25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World: Heartland International Film Festival & Indy Shorts International Film Festival

Media Contact: Director of Marketing, Jessica Chapman
jchapman@heartlandfilm.org | 317.750.3902

(JULY 17, 2023) INDIANAPOLIS - MovieMaker Magazine announced its 2023 list of the 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World. The Indy Shorts International Film Festival and the Heartland International Film Festival, the two film festivals presented by Indianapolis-based nonprofit arts organization Heartland Film, are included in the list. View a PDF of the article here.

“We’re deeply thankful to the thoughtful panel of moviemakers and film experts who handpicked these festivals,” says MovieMaker editor-in-chief Tim Molloy. “In addition to celebrating film, all of these beloved festivals offer the promise of new friendships, new adventures, and new experiences, on- and off-screen.”

MovieMaker’s 2023 Panel of Cool includes Katie Bignell and Ian Bignell (Festival Formula), as well as filmmakers Hanadi Elyan (Salma’s Home), Camrus Johnson (“She Dreams at Sunrise”), Aaron Hills (Cinedigm, Fish Kill Flea), Geoff Marslett (Quantum Cowboys), Sylvia Caminer (Follow Her), and Ondi Timoner (Last Flight Home).

"With thousands of film festivals in the world, this is an incredible achievement," said Artistic Director Greg Sorvig. "This honor has been on the top of our wish list for years, and we're incredibly fortunate to the panelists and alumni who have made our events so intimate and fun over the years."

Heartland Film was founded in 1991 with the mission to curate, promote and celebrate thoughtful and engaging films from diverse perspectives. Over the years, the festivals have presented $3.5 million in cash prizes – the largest total amount awarded by any film festival in North America.

Last year, Indy Shorts was included on MovieMaker Magazine's 2022 Best Short Film Film Festivals in the World list. Both festivals are annually on the 50 Best Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee.  

"This film festival really cares about the filmmakers," says Elyan. "The events and parties took place all around Indianapolis in cool and modern places. One of the parties took place at a bowling alley, and it was such a great way to meet and mingle with filmmakers while playing a game." That bowling alley is located in Indianapolis' utterly charming Bottleworks District, built around the site of what was once the world's largest Coca-Cola bottling plant. The Art Deco designs in the neighborhood feel historic and chic at the same time. The neighborhood is also home to the stunning Living Room Theaters, site of many Heartland screenings, and a wide range of excellent dining options. But the best part of this 31-year-old festival is a team that defies the word cool. The Midwestern hospitality never stops, and it's complemented by sublime taste. Infectiously enthusiastic artistic director Greg Sorvig is very in-demand as a film festival juror and programmer (he's also a programmer at the Tribeca Festival) and Heartland Film president Michal Ault makes his very complex job look effortless, consistently keeping guests inspired and delighted. All that, and Heartland Film also produces... 

The Academy-qualifying Heartland spinoff was established six years ago to highlight shorts and has quickly established itself as a shorts destination. "I've screened in this festival twice (both virtually when every festival was virtual and in-person years later), and it doesn't disappoint," says Johnson. "Not only do they have some strong programming, but from one filmmaker to another... they have a lot of prizes and a lot of prize money! It's really incredible to see so many hardworking filmmakers get rewarded for some real cash! Also, the connections I've made from Indy Shorts have helped my career substantially. Top fav." Along with Heartland, it's one of our 50 Film Festivals worth the entry fee. 

The Editor-in-Chief of MovieMaker Magazine, Tim Molloy, is scheduled to attend this year's Indy Shorts International Film Festival running July 18 - 23, 2023. Tickets are now on sale for the 6th Annual festival that will host screenings at Living Room Theaters (indoor), Newfields (indoor & amphitheater), Fort Ben Cultural Campus (indoor & outdoor) and virtually. The festival had a record number of 3,900+ shorts submitted, and from those, 165 shorts from 21 countries were programmed. The film lineup includes 18 World Premieres, 19 US Premieres, 54 Midwest Premieres and 47 Indiana Premieres. 

The shorts festival is also Academy Award®-Qualifying in all three short film categories (Live Action, Documentary and Animated) - only 34 film festivals in the world hold this designation. With a track record of 33 nominations and 10 Oscar®-winning shorts, there's a good chance attendees will see the next Academy Award®-contending films first in Indianapolis. Last year, an Indiana Spotlight film, "Stranger at the Gate" won the Grand Prize for Best Short Documentary receiving its Oscar® qualification. The film was then nominated for an Academy Award®.

Oscar®-winning director, Ben Proudfoot, is scheduled to attend Indy Shorts with his Academy Award® statuette. Proudfoot's new documentary, "Forgiving Johnny," will World Premiere as part of the Spotlight: Breakwater Studios Program. This program also includes two other shorts from the director. Ben Proudfoot’s Oscar®-Winning short documentary, “The Queen of Basketball,” is playing at the Indy Shorts International Film Festival on Friday, July 21, during the Oscar® Shorts program at the Amphitheatre at Newfields.  

ESPN Films, Vanishing Angle, Easterseals Disability Film Challenge, Children's Resilience with Shine Global, and the High School Film Competition are other Spotlight Programs at Indy Shorts. 

Tickets and the full schedule can be found at www.IndyShorts.org. Link to the full Announcement Day Indy Shorts Press Release.

The 32nd Heartland International Film Festival is running October 5-15, 2023 at theaters around the Indianapolis area. The film lineup and tickets will be available starting on September 15.

You can read about all 25 festivals included on the list in a PDF of the full MovieMaker Magazine article here.

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 prizes – 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 ten Oscar®-winning short film titles. The 32nd Heartland International Film Festival is scheduled for October 5-15, 2023, and the 6th Indy Shorts International Film Festival was held July 18-23, 2023. For more information, visit HeartlandFilm.org.

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