Noblesville Creates & Heartland Film to transform downtown into outdoor cinema

Enjoy free Indy Shorts Film Festival screenings films under the stars

Submitted by Noblesville Creates

Downtown Noblesville is taking center stage on Friday, Aug. 7.

As the community continues to embrace the transformation of downtown through the Embrace Downtown construction project, Noblesville Creates is inviting residents and visitors to rediscover the heart of the city during a special First Friday celebration that brings award-winning films, local businesses, and the community together on the Courthouse Square.

In partnership with Heartland Film, Noblesville Creates will transform 9th Street into an open-air cinema featuring two free screening programs from the ninth annual Indy Shorts International Film Festival. The event highlights the power of the arts to create memorable community experiences while encouraging guests to explore the shops, restaurants, and galleries that make downtown Noblesville a destination.

Each month, Noblesville Creates’ First Friday highlights a different artistic discipline – from visual art and theatre to music, storytelling, and now independent film – inviting the community to experience creativity in new ways while celebrating downtown Noblesville.

“Downtown has always been a place where our community gathers,” Noblesville Creates Executive Director Ailithir McGill said. “Even as exciting improvements continue through the Embrace Downtown project, we want people to know our local businesses are open, thriving, and ready to welcome visitors. This First Friday is an opportunity to experience great films while enjoying everything that makes downtown Noblesville special.”

Guests are encouraged to make an evening of it by arriving early to browse local boutiques, explore downtown galleries, and enjoy dinner or refreshments from one of the Square’s many restaurants – including favorites like Matteo’s Ristorante Italiano – before settling in for an evening of exceptional short films beneath the summer sky. Visitors can also discover creative experiences at downtown partners including Kiln Creations and Moonshot Games, making First Friday the perfect opportunity to explore everything downtown Noblesville has to offer. Alcoholic beverages purchased from participating downtown establishments may be enjoyed during the screenings in approved to-go cups.

The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. with a Family Short Film Program, featuring imaginative stories from around the world that audiences of all ages can enjoy. The lineup includes:

• Eggspedition
• Dodgeball
• Singularity
• Trophy Son
• Lost Track
• ChikaBOOM!
• Saba

At 7:45 p.m., the celebration continues with a Comedy Short Film Program, showcasing a collection of witty and entertaining independent films:

• Easy Sell
• The Method
• My Dog: The Paradox
• Scratch
• CANDY BAR

More than movies

In addition to the evening’s film screenings, First Friday will feature live music and a curated selection of local artisan vendors, creating a lively community atmosphere throughout the Courthouse Square.

Featured artists include:

• Kristen Gruber of Melly’s Distractions, showcasing handcrafted resin artwork including decorative bowls, sun catchers, jewelry, and other unique artisan creations.
• Mandelyn Beatley of Mandelyn Studios, featuring original artwork, hand-gilded prints, original comics, stationery, and other illustrated works celebrating creativity and storytelling.

To complete the outdoor cinema experience, The Spice & Tea Exchange of Noblesville will offer guests the opportunity to discover its signature gourmet popcorn seasonings – perfect for customizing movie-night snacks while supporting another of downtown’s unique local businesses. Together with downtown businesses, restaurants, and community partners, the event transforms the Square into an evening-long celebration of the arts, encouraging visitors to shop, dine, explore, and connect while experiencing award-winning independent films.

Heartland Film’s Indy Shorts International Film Festival has become one of the nation’s premier celebrations of short-form filmmaking, connecting audiences with innovative stories from around the world. Through this special partnership, Noblesville Creates is proud to bring a selection of those acclaimed films directly to the heart of downtown.

Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, picnic blankets, picnic baskets, and their favorite non-alcoholic beverages to enjoy the outdoor screenings.

This special presentation is made possible through the partnership of Heartland Film and the generous support of Hamilton County Tourism, whose investment continues to strengthen Hamilton County’s creative economy by connecting residents and visitors with outstanding arts experiences in the heart of downtown Noblesville.

Learn more about Noblesville Creates at noblesvillecreates.org, and find out more about the Indy Shorts Film Festival and the upcoming Heartland Film Festival at heartlandfilm.org.