Media Contacts:
Heartland Film | Jessica Chapman, Director of Marketing jchapman@heartlandfilm.org | 317.750.3902
Heartland Film | Jessica Chapman, Director of Marketing jchapman@heartlandfilm.org | 317.750.3902
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(March 11, 2024) - The 96th Academy Awards® took place on Sunday, March 10. Four films honored by Heartland Film won 10 Oscars® including "Oppenheimer" for Best Picture.
“I'd like to congratulate ‘American Fiction,’ ‘Anatomy of a Fall,’ ‘The Holdovers,’ ‘Oppenheimer’ and ‘The Last Repair Shop’ on their Oscar® wins last night," said Artistic Director Greg Sorvig. “It has been an honor for Heartland Film to showcase these stories and to see them recognized at the highest level."
The full list of Academy Award® Winners can be found here.
Oscar® Winners Honored by Heartland Film in 2023
AMERICAN FICTION | Best Adaptive Screenplay
"American Fiction” from Orion Pictures/MGM played at the 2023 Heartland International Film Festival and won the Humor & Humanity Award.
“When we saw ‘American Fiction’ premiere at Toronto, we knew Cord Jefferson’s sharp, funny and tender screenplay would be a major contender come awards season,” said Sorvig. “The film was honored with our Humor & Humanity Award at the 2023 Heartland International Film Festival, and we’re thrilled that Cord’s feature debut was recognized in such a tremendous way.”
ANATOMY OF A FALL | Best Original Screenplay
“Anatomy of a Fall” from Neon was a part of the Cannes at the Kan-Kan program during the 2023 Heartland International Film Festival.
“One of the most talked about movies of the year, ‘Anatomy of a Fall’ captivated audiences with dynamic writing, character development and escalating drama,” said Sorvig. “It was no surprise when Justine Triet and Arthur Harari’s script was announced as this year’s original screenplay winner!”
THE HOLDOVERS | Best Supporting Actress, Da'Vine Joy Randolph
“The Holdovers” from Focus Features was the Closing Night film at the 2023 Heartland International Film Festival, and received the IJFA Best Special Presentation Award.
“Da’Vine Joy Randolph has swept awards season for her portrayal of Mary in the 2023 Heartland International Film Festival Closing Night film, ‘The Holdovers,’ and we were elated to see her journey fittingly end with a well-deserved Oscar win last night,” said Sorvig. “We love seeing alumna like Da’Vine reach amazing new heights, and it was an honor to feature this career-defining, award-winning performance in Indianapolis.”
OPPENHEIMER | Best Picture | Best Directing, Christopher Nolan | Best Actor, Cillian Murphy | Best Supporting Actor, Robert Downey Jr. | Best Cinematography | Best Film Editing | Best Original Score
Heartland Film honored “Oppenheimer” with a 2023 Truly Moving Picture Award.
“Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’ is a rare feat that fires on all cylinders from every production department,” said Sorvig. “The result is a fully realized vision that dynamically captures the internal and external conflict of not only its protagonist, but of all mankind, and it was fittingly rewarded as this year’s biggest winner of the Oscars.”
THE LAST REPAIR SHOP | Best Documentary Short Film
Congratulations to Indy Shorts alumni filmmakers Ben Proudfoot and Kris Bowers for winning Best Documentary Short Film! The co-directors won the 2021 Indy Shorts Jenni Berebitsky Legacy Award for “A Concerto is a Conversation,” and Ben was honored with the Pioneering Spirit Award at the 2023 Indy Shorts!
“Ben and Kris weave music and humanist filmmaking together in a celebration of second chances, opportunity and the human spirit,” said Artistic Director Greg Sorvig. “Breakwater Studios is dedicated to the art of documentary short film, and we continue to be inspired by the subjects and stories they share with the world.”
About Heartland Film, Inc.
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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