FRIDAY MARCH 31, 2023, 7PM - SCREENINGS
Puzzle Pieces by Kylee Faulk - University of Missouri-KC - PG - 4:39 min.
Filmed in Oklahoma by Kaden Wittig - Tulsa Technology - G - 9:16 min.
The King of Berry by Nathan Gusman - Wayne State College - PG-13 - 13:47 min.
Reminiscence by Mason Vietti - Wichita State University - PG-13 - 10:34 min.
Antics by Michael Campbell - University of Missouri-KC - PG-13 - 3:52 min.
It’s the Journey by Joseph Merkel - Wayne State College - R - 14:46 min.
Filmmaker Q & A
Intermission - 15:00 min.
Sacrament by Josh Eliot - Oklahoma City University - PG - 22:18 min.
Flight of Trouser Snake by Park Zebley - University of Missouri-KC - G - 2:30 min.
Exodus by Nathan Blizzard - Wayne State College - R - 28:02 min.
Filmmaker Q & A 

SATURDAY APRIL 1, 2023, BEGINNING AT 10AM - WORKSHOPS
all workshops are free and open to the public
10:00 am - Costuming for Film presented by Gina Bryant-Nugen
11:00 am - Current Camera Technology presented by Jason Cantu
12:00 pm - Lunch Break
1:00 pm - Open Panel Discussion with 2023 Festival Jurors: Darryl Cox, Lazara Gonzales, and Melanie Addington
2:30 pm - Acting for Film presented by Darryl Cox
4:00pm-5:00pm - Tour of Etzanoa Conservancy 

SATURDAY APRIL 1, 2023, 7PM - SCREENINGS
Strawberry Toast by Edje Perezantolo - Oklahoma City Community College - PG - 4:37 min.
I Seem to be Stuck by Abi Gaylord - University of Missouri-KC - PG - 6:11 min.
Girl by Emma Franco - Wayne State College - PG - 13:38 min.
The Scuffle by Caz Cherepak - University of Missouri-KC - PG-13 - 2:19 min.
Step One by Nathan Kampe - Wichita State University - PG-13 - 8:49 min.
Gills by Griffin Presnell - Wayne State College - PG-13 - 22:00 min. Filmmaker Q & A
Intermission - 15:00
April Fools Gag Reel
Award Presentation

All films and workshops will be at the Burford Theatre, 118 S. Summit, Arkansas City, KS All times and events are subject to change without notice.

Announcing Juror for 2023 Festival!

LAZARA GONZALEZ is a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment industry. With a degree from the Art Institute of Atlanta, she wasted no time in making a name for herself. As a student, Lazara created and produced KT2 News, a groundbreaking news show for kids. She also wrote a script for a PSA called "Death of the Arts," which not only won a contest but was used as the premise for the ending of the hit show Seinfeld.
After graduation, Lazara went on to produce and direct "DEATH OF THE ARTS" in Atlanta, solidifying her position as a talented and innovative producer. She then began working as a Line Producer for major studios like CBS Radcliff, Paramount, Sony, Gower Studios, and Culver City Studio. Her contributions to hit shows like The Big Bang Theory, Grimm, Modern Family, and Enders Game have helped to shape the landscape of modern television.
In addition to her impressive work in television, Lazara has also made a name for herself in film. She has worked on movies like The Blind Side and Get Low, helping to bring talented actors and crew members into the industry.
But Lazara's accomplishments don't end there. She is a member of numerous organizations, including Women In Film/Latina's In Film, Script Writer Guild, LP Guild, George Lucas Producers Circle, and the Academy. Lazara's passion for mentoring and encouraging others is evident in the work she has done to help actors and crew members break into the industry. 
Today, Lazara is in pre-production for three unique films. Two of these films, SEPARATE BUT EQUAL - THE ADA LOIS SIPUEL FISHER STORY and Hood Chameleon, are based on true-life events, while the third, CPS, is a groundbreaking storyline that has never been brought to the screen.
As Julian Fellowes once said, in Los Angeles, being a producer may not mean much more than being a member of the human race. But for Lazara Gonzalez, being a producer means making a difference, breaking down barriers, and helping others achieve their dreams.

Announcing Current Camera Technology Workshop Presenter!

