By Emma O'Brien
TOPEKA – Today, the Kelly Toland Inaugural Committee announced that Oscar-award-winning screenwriter and Junction City native Kevin Willmott will serve as the master of ceremonies for the Inaugural Ball in honor of Governor Laura Kelly, Lieutenant Governor David Toland, and other statewide elected officials on January 8.
“I am thrilled that Kevin Willmott will join us for the Inaugural Ball as the emcee to mark this next great chapter in our state’s history,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “Kevin has not only used his talent in filmmaking to bring to light many important issues impacting our country, but has brought his this talent back to his home state as a professor at the University of Kansas to educate the next generation of filmmakers, screenwriters, and directors.”
Kevin Willmott is a successful filmmaker, screenwriter, and director. He directed several award-winning productions, including "BlacKkKlansman," which won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay in 2019. Willmott is a Kansas native; he grew up in Junction City, and later went on to attend Marymount College in Salina. He is a professor at the University of Kansas, where he teaches Film and Media Studies.