33rd Heartland International Film Festival Announces Winners & Presents $60,000 in Cash Prizes

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(October 21, 2024) INDIANAPOLIS - The 33rd Heartland International Film Festival (HIFF) announced the 2024 award winners and presented more than $60,000 in cash prizes to recipients at the Awards Presentation on Saturday, October 19 at The Jazz Kitchen. The 11-day festival concluded on Sunday, October 20, with "Emilia Pérez" from Netflix showcased during the Closing Night screening presented by The Klapper Family Foundation at The Tobias Theater at Newfields. 

The 2024 Heartland International Film Festival's theme encouraged attendees to "Expand Your Universe" with 120+ independent films including 27 World/U.S. Premieres, 20 Special Presentations from major distributors and 11 Indiana Spotlight films. 

The day before the festival began, the Heartland International Film Festival was honored on MovieMaker Magazine's 2024 list of the Top 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World. This is the second year in a row the festival has been on this list. 

HIFF kicked off with a sold-out screening of the Opening Night film "A Real Pain" from Searchlight Pictures, which went on to won the Humor & Humanity Award and $2,000 Cash Prize. 

Major cash prizes were awarded to "La Cocina," directed by Alonso Ruizpalacios ($20,000 Narrative Feature Grand Prize) and "Porcelain War," directed by Brendan Bellomo and Slava Leontyev ($20,000 Documentary Feature Grand Prize). 

"We're honored to recognize these incredible filmmakers' work at the Heartland International Film Festival Awards Presentation," said Artistic Director Greg Sorvig. "These films connected with the jury members and have expanded our audience's universes."

Craig T. Nelson attended the Awards Presentation to accept the Pioneering Spirit Award: Lifetime Achievement Award. Nelson stars in "Green and Gold" which had its World Premiere at the Heartland International Film Festival and won the Jimmy Stewart Legacy Award with a $5,000 cash prize. HIFF is the only festival in the world to have an award in honor of beloved actor Jimmy Stewart with a cash prize underwritten by the Stewart Family. The Jimmy Stewart Legacy Award and $5,000 cash prize is awarded to one film in the HIFF lineup that best demonstrates the triumph of the human spirit through determination and the defiance of odds, humble vulnerability, and courage in the face of adversity. "Green and Gold" also received the Narrative Official Selection Audience Choice Award.

"Sing Sing" Director/Writer and HIFF alumnus ("Rising from Ashes" 2012, "Jockey" 2021) Greg Kwedar attended the HIFF Awards Presentation and received the 2024 Pioneering Spirit Award given to an individual in the prime of their career. "Sing Sing" had a special Awards Season Encore screening during the festival where Kwedar connected with audiences in a post-screening discussion. 

Earlier in the week, HIFF hosted the 2nd Annual PitchDox Main Event presented by Hoodox where five local documentary filmmakers presented their project idea to a live audience for a chance to receive $10,000 to complete their film. The $10,000 prize went to "Bloom" produced by Malakai Tyne Bisel, Victoria Britton and Derek Hockemeyer. This film will tell the story of super gardener Alex Babich and his quest to grow America's tallest sunflower, all while balancing the needs of his family and the challenges of nature. Following the PitchDox Main Event, the recipient of the 2023 PitchDox prize money, "Justice4Three," had its World Premiere screening.

Audience Choice Award winners were announced on Monday, October 21. The Overall Audience Choice Award, of which every film in the festival was eligible, went to documentary feature "Champions of the Golden Valley," directed by Ben Sturgulewski (United States). Among major studio special presentation offerings, "September 5" directed by Tim Fehlbaum from Paramount Pictures was voted the Narrative Special Presentation Audience Choice Award winner. "Blink" directed by Edmund Stenson and Daniel Roher from National Geographic Documentary Films received the Documentary Special Presentation Audience Choice Award. The Heartland International Film Festival attendees also voted on winners in the categories of Narrative, Documentary and Indiana Spotlight. 

There were two films that received both juried and audience prizes. "Zurawski v Texas" won the Richard D. Propes Documentary Social Impact Award ($2,000 Cash Prize) and the Documentary Audience Choice Award. As previously mentioned, "Green and Gold" won the Jimmy Stewart Legacy Award ($5,000 Cash Prize) and the Narrative Audience Choice Award.

Audiences still have time to be a part of one of the coolest film festivals in the world. Select award-winning titles will also be available to stream through Friday, October 25 at HeartlandFilmFestival.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 and other year-round programs. More information about the festivals and programming can be found at www.HeartlandFilm.org.

Over the years, the Heartland Film Pioneering Spirit Awards have honored individuals who have embodied Heartland Film's mission; those whose work has inspired conversation, ignited imagination, and shifted perspectives. The Pioneering Spirit: Lifetime Achievement Award celebrates the full career contributions of an individual. Recent honorees include Ann Dowd, Cloris Leachman, Michael Apted, Brian Dennehy, Rob Reiner, and now Craig T. Nelson. 

"Craig has left a definitive mark across the entertainment universe spanning blockbusters, television, and independent film," said Sorvig. "We are thrilled to recognize and honor his impactful contributions across our industry and to celebrate the world premiere of his new film 'Green and Gold' at HIFF."

The Pioneering Spirit Award honors individuals in the prime of their career. Recent past honorees include Colman Domingo, Ben Proudfoot, Matthew Modine, Katie and Ian Bignell.

"The projects Greg takes on and people he collaborates with are a testament that the personal and professional being are one," explained Sorvig in his award introduction. "From the Grand Prize-winning documentary 'Rising from Ashes' we had here at Heartland in 2012 and additional projects featured at our festivals, including 'Running with Beto,' 'Jockey,' 'Wildman,' and now 'Sing Sing,' Greg’s vision and artistry span many forms and genres but all share the same thread of passion and inspiration." 

