FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2020
(DECEMEMBER 11, 2020) INDIANAPOLIS – The new Netflix film releasing today, “The Prom,” from Director Ryan Murphy and starring Meryl Streep, James Cordon, Nicole Kidman, Jo Ellen Pellman, Ariana DeBose, Keegan-Michael Key, Andrew Rannells and Kerry Washington, is the recipient of Heartland Film’s Truly Moving Picture Award. Since 2010, the Award has honored nearly 200 studio-released films and serves as a curatorial standard – assisting moviegoers to identify impactful films that do more than just entertain.
“The Prom” – a spectacular, big-hearted film adaptation of Chad Beguelin, Bob Martin and Matthew Sklar's award-winning, Tony-nominated Broadway musical – is about down-on-their-luck Broadway stars who shake up a small Indiana town as they rally behind a teen who wants to go to the prom with her girlfriend.
“We believe films have the ability to inspire and change perspectives, and we’re honored to present the Truly Moving Picture Award to ‘The Prom.’ The ensemble cast, humor, and message of acceptance and discovery make it a perfect movie for this moment,” said Heartland Film Artistic Director, Greg Sorvig.
“On behalf of ‘The Prom,’ we are so honored to receive this year's Truly Moving Picture Award! Thank you for all of the work you are doing to further arts education and outreach in the great state of Indiana. As someone who grew up and currently lives right next door in Ohio, I know firsthand the impact that thriving local arts organizations can have on the lives of young people. Thank you for including us in your mission,” said leading actress, Jo Ellen Pellman.
Thanks to a partnership with Netflix and Heartland Film, a group of 150 high school students, comprised of Central Indiana students and national high school filmmakers featured in last July’s “High School Film Competition” program at Heartland Film’s Indy Shorts, will get to virtually meet up-and-coming stars, Ariana DeBose (Original Broadway Cast of “Hamilton” and “West Side Story,” 2021) and Jo Ellen Pellman (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” 2017), for a live virtual Q&A on Thursday, December 17. Students have been invited from Carmel High School, The Civic Theatre Youth Artists Program, Great American Songbook Foundation, and filmmakers from the Indy Shorts International Film Festival’s High School Film Competition.
“Ariana DeBose and Jo Ellen Pellman are young stars setting the industry on fire, and we’re proud to partner with Netflix to offer Indy theater and filmmaking students an inspiring, unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Heartland Film President, Craig Prater. “This program is a perfect representation of Heartland Film’s vision as the pre-eminent destination for connecting audiences and filmmakers to experience the transformative power of film.”
Starting Friday, December 11, “The Prom” will be available on Netflix and select theaters. View “The Prom” official trailer here. To learn more about Heartland Film Truly Moving Picture Award or the Indy Shorts High School Competition, go to HeartlandFilm.org.
About Heartland Film, Inc.
Heartland Film is a nonprofit arts organization founded in 1991 with the mission to inspire filmmakers and audiences through the transformative power of film. Heartland Film presents the annual Heartland International Film Festival, Academy Award®-qualifying Indy Shorts International Film Festival, the Heartland Film Best of Fest, Heartland Film Marquee Series and bestows the Truly Moving Picture Award industry honor to major film releases throughout the year. In response to COVID, Heartland Film launched Heartland Film at Home as a safe option to watch the latest and best in independent cinema, including HIFF films from the past from your home. For more information, visit Heartlandfilm.org.
###
