KCMO launching ‘Full Tilt Film Festival’ to showcase intersection of sports, film, culture
March 10, 2026 | Startland News Staff | Government, News
Six weeks after World Cup visitors wave goodbye, Kansas City is set to welcome sports and entertainment industry executives, celebrities, professional athletes and fans for a new signature event celebrating the art and business of sports storytelling, Mayor Quinton Lucas announced Tuesday.
Behind the scenes at the Kansas City film shoot for “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story” in summer 2024; courtesy photo
The Full Tilt Film Festival — slated for Aug. 28-29 across various venues in Kansas City, Missouri — is expected to feature high-profile entries, from documentaries and scripted features to athlete-founded production companies and franchise-led media ventures.
Through curated screenings, live conversations, and special events designed to appeal to both industry professionals and fans, the multi-day event aims to explore how sports stories are being told on screen, Lucas said — emphasizing the region’s ability to convene and platform top sports talent, beyond its own hometown franchises.
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Why Kansas City?
Kansas City has long been known as a sports town and is increasingly recognized as a growing production hub and creative capital. The festival builds on those identities by bringing industry leaders into the city while showcasing its creative ecosystem to national and international audiences.
“Full Tilt Film Festival represents a powerful opportunity to showcase Kansas City’s creative ecosystem to national and international industry leaders,” said Lucas. “By bringing filmmakers, studios, and athletes into the city for meaningful engagement, this event positions Kansas City not just as a host, but as a collaborator.”
Elements of the festival are planned to be exclusive to industry professionals, with additional public programming also available. Ticketing details are expected to be announced soon.
Led by the Kansas City Film Office — and designed as an annual summit — the festival is backed regionally by the Missouri Department of Tourism and the Missouri Film Office, underscoring its significance not only as a cultural event, but as a spotlight for the region’s creative and production capabilities, said Rachel Kephart, director of the Kansas City Film Office.
“This festival feels authentic to who we are,” she said. “Kansas City has always been a sports town, but we’re quickly becoming a creative capital too. What we’re building with this festival recognizes that sports storytelling is now one of the most powerful and influential forces in film and media. We’re creating a platform that celebrates that evolution and puts Kansas City at the center of the conversation.”
