Wichita State University students and the Tallgrass Film Festival are collaborating on the promotion and marketing for “VI to X: Six Months to Tallgrass Ten,” at one-day film festival being held Saturday, April 21, at the Orpheum Theatre, 200 N. Broadway.

In the capstone course for Integrated Marketing Communication students in WSU’s Elliott School of Communication (ESC), students work in teams on a campaign for a local non-profit organization.

The Tallgrass Film Festival is hosting “VI to X” to promote the 10th anniversary of the festival in October. “VI to X” will feature four free films and a premiering film with after-party for $25.

The day will conclude with a midnight screening sponsored by the Wichita film group Hurts So Good. In addition to the films, festivities will take place outside the Orpheum Theatre all day long. The class is working on putting the “festival” into the film festival.

“This group of students hit the ground running and is working well with Tallgrass’ objectives,” said Lisa Parcell, ESC associate professor of communication.

Parcell has been teaching the capstone course for seven years.

“I am excited my students have the opportunity to work on such a hands-on experience,” Parcell said.

Students in the group are David Girard, Aleasha Greene, Ryan Harrell, Andrea Holzwarth, Nate Reisig, Michael Wood and Scott Zimmerman.

Jessy Clonts, marketing director for Tallgrass and a graduate of the ESC, sought out the partnership.

“I enjoy the opportunity to both educate and train future professionals in the Wichita media community, just as people did for me when I was in school,” said Clonts. “This year Tallgrass is seeking out a younger demographic, while continuing to satisfy their original fan base. Having students from this age group help us with marketing and promotion gives us an advantage."