WICHITA, Kansas -- Kansas film buffs have an opportunity this weekend to see something that used to be reserved for people on the East and West Coasts.
The
Wichita Public Library is hosting its annual preview of Academy Award-nominated short films. It's your chance to see the contenders before the Oscars are handed out on February 24.
"This is an extraordinary opportunity for our community," said Cynthia Berner Harris, Director of Libraries.
This is the 27th year the Wichita Public Library has offered the free preview.
"At the time our film program was created, the only opportunity to see short films was in New York or in Los Angeles and often limited to people who are members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences," said Harris.
If you go to one of the showings, you should be aware that shorts are typically not rated and may not be suitable for all audiences.
There are 15 nominated shorts divided among three categories: Animated, Live Action and Documentary.
If you want to watch all of them in one sitting, almost six hours in total length, there are two opportunities. The first one is Saturday, February 16 at 10 a.m. at the Warren Theatre at 21st and Tyler. The second one is Saturday, February 23 at 10 a.m. at the Orpheum Theatre at 1st and Broadway.
There will be three showings that include the animated and live action categories:
* Sunday, February 17 at 1 p.m. at Alford Branch Library, 3447 S. Meridian
* Wednesday, February 20 at noon at Evergreen Branch Library, 2601 N. Arkansas
* Friday, February 22 at 1 p.m. at Maya Angelou Northeast Branch Library, 3051 E. 21st
If you only want to watch the animated shorts, those five will be shown Tuesday, February 19 at 5 p.m. at Westlink Branch Library, 8515 Bekemeyer.
If you only want to see the five documentary shorts, those are showing on Thursday, February 21 at 4 p.m. at Rockwell Branch Library, 5939 E. 9th.
All showings are free. Space is limited. People will be allowed in on a first come, first seated basis.
