Heartland Film Announces New Board Chair and Three New Members

Media Contact: Jessica Chapman

jchapman@heartlandfilm.org | 317.750.3902

(December 11, 2023) Non-profit arts organization Heartland Film, Inc. welcomed three new board members on Tuesday, December 5, 2023. These additions follow the successful conclusion of the 32nd Heartland International Film Festival (October 5-15, 2023).

"I'd like to congratulate our new board members," said Michael Ault, President. "I am confident these individuals will bring inspiring ideas and connections that will continue to uplift our organization to new levels."

Heartland Film also elected new Board Officers effective January 1, 2024. John Dewey (Edward Jones) is the new Board Chair. He has served on the Heartland Film Board of Directors since 2018 and was the Treasurer for the last four years. Over the years, John has also served on boards of the Indianapolis Habitat for Humanity (2012 to 2017), Indiana University School of Nursing (2012 to 2022, Board Chairman from 2020 to 2022), Lawrence Community Development Corporation (2017-2021), Benjamin Harrison YMCA (2012-2017) and Lawrence Chamber of Commerce (2014 - 2018). 

"It is my joy to serve Heartland Film and this great community," said John Dewey, Board Chair. "I am proud our film organization is ranked in the top 25 of Coolest Film Festivals in the World and honored to continue building on the foundation laid by previous chairs." 

John Dewey, Edward Jones

David Wong, Barnes & Thornburg LLP

Jennifer Darby, Indiana Youth Institute

Gabe Connell, Founder of HotBox Pizza LLC

Kim Dollin, CBIZ Somerset

The 2024 Heartland Film Advisory Council Members are Kelly Alexiou, Mary Azar Callahan, Brooke Barnett, Alpha Blackburn, Lisa Breall, Mika Brown, Andrea Brummett, Ellen Butz, Katrina Canfield, Gary Cohen, Sandra Daly, Claudia Dille, Leslie Donchetz, Michael Durr, LeeAnn Edmonston, Jenny Godby, Lynda Goeke, Arlene Grande, Tom Grande, Nikki Gray, Ted Green, Dija Henry, Amy Howell, Lindsey Marie Kirkpatrick, David Klapper, Cori Korn, Larry Landis, Katie Lory, Luke Messer, Liza Najem, Alexis Odle, Sam Odle, Chris Phillips, Heather Richmund, Michelle Roberts, Suzanne Rothenberg, Susan Salsbery, Bob Schultz, Sarah Silcox, Neelu Sondhi, Brian Southard, David Spencer, Chantel Stone, Rocky Walls, Roberta Walton and Amy Wright.

Heartland Film was founded in 1991 with the mission to curate, promote and celebrate thoughtful and engaging films from diverse perspectives. In 2023, Heartland Film hosted the 6th Indy Shorts International Film Festival and the 32nd Heartland International Film Festival. Both festivals this year were honored on MovieMaker Magazine's list of the Top 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World for 2023. Indy Shorts made MovieMaker's top 20 Best Short Film Festivals in the World for 2022 and both festivals made the 2023 list of 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee. Dates for the 2024 festivals are set for: 

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, 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 10 Oscar®-winning short film titles. MovieMaker Magazine named both the Indy Shorts and Heartland International Film Festival on the top 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World list for 2023. The 7th Annual Indy Shorts International Film Festival is scheduled July 23-28, 2024 and the 33rd Heartland International Film Festival runs October 10-20, 2024. For more information, visit www.HeartlandFilm.org.

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