Documentary on Coach Bob Knight’s first five IU recruits to preview 35th Heartland Film Festival

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Heartland Film announces that the documentary, First Five, about Coach Bob Knight’s first recruiting class at Indiana University, will have its World Premiere at the 35th Heartland Film Festival.

The Heartland Film Festival, presented by Alamo Drafthouse Cinema at The Square, is scheduled to run from Oct. 8 to 18. First Five will play as a Festival Preview Screening on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at the Scottish Rite Cathedral, 650 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis. Team Green Law and Craig Culver are the presenting sponsors of this special screening, and all five IU seniors from the 1975 team will participate in a Q&A following the screening.

Click here to watch the trailer on YouTube.

This Indiana Spotlight documentary offers an intimate look at the five Midwestern young men who served as Coach Knight’s first recruiting class at IU. Molded by Knight’s legendary “iron will,” this core group of players put everything on the line to revive a struggling Hoosier basketball program, ultimately laying the cornerstone for one of the most dominant dynasties in college basketball history.

Featuring rare footage and deeply personal insights, the film chronicles how these five athletes embraced a grueling standard of excellence to cement a lasting basketball empire.

IU Basketball players expected to attend screening on Oct. 7:

• Steve Ahlfeld, IU: 1971-1975 #24
• Doug Allen, IU: 1971-1975 #25
• Steve Green, IU: 1971-1975 #34
• John Kamstra, IU: 1971-1975, #30
• John Laskowski, IU: 1971-1975, #31

“The historic success of Indiana University Basketball is filled with incredible stories,” Heartland Film Vice President Adam Howell said. “We are thrilled to share another chapter celebrating remarkable Hoosiers and their lasting legacy in Indiana sports. A story about Hoosier Basketball is the perfect way to commemorate the festival’s 35th anniversary.”

Tickets for the First Five screening and the Opening Night screening of the Jimmy Stewart biopic, JIMMY, are on sale at HeartlandFilm.org. The full festival schedule and tickets will be available on Thursday, Sept. 17.