The largest film festival in Kansas is getting more female-friendly. The Tallgrass Film Association (TFA) has announced the creation of DoXX Spotlight competition for women-directed feature-length documentaries. According to a press release, the competition will launch at this year’s Tallgrass International Film Festival, which is being held October 18–22. The fest is now in its 15th year.

The winning film “will screen as part of an evening spotlight during the festival with a post-screening Q&A and special honors to the filmmaker(s).” A jury comprised exclusively of women will determine the top film: Seattle International Film Festival’s Interim Artistic Director Beth Barrett, Women Make Movies Executive Director Debra Zimmerman, and award-winning documentary filmmaker Maisie Crow (“Jackson”).

Lela Meadow-Conner, TFA Creative Director, emphasized that the fest has always included many female-helmed films — and especially docs — in its program. “These filmmakers often take tough subject matter and utilize their strong voices to make films that tell essential stories from thoughtful perspectives,” she said.

TFA Executive Director Marci Hawks added, “We look forward to the DoXX Spotlight bringing much warranted attention to women filmmakers from around the globe.”

Eligibility rules state that films can be made by co-directors, but every co-director must be a woman. The project must not have secured any traditional distribution deal (theatrical or VOD) at the time of the fest. Films from all countries and all budgets are welcome. After the fest’s Programming Committee selects the finalists, the three-woman jury will decide the winning film. All of the finalists will be screened in regular competition at the festival.

Head over to the fest’s website for further details.