Kansas City Librarian Speaks on the Power of Books, Empathy, and the Importance of Access
By Sofia Lamento, Free State Festival Contributor In celebration of The Librarians premier, retired librarian … [more]
A Mother’s Memory, a Daughter’s Tribute: The Story Behind The Hope Chest Has a Secret Drawer
By Sofia Lamento, Free State Festival Contributor Filmmaker Laura Frenzer and producer Siobhan O’Neill joined … [more]
Returning the Muse: Kirsten Paludan Honors Janis Ian at Free State Fest
By Sofia Lamento, Free State Festival Contributor Kirsten Paludan wears many hats. She is a … [more]
The Pitch: Comedian Todd Barry talks animation, adventures, and crowd-work ahead of Friday’s Free State Festival
By Nick Spacek Comedian Todd Barry’s dry wit has garnered him quite a following over … [more]
The Pitch: Legendary performer Swamp Dogg talks ‘Blackgrass’ music ahead of Thursday’s Free State Festival
By Nick Spacek While you might not be familiar with legendary musician Swamp Dogg, you … [more]
The Lawrence Times: Panel of Lawrence librarians discuss challenges to intellectual freedom at Free State Festival screening
Photo by Molly Adams Story by Wulfe Wulfemeyer Although Lawrence has not weathered the book-banning … [more]
“I’m My Own Lane”: A Conversation with Kadesh Flow
By Sofia Lamento, Free State Festival Contributor Rapper, trombonist, and anime enthusiast Ryan Davis, better … [more]
Director Markus Potter Brings Personal Truth to the Screen at Free State Festival
By Sofia Lamento, Free State Festival Contributor What happens when a story is so personal, … [more]
Kansas Public Radio 105 Live: Free State Festival and Kaw River Roots Festival
The summer music festivals continue! This week 105 Live highlights the Kaw River Roots and … [more]
KPR Presents: Free State Fest
KPR presents host Kaye McIntyre gives listeners a sneak peek at the 2025 Free State … [more]
The Lawrence Times: Free State Festival 2025 includes music documentaries, comedy, culinary delights and more
Free State Festival will bring back favorite Lawrence artists and introduce new faces with a … [more]
LJWorld: 2 Signature Lawrence Events Team up for Split Lip Rayfield 30th Anniversary
Two arts and culture events, the Free State Festival and the Kaw River Roots Festival, … [more]
Returning the Muse: Kirsten Paludan Honors Janis Ian at Free State Fest
By Sofia Lamento, Free State Festival Contributor Kirsten Paludan wears many hats. She is … [more]
A Conversation with Trauma: The New Epidemic Co-Director Backer Hamada
By Sofia Lamento, Free State Festival Contributor At Tacos and Trailers night, Free State Festival … [more]
2025 Free State Festival Artwork by Charley Forsyth
The 2025 Free State Festival poster features original artwork by artist Charley Forsyth and graphic … [more]
Thank You for An Energizing Free State Festival 2024!
The Free State Festival celebrated the City of Lawrence, Kansas through film screenings with community … [more]
The Lawrence Times: Cat Video Fest to showcase best cat moments
A Lawrence event aims to celebrate cats, and help meet their needs, by highlighting some … [more]
Comedian and actress Jana Schmieding kicks of the Free State Festival this Tuesday
Comedian, writer, and actor Jana Schmieding is rapidly becoming a force with which to be … [more]
Free State Festival returns this week with candy pairings, standup comedy, a squirrel hunting movie and more
By Chris Conde If you ask Marlo Angell, the director of Lawrence’s Free State Festival, … [more]
It’s About Reshaping: David Kirkman on Underneath: The Children of the Sun
By Shawn Edwards What if Christopher Nolan and Spike Lee teamed-up to collaborate on a … [more]
Lawrence Music Census results highlight local music ecosystem needs and opportunities
The Lawrence Music Census has shown that a rising cost of living is a key … [more]
KPR Presents: Free State Festival
It’s a sneak peek at the 2024 Free State Festival, a week of independent films, … [more]
Kevin Willmott’s latest film documents life of civil rights figure Alvin Brooks
The film, “The Heroic True-Life Adventures of Alvin Brooks,” was written, produced and directed by … [more]
The Pitch: Kevin Willmott’s latest documentary chronicles life of civil rights leader Alvin Brooks
Academy Award-winning screenwriter Kevin Willmott’s latest documentary film captures the life of civil rights leader … [more]
FSF24 Artwork Reveal: Poster Art by Blanca Herrada
This year’s festival poster was designed by Lawrence artist Blanca Herrada! Tickets and passes for … [more]
Lawrence Times: Free State Festival 2024 lineup to feature Jana Schmieding, beat scientist and more
Marlo Angell, festival director and LAC curator of film and media, described the festival in … [more]
Free State Festival 2024 Lineup Announced
Free State Festival 2024 Lineup The Lawrence Arts Center is proud to announce the selected … [more]
Free State Festival Highlighted in The Pitch’s Best of Kansas City 2023
The 2023 Free State Festival received an editor’s highlight in The Pitch’s Best of Kansas … [more]
KSHB-41: Filmmaker creates ‘Kansas City Dreamin,’ documents history of city’s musicians
The new documentary, by filmmaker Diallo Javonne French, marks Kansas City’s African American music culture … [more]
Little Satchmo Director John Alexander Featured in The Pitch
Director John Alexander’s Little Satchmo illuminates an unknown side of one of America’s greatest entertainers … [more]