Who We Are

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. The films we select and exhibit – whether they inspire conversation, ignite imagination, or shift perspectives – all have one thing in common: they are entertaining films that do more than just entertain.

Entertaining

    films that do

more than

      entertain.

This year, we’re kicking off our 30th Anniversary celebrations with a new website, digital archives, brand refresh and Letterboxd HQ account! We can’t wait for you to see everything that we have in store for this historic year!

Vision: Heartland Film is the preeminent destination for connecting audiences and filmmakers to experience transformative film.

30th Anniversary

Heartland Film is celebrating its 30th Anniversary! We've grown from a four day event to an 11-day International film festival that brings in filmmakers and recognition from all of the world. 

Over the years, we presented $3.5 million in cash prize – 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 eight Oscar®-winning titles.

This year, we’re celebrating 30th Anniversary with a new website, digital archives, brand refresh and our Letterboxd HQ account that compiles lists of past films from every year of the festival and tells you where you can watch them today! Thirty never looked so good!

Advisory Council

Rewinding three decades of Heartland Film history.

Archives