The 35th Heartland Film Festival (HFF), presented by Alamo Drafthouse Cinema at The Square, ran Oct. 8 to 18 and showcased 100 films, including 24 World/U.S. Premieres, 24 Spotlight Screenings from major distributors, and nine Indiana Spotlight films.
The festival opened with two sold-out premieres at the Scottish Rite Cathedral. The Oct. 7 Festival Preview Screening of “First Five,” directed by Grant Guffin, included an extended Q&A with all five players of Bob Knight’s first class of IU basketball recruits.
The festival’s Opening Night on Oct. 8 showcased the world premiere of “JIMMY,” directed by Aaron Burns. Many of the film team, including lead KJ Apa, Director Aaron Burns, and Executive Producer and Jimmy Stewart’s daughter, Kelly Stewart Harcourt, attended the screening for the red carpet and extended Q&A. “JIMMY,” the untold true story of Jimmy Stewart, touched the hearts of festival attendees as it tied for the Overall Narrative Audience Choice Award with “I Play Rocky” from Amazon MGM Studios.
The festival’s Closing Night film, “The Debut” from Jesse Eisenberg and A24, screened to a sold-out crowd at The Tobias Theater at Newfields on Oct. 18.
On Saturday, Oct. 17, the festival awarded filmmakers $80,000 in cash prizes. Will Poulter attended the Awards Brunch and was honored with the Pioneering Spirit Award at the Heartland Film Festival. Poulter also accepted the $2,000 Richard D. Propes Narrative Social Impact Award for the film, “Union County,” with director Adam Meeks.
Finally, the Heartland Film Festival announced the Audience Choice Winners. All of the award-winning films are listed at this link.
A selection of award-winning films is available to stream through Sunday, Oct. 25 at HeartlandFilmFestival.org.
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