It’s the lunch rush at The Grill in Manhattan, and money has gone missing from the till. All the undocumented cooks are being investigated, and Pedro is the prime suspect. He’s a dreamer, a troublemaker, and in love with Julia: an American waitress who cannot commit to a relationship. Rashid, The Grill ́s owner, has promised to help Pedro with his papers so he can “become legal." However, a shocking revelation about Julia compels Pedro to spiral into an act that will stop the production line of one of the city’s busiest kitchens once and for all.

Jury statement: "La Cocina" is an artful film that engages the viewer with gorgeous cinematography, compelling performances, and provocative themes. As multiple characters’ lives from wildly different backgrounds intertwine and clash at a bustling New York restaurant, the tension escalates to a cinematic crescendo unlike anything our panel had seen before. Though it wasn’t an easy decision with so many fantastic films in contention, ultimately Alonso Ruizpalacios' originality and outstanding ensemble cast earned our top spot. 

During Russia's invasion, three Ukranian artists, Anya, Andrey, and Slava, find inspiration as they defend their culture and country. As the war intensifies, Andrey picks up his camera to film their story – and on tiny porcelain figurines, Anya and Slava capture their idyllic past, uncertain present, and hope for the future.

Jury statement: The 2024 HIFF Documentary Grand Prize winner's use of art, animation, and authentic, real-time reflections on the real toll of the war in Ukraine is unforgettable and sets a standard for telling stories with grit and grace. Congratulations to "Porcelain War" on this achievement!

With American farms disappearing, a fourth-generation dairy farmer (Craig T. Nelson) and his granddaughter fight to preserve their way of life. Facing foreclosure, they wager everything on their beloved Green Bay Packers in a Hail-Mary effort to save their little chunk of dirt.

This award honors a film that best combines comedy and pathos to inspire filmmakers and audiences through the transformative power of cinema. 

Mismatched cousins David (Jesse Eisenberg) and Benji (Kieran Culkin) reunite for a tour through Poland to honor their beloved grandmother. The adventure takes a turn when the odd-couple's old tensions resurface against the backdrop of their family history. Winner of the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. Special presentation of Searchlight Pictures.

Gustavo idolizes his older brother Paco and his punk, "Frikis" bandmates. To survive the ongoing economic crisis, they do the unthinkable: deliberately inject themselves with HIV to live at a government-run treatment home. It's there that these teenagers create their own utopia full of joy, rock'n'roll and freedom.

Women denied abortions under Texas’s ambiguous and unforgiving abortion bans band together with a fearless attorney to sue Texas. While battling in court against the state and its immovable Attorney General, the extent of their traumatic experiences is revealed as they wrestle to regain their reproductive futures and set a precedent for millions of other women and families. "Zurawski v Texas" reveals the dire impact of losing access to healthcare and the extraordinary efforts of the women and men fighting on the frontline to regain those rights.

Oscar has dedicated his life to the well-being of his disabled son, Billy. When Oscar is diagnosed with cancer, he forges a plan to train his son the intricacies of bagging groceries in the hopes of landing Billy his first job and beginning a life of independence.

As the war wages on, Ukrainians under everyday threat find ways to live. A soldier returns home, a chaplain grapples with the weight of responsibility, and a mother grieves the loss of her family. These stories, amidst others, are a testament of Ukraine’s history, perseverance and plea to be remembered.

Ricky and his best friend Summer have their lives turned upside down when Ricky's older brother shows up unannounced after years away, tiggering a series of events that lead to Summer's disappearance. "Last Days of Summer" is a coming-of-age story about love, loss and generational trauma.

North Putnam depicts a year in the life of a rural Indiana school district and the community it serves. Crafted with empathy, the film aims to spark action-oriented conversations about the interdependence between public schools and community development.

After skiing sparks an unlikely joyful revolution in the high peaks of Afghanistan, the people of Bamyan must call upon the lessons learned on the slopes when they experience the collapse of their country.

"September 5" unveils the decisive moment that forever changed media coverage and continues to impact live news today. Set during the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics, the film follows an American Sports broadcasting team that quickly adapted from sports reporting to live coverage of the Israeli athletes taken hostage. Through this lens, "September 5" provides a fresh perspective on the live broadcast seen globally by an estimated one billion people at the time. Special presentation from Paramount Pictures.

After three of their children are diagnosed with an incurable eye condition, one family embarks on an epic journey to show them the beauty of the world before it vanishes for good. Special presentation from National Geographic Documentary Films. 

With American farms disappearing, a fourth-generation dairy farmer (Craig T. Nelson) and his granddaughter fight to preserve their way of life. Facing foreclosure, they wager everything on their beloved Green Bay Packers in a Hail Mary effort to save their little chunk of dirt. 

Women denied abortions under Texas’s ambiguous and unforgiving bans band together with a fearless attorney to sue Texas. Executive produced by Jennifer Lawrence, Justine Ciarrocchi, Hillary Clinton, Chelsea Clinton, and Johnny Webb.

In 1997, during their routine laundry night, best buds Kyle and Eric fall under a truth-telling spell that jeopardizes their dreams of starting a business together.

An epic documentary of cold capitalism versus simple human need, "The Waiting Game" follows a tiny not-for-profit's fight against the NBA as it delays and ignores payment to the ABA players who built so much of its value.

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 and 2024. The 7th Annual Indy Shorts International Film Festival ran July 23-28, 2024 and the 33rd Heartland International Film Festival took place from October 10-20, 2024. For more information, visit HeartlandFilm.org.

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