"King Richard" Wins Overall Audience Choice Award; 30th Heartland International Film Festival Announces Audience Choice and IFJA Award Winners

Media Contact: Jessica Chapman

jchapman@heartlandfilm.org | 317.750.3902

(OCTOBER 18, 2021) INDIANAPOLIS – The 30th Heartland International Film Festival (HIFF) concluded yesterday and has announced its final awards, including the full list of Audience Choice Award Winners. King Richard" (Warner Bros. Pictures) starred and produced by Will Smith, won the HIFF Overall Audience Choice Award, earning the top score across this year's entire film lineup. HIFF also honored Will Smith with the Pioneering Spirit Award in celebration of Smith's portrayal of Richard Williams, which he accepted via surprise video message before the Anniversary Gala Event screening of "King Richard" on October 16 at Newfields.  

In addition to the previously announced FIPRESCI Award for Best US Narrative Directorial Debut, "Mass" (Bleecker Street) was also voted the winner of the Narrative Special Presentation Audience Choice Award and was selected by the Indiana Film Journalists Association (IFJA) as winner of the IFJA Award for Best Special Presentation (selected across the HIFF slate of studio event and special presentation titles). Last week, HIFF also honored "Mass" actress Ann Dowd with the Pioneering Spirit: Lifetime Achievement Award.

"Returning to theaters with enthusiastic audiences for our 30th anniversary was a transformative experience," said Artistic Director Greg Sorvig. "Prior to last year's mostly virtual pivot, I had been able to predict the Festival's top audience winners by listening to crowd reactions, and I had a strong feeling that 'King Richard' would go on to be the top winner after many rounds of applause, laughs, and tears. It was the perfect return to the cinema for so many of our attendees!

Additionally, I have to give my highest praise to 'Mass' for its unprecedented awards from three key groups: our audience with the Narrative Special Presentation Audience Choice Award, international critics for the FIPRESCI Award, and local critics for the IFJA Award. The film is transcendent, timely, and clearly made a resounding impact on every person who has seen the film. Congratulations to all the Audience Choice Award-winning films!"  

The festival showcased 143 films that included 14 Event titles, 11 World Premieres and 8 U.S. Premieres. HIFF's hybrid Festival hosted 162 in-person screenings and streamed 11,000 films over the course of the 11-day festival. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, HIFF had the highest number of attendees in its 30-year history.

Armed with a clear vision and a brazen 78-page plan, Richard Williams is determined to write his daughters, Venus and Serena, into history. Training on Compton, California’s abandoned tennis courts - rain or shine - the girls are shaped by their father’s unyielding commitment and their mother’s balanced perspective and keen intuition, defying the seemingly insurmountable odds and prevailing expectations laid before them. Based on the true story that will inspire the world, "King Richard" follows the journey of a family whose unwavering resolve and unconditional belief ultimately delivers two of the world’s greatest sports legends. 

Years after an unspeakable tragedy tore their lives apart, two sets of parents (Jason Isaacs and Martha Plimpton, Reed Birney and Ann Dowd) agree to talk privately in an attempt to move forward. In Fran Kranz’ writing and directing debut, he thoughtfully examines their journey of grief, anger and acceptance by coming face-to-face with the ones who have been left behind. 

"The Rescue" chronicles the dramatic 2018 rescue of 12 Thai boys and their soccer coach, trapped deep inside a flooded cave. Academy Award-winning directors and producers E. Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin reveal the perilous world of cave diving, the bravery of the rescuers, and the dedication of an entire community that made great sacrifices to save these young boys.  

After the bombing of his father's chocolate factory, a charming young Syrian refugee struggles to settle into his new Canadian small-town life, caught between following his dream to become a doctor and preserving his family's chocolate-making legacy. Based on the internationally recognized true story.  

At age 10, aspiring pianist Norman Malone is paralyzed on his right side after being attacked by his father. Over the next several decades he masters the left-hand repertoire in secret before a chance discovery of his talent leads him towards making his concert debut. Aged 78, he will perform the greatest work in the canon: Ravel’s Piano Concerto for the Left Hand.  

After a crippling series of overdose deaths, rural Brown County, Indiana decides to "Do Something" differently to fight addiction. The film is a powerful story of hope and recovery for individuals in use, their families, and the community as a whole.  

A family with buried secrets reunite at a farmhouse after two decades to pay for their past sins. Starring Robert Patrick, Nick Stahl, Scott Haze, Kelli Garner, and Tony Hale.

"'Mass' is a revelation — a  film both intimate and profound. Four actors give world-class performances in this drama from writer/director Fran Kranz about two couples attempting to bridge the widest of divides: the tragic encounter between their sons. It is a story of tragedy and hope, enduring pain and the incorruptible power of forgiveness. The IFJA applauds Kranz and the cast and crew for their compelling achievement."

More than $60,000 in cash prizes was award on Friday, October 15, to filmmakers. "All These Sons” and “Americanish” won $20,000 Grand Prizes, “Mass” wins FIPRESCI Award, and “Procession” wins Richard D. Propes Documentary Social Impact Award. The full list of award winners can be found here.

In celebration of their 30th Anniversary, the Heartland International Film Festival was honored to showcase 14 Event titles which included: “King Richard” (Warner Bros. Pictures), “Spencer” (NEON), “C’mon C’mon” (A24), “The Power of the Dog” (Netflix), “The French Dispatch” (Searchlight Pictures), “Belfast” (Focus Features), “The Hand of God” (Netflix), “Julia” (Sony Pictures Classics), “Mass” (Bleecker Street), “Bergman Island” (IFC Films), “Flee” (NEON), “The Humans” (A24), “Jagged” (HBO Documentary Films), and “The Electrical Life of Louis Wain” (Amazon Studios).

"From the many filmmakers to our volunteers, donors, sponsors, members and our talented staff, thank you to everyone who have made 30th Anniversary so successful. We've been blown away by our community support that has brought us to where we are today," said Heartland Film President Michael Ault. "I look forward to beginning the process in creating next years events and festivals."

You can learn more about the Heartland International Film Festival at www.HeartlandFilm.org.

Heartland Film is a nonprofit arts organization that runs the 11-day Heartland International Film Festival in October, the Academy Award®-qualifying Indy Shorts International Film Festival in July, the Truly Moving Picture Award and other year-round programs. Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, Heartland Film was founded in 1991 with the mission to curate, promote and celebrate thoughtful and engaging films from diverse perspectives. Over the years, Heartland Film has presented $3.5 million in cash prize – the largest total amount awarded by any film festival in North America – presented 200+ studio films with the Truly Moving Picture Award, and showcased more than 2,000 feature and short films, including seven Oscar®-winning titles. The 30th Anniversary of the Heartland International Film Festival ran October 7-17, 2021. The 31st Heartland International Film Festival will take place October 6-16, 2022. For more information, visit HeartlandFilm.org.  

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