ABOUT HEARTLAND FILM

Our Mission

Heartland Film is a nonprofit arts organization that runs the 11-day Heartland International Film Festival in October, the Academy Award®-Qualifying Indy Shorts International Film Festival in July, the Truly Moving Picture Award and other year-round programs.

Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, Heartland Film was founded in 1991 with the mission to curate, promote and celebrate thoughtful and engaging films from diverse perspectives.

Whether they inspire conversation, ignite imagination or shift perspectives, the films we select and exhibit all have one thing in common: they do more than just entertain.

Community Outreach

Weʼre on a mission to connect inspiring films with local community partners who have information and resources to help our audience take action! If you know a local non-profit organization that would like to be a community partner for the 2023 festivals, email boxoffice@heartlandfilm.org!

Industry Recognition

A film festival doesnʼt make it 31 years by chance. With a tradition of thought-provoking films, dedication to filmmaker experience and a community focus, it is easy to see why our festivals continue to gain international recognition. In 2022, the Indy Shorts and Heartland International Film Festival were honored on three international lists by MovieMaker Magazine.

Indy Shorts International Film Festival

• Top 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee

• Best Short Film Festivals in the World

Heartland International Film Festival

• Top 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee

Truly Moving Picture Award

Since 2010, Heartland Film has selected nearly 200 studio-released films to honor with the Truly Moving Picture Award (TMPA). The laurel serves as a curatorial standard to enable moviegoers to identify impactful films that do more than entertain.

You can see an archive of all the past Truly Moving Picture Award winning films and where you can watch them on our website. Each film poster is linked to its Letterboxd page.

High School Film Competition

Indy Shorts runs the High School Film Competition, presented by founding sponsors Robert & Alison Spoonmore. Launched in 2010, the High School Film Competition encourages tomorrowʼs filmmakers to follow their passion and create short films that push their talents, creativity and art to the next level.

Shorts made by high school students from around the world will compete for the Best Student Film Awards in the categories of Narrative, Documentary and Animation ($500 cash prize each).

These category winners compete for the $2,000 Summer White Lynch Memorial Award, underwritten by Gary D. & Marlene Cohen.

Keep Up With Us

Things are about to get very merry and bright at Heartland Filmʼs Merry Movie Nights!

Come out for our new mini-movie-series showcasing your favorite holiday classic films at the Historic Athenaeum (December 1 & 2) and Theater at the Fort (December 15, 16, 17 & 18).

The film schedule and tickets will be available on November 11.