes)
  Quidditch players at KU find solace within their team during COVID.