Heartland Film has been a staple in the Indianapolis arts community since 1991. While October marks the 34th Heartland International Film Festival, the organization celebrates independent film all year long with community screenings, education programs and the Academy Award®-Qualifying Indy Shorts International Film Festival in July.
The Indy Shorts and Heartland International Film Festivals are hidden gems. Both festivals were recognized on MovieMaker Magazine’s Top 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World list in 2023 & 2024!
In 2024, Heartland Film received over 6,000 film submissions. Less than 5% of the films submitted are selected for the festivals, so you are truly experiencing the best in independent film. With this level of curation, it’s no surprise that 17 films celebrated by Heartland Film received 52 total Oscar® nominations.
The Opening and Closing Night films of the 33rd Heartland International Film Festival (HIFF) went on to receive Academy Awards®. The Opening Night film and Humor & Humanity Award Winner, “A Real Pain” from Searchlight Pictures, received two nominations and took home the Oscar® for Supporting Actor. The Closing Night film, “Emilia Pérez” from Netflix, received the most Oscar® nominations at 13 and won for both Actress in a Supporting Role and Original Song.
“It’s exciting to see how many Oscar®-nominated films were showcased at Indy Shorts and the Heartland International Film Festival this past year. I believe one of the ‘coolest’ parts about attending our festivals is being among the first in the world to see these award-contending films,” says Heartland Film’s Artistic Director Greg Sorvig.
Heartland Film is a nonprofit arts organization and its long-time success is thanks to the generous support of donors, sponsors, members and volunteers. This April, there is a unique opportunity to help Heartland Film continue to showcase films that do more than entertain.
Heartland Film’s signature fundraiser, Cinemania presented by F.A. Wilhelm Construction Co., is back for its second year on April 11, 2025! The Indianapolis Recorder is a proud Media Partner of Cinemania, and this year’s theme is “A Tribute to Dance Films of the ’80s.” This epic celebration is inspired by classic films like “Flashdance,” “Purple Rain,” “Fame,” “Dirty Dancing,” “Footloose,” and “Xanadu”!
Attendees are encouraged to come out in eclectic ’80s chic and get ready to cut loose with radical drinks, legit food and electric entertainment. Headlined by America’s longest-running tribute band, The Breakfast Club, guests will dance into ’80s activations like a hair & makeup glam squad, prom night pictures, dance performances, themed cocktails and more!
We hope you’ll join the Indianapolis Recorder for this immersive evening, and we’ll see you on the “Purple Rain” Dance Floor! A limited number of tickets are still available at HeartlandFilm.org. All proceeds from Cinemania will help support the future of Heartland Film’s festivals, community events and education programs.
We also hope you’ll save the dates for Heartland Film’s 2025 festivals:
- 8th Annual Indy Shorts International Film Festival | July 22-27
- 34th Annual Heartland International Film Festival | October 9-19
For more information, visit heartlandfilm.org/festival.