JASON CANTU is a working Cinematographer in the Midwest. Jason has 30 years of production experience and has worked almost every job in production. Jason is most noticed for his work in the music video genre, working for the likes of Tech N9ne, Kendrick Lamar, 2 Chainz, T-Pain, T.I., and many more. In the music video genre, Jason's videos has eclipsed over 2 billion views, cumulatively, on YouTube. Jason is also recognized for his work in agency commercial cinematography, Jason's worked for brands such as: Wendy's, Quicktrip, EASports Madden, Hard Rock, Holiday Inn, Nestle, and many many more. Jason has also worked on television dramas and theatrical releases. These shows and films have grossed millions of dollars and are available to view nationwide. In addition to the many music videos, television shows, independent films, and commercials, Jason has also had the honor of filming installations for many museums, including the Chickamauga Civil War Museum, Mt. Vernon, and the National Civil War Museum in Richmond Virginia; with local production partner Shane Seley and Wide Awake Films. Jason continues his work to this day and doesn't plan on quitting anytime soon!

Announcing Juror for 2023 Festival!

MELANIE ADDINGTON has worked in the film festival world since 2006, first as a volunteer, and then eventually becoming the Oxford Film Festival Executive Director in August 2015. She used to be a reporter for the Oxford Eagle (a community newspaper) and then Pizza Magazine Quarterly (Global trade magazine). She still loves pizza. She is from Southern California originally but lived in the South for 20 years. She joined Tallgrass Film Festival in May 2021 as Executive Director. She has family in Wichita and considers it a great new home. She also writes, directs, and produces films. She is married and has one son.

Announcing Juror for 2023 Festival!
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DARRYL COX is a professional SAG/AFTRA actor whose career spans the spectrum of major film and television productions.  Among his credits are over 90 principal roles in film (including ARLINGTON ROAD, ROBOCOP, BOTTLE ROCKET, MINARI, and A PERFECT WORLD) and TV (including FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, PRISON BREAK, L.A. LAW, RESERVATION DOGS, and NYPD BLUE). He taught On-Camera Acting at Adam Roarke’s Film Actor’s Lab in Dallas and the American Film Institute in Los Angeles, later at Oklahoma City University and the University of Central Oklahoma, and for 25 years at the University of Oklahoma.  A former officer in the U.S. Navy, he served onboard the destroyer U.S.S. Forrest Sherman, including a deployment to the Persian Gulf in 1980.  In 1977 he graduated with a B.A. from the University of Oklahoma, and currently resides in Norman, Oklahoma.

Announcing ​Costuming for Film Workshop Presenter!
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​GINA BRYANT-NUGEN is a director, producer, production and costume designer from Wichita, KS. She has always loved fashion and learned to sew at age 7. You could often find her in the costume shop in high school and she worked in the costume shop at Southwestern College where she designed costumes, props, hair and makeup for various shows. She designed and built props for 10.10 Post 9.11, an original play by Adam Sharp, which was featured at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre festival. She went on to earn a BFA in Studio Art at Wichita State University with her senior project consisting of wearable art influenced by historical fashion. Eventually she made the transition to film. 
 
Currently Gina is a co-producer and director at Danger Caution Films, a production company she founded with her partner Roy Nugen. She has been production and costume designer for dozens of short films which have been featured in festivals across the country, winning numerous awards.

As of September 1, BisonBison Film Festival is accepting submissions to the 2023 festival! Submissions may be made through FilmFreeway. 
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The Bison Bison Film Festival is open to filmmakers enrolled in accredited colleges, universities and trade schools in mid-America (Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Arkansas, and Texas).
All works must be 40 minutes or less in length, including titles and credits. Any film exceeding this limit will not be considered. No works in progress. Incomplete entries are ineligible.
The work must have been created within the past two years, and the filmmaker must have been an enrolled student at the time. While you are allowed to submit multiple films, only one film submission per filmmaker will be accepted to be shown at the festival.

The earlybird submission deadline is Saturday, December 10, 2022. The final submission deadline is Friday, February 3, 2023. Selections will be made and filmmakers notified by February 18, 2023.

The 8th annual BisonBison Film Festival will be held at the Burford Theatre in Arkansas City, KS on Friday, March 31 and Saturday, April 1, 2023. Submissions will be accepted beginning on Thursday, September 21, 2022. The earlybird deadline for submissions at a cost of just $25 will be Saturday, December 10, 2022. The final submission deadline at a cost of $40 will be Friday, February 3, 2023. Filmmakers will be notified of their selection status between Wednesday, February 15 and Saturday, February 18, 2023.

​The 2022 BisonBison Film Festival: A Student Competition (BBFF) is proud to announce the two workshop presenters: Nathan Oesterle and Chad Sanborn. BBFF will be held in Arkansas City, KS at the Historic Burford Theatre, 118 S. Summit. The dates are Friday through Sunday, April 1-3, 2022. The Festival is open to filmmakers enrolled in accredited colleges, universities and technical schools in the Mid-America Arts Region:  Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas and Texas. The mission of the BisonBison Film Festival is to recognize, promote and showcase the work of emerging filmmakers. All the workshops at BBFF are free and open to the public and held will be held on Sat. April 2, time to be announced later.