Heartland Film’s signature fundraiser ‘Cinemania’ will celebrate dance films of the ‘80s

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Heartland Film’s signature fundraising event, Cinemania presented by F.A. Wilhelm Construction Co. returns for a second year on Friday, April 11, 2025, at The Crane Bay Event Center, 551 W. Merrill St., Indianapolis.

Last year’s inaugural event was sold out with the theme “A Tribute to The Beatles in Film.” The 2025 theme is “A Tribute to Dance Films of the ’80s,” and 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, electric entertainment, and bitchin’ activations.

F.A. Wilhelm Construction Co. is back as the Marquee Sponsor for Cinemania 2025. Sponsorships are available at $5,000, $10,000, and $25,000 levels and include benefits ranging from name and logo recognition to private studios. Sponsorship details can be found here. Individual tickets ($300) and Party Packs of 12 tickets ($250 each) are available for purchase at CinemaniaIndy.org.

Cinemania 2025 has two dynamic couples leading the charge. Heartland Films is proud to announce that Mike and Kyra Epps are the Honorary Co-Chairs alongside Brian and Gigi Wilkes. Mike is a famous stand-up comedian and actor, and Kyra is an award-winning TV producer, and together they have an HGTV show called Buying Back the Block. Brian Wilkes has been the Chief Meteorologist at Fox 59 since 1995, and last year, he was the Cinemania Red Carpet host. Brian and Gigi were the life of the party at the first Cinemania and they say they are thrilled to return as the Honorary Co-Chairs.

The Cinemania Committee is led by Committee Chair Vicki Bohlsen. The Cinemania Committee includes Kelly Alexiou, Charla Booth, Terry Bowdell, Beth Breymier, Denise Cook, Leslie Donchetz, Michael Durr, Lynda Goeke, Cori Korn, Fred Lockett, Katie Lory, Amy Pauszek, Lisa Sarbach, Ben Shine, and Neelu Sondhi.

Since 1991, Heartland Film’s mission has been to curate, promote, and celebrate thoughtful and engaging films from diverse perspectives. Cinemania supports the non-profit arts organization’s film festivals, community events, and education program. Through sponsors, donations, ticket sales, and event activations, Heartland Film brought in roughly $250,000 from this event in 2024.

You can learn more about Heartland Film and Cinemania at HeartlandFilm.org.