Oscar-nominated film/filmmaker coming to Wichita in February
“Incident in New Baghdad” filmmaker James Spione to speak and teach at Tallgrass events on Feb. 10 and 11 in Wichita
WICHITA, KAN — Documentary film director James Spione will be in Wichita Feb. 10 and 11 to present his Oscar-nominated documentary film INCIDENT IN NEW BAGHDAD and teach a Tallgrass Filmmakers Lab. The documentary received the Academy Award nomination Jan. 24 for Best Documentary Short Subject film, and features Wichita resident Ethan McCord, a former U.S. Army Specialist and subject of a 2007 WikiLeaks controversy, who witnessed one of the most notorious incidents of the Iraq War — the slayings of two Reuters journalists and a number of other unnamed civilians by U.S. attack helicopters in Iraq.
The film also won Best Documentary Short at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival, Grand Prize Documentary Short at the 2011 Rhode Island International Film Festival and the Audience Award at the 2011 Tallgrass Film Festival. Also screened at the 2011 Tallgrass Film Festival, the short THE BARBER OF BIRMINGHAM was nominated for an Oscar in the same category as INCIDENT IN NEW BAGHDAD.
The Tallgrass Film Association has partnered with Wichita State’s Ulrich Museum of Art to present a special screening of INCIDENT IN NEW BAGHDAD, at 6 p.m., Friday, Feb. 10 at the Murdock Theater, 536 N. Broadway. Following the film, Spione and McCord will participate in a conversation and audience Q&A with moderator and Wichita Eagle reporter Ron Sylvester. A reception with hosted bar and hors d’oeuvres follows from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Tickets for the screening are $10 for general admission; $8 for students, seniors, military, WSU faculty and staff; and free for Tallgrass Film Association and Ulrich Museum members. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. KMUW is media sponsor for the event, which is also sponsored by the Peace and Social Justice Center of South Central Kansas, Murdock Theater, WSU College Democrats and the WSU Young Democratic Socialists. Tickets are available online or at the door.
Spione will lead a Tallgrass Filmmakers Lab: Making and Marketing Your Independent Film In A Digital World on Saturday, Feb. 11 from 1:30 to 4 p.m., at the Wichita Art Museum. Advanced tickets are $20 general admission or $15 for students, teachers, seniors and TFA Members. Tickets at the door are $25.
For press inquires, contact Jessy Clonts at 510-333-6956 or jessy@tallgrassfilmfest.com.
