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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(April 20, 2026) - Heartland Film's signature fundraising event, Cinemania presented by F.A. Wilhelm Construction Co., returned for year three on Friday, April 17, at The Crane Bay Event Center (551 W Merrill St, Indianapolis, IN 46225). The 2026 theme, "A Tribute to Westerns," was inspired by classic tales such as "The Magnificent Seven," "Wild Wild West" and "The Harder They Fall." The immersive sold-out event included saloon sips, rustic feasts, boot-stomping entertainment and yeehaw-worthy surprises.
View the 2026 Cinemania photos here.
Attendees were greeted on the Ranch Runway by IndyNow Co-Hosts Jillian Deam and Ryan Ahlwardt, alongside Fox59 Chief Meteorologist Brian Wilkes and CBS 4 Meteorologist Krista McEnany.
The Western theme came to life with unique activations, including a mechanical bull, slingshot game, cowboy hat customization station, as well as beer-serving mini horses and custom WANTED signs! Fundraising opportunities included a Silent Auction Showdown, Saloon Prize Packs and Gold Rush Panning for a gold diamond necklace.
View the 2026 Cinemania recap video here.
Clayton Anderson was Cinemania's MC, and the night was headlined by Neon Country Rewind. Entertainment also included music from DJ Lockstar, welcome music from Davey Allen and The Midnights and line dancing lessons from Boot Scootin' Cowboy J.
Lynda Goeke-Katz & Don Katz were the 2026 Cinemania Honorary Chairs, and Kristi Lee was the Committee Chair. The 2026 Cinemania Committee included Kelly Alexiou, Charla Booth, Terry Bowdell, Beth Breymier, Heather Brogden, Brayton Dewey, Michael Durr, Cori Korn, Fred Lockett, Amy Pauszek, Lisa Breall, Christopher Schneider, Ben Shine and Neelu Sondhi.
A very special thank you to the Phil and Colleen Kenney. Thanks to their significant contribution, F.A. Wilhelm Construction Co. will remain the Cinemania Marquee Sponsor for the next ten years. Cinemania will return with a new theme on Friday, April 16, 2027.
Since 1991, Heartland Film's mission has been to curate, promote and celebrate thoughtful and engaging films. Cinemania supports the non-profit arts organization's film festivals, community events and education program. Through sponsors, donations, ticket sales and event activations, Heartland Film raised over $700,000 from 2024 through 2026. You can learn more about Heartland Film and Cinemania at HeartlandFilm.org.
About Heartland Film, Inc.
Heartland Film is a nonprofit arts organization that runs the 11-day Heartland Film Festival in October, the Academy Award®-Qualifying Indy Shorts 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. Over the years, Heartland Film has presented $4 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 13 Oscar®-winning short film titles. MovieMaker Magazine named both the Indy Shorts and Heartland Film Festival on the top 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World list for 2023, 2024 and 2025. Heartland Film Festival was ranked the #1 Best Film Festival by the USA TODAY 2026 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards. The 9th Annual Indy Shorts Film Festival is scheduled for July 21-26, 2026 and the 35th Heartland Film Festival will run October 8-18, 2026. For more information, visit www.HeartlandFilm.org.
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