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Before the Festival

Congratulations!

Congratulations on your acceptance into the 33rd Heartland International Film Festival! You are our most important VIP, so before #HIFF33 begins, here is a complete guide to having the best possible experience!

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Important Links

RESERVE TICKETS 

(NOTE: Due to our theaters having assigned seats, you need to reserve tickets to every film you see, including your own!)

Click here to Learn More.

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FILMMAKER & INDUSTRY DIRECTORY

(Full Contact List)

Click here to Learn More.

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TECH CHECK FORM

(Must be done 48 hours prior to screening)

Click here to Learn More.

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EVENTIVE HELP PAGE

(Virtual tech help and live chat support)

Click here to Learn More.

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ACCESSIBILITY OPTIONS

(How to make your film as accessible as possible)

Click here to Learn More.

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Social Media Tips

With 120+ films in our festival, it is nearly impossible for us to effectively showcase every film on our social platforms. But with your help, we can get the word out together! Help us help you! The more you post and tag, the more we can share, like and comment!

 

TIPS

  • Post: On Facebook, Instagram & Twitter/X about your screenings

    • ​Don't forget to post the link to your film from our ticketing website!

    • Posting about your virtual screening is a great opportunity to let your friends and family support you! 

  • Tag: @HeartlandFilm

  • Hashtags: #HIFF33 #ExpandYourUniverse

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CUSTOM GRAPHICS

  • We made custom #HIFF33 graphics for every film! Use these in your social posts to help promote your screening.

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SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLKIT

  • Pre-Made Posts: Our Social Media toolkit is simple to use. Just click post and festival graphics and the content will automatically be shared to your Facebook, Instagram or Twitter/X accounts.

  • Laurels: Below the pre-made posts are downloadable #HIFF33 laurels and logos. Add these to a still photo or your film poster.

  • Story Backgrounds: We've also created downloadable #HIFF33 Story Backgrounds you can incorporate into your own social posts.

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OTHER POST IDEAS

  • Pictures of you at #HIFF33 and #ExpandYourUniverse

  • Stories

  • Trailers

  • Interviews

  • Share Heartland Film Posts

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Community Outreach

We love connecting films with local community groups and non-profits that have a common focus. If you know an Indianapolis-based group that would be interested in your film, let us know! 

 

You can email your ideas to our Community Outreach & Education Manager, Abi Lindstedt, at alindstedt@heartlandfilm.org!

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Click here to Learn More about our Partners.

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Festival Guidebook

During the Festival
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Come Fest with Us! 

We want to meet you, celebrate your film and hang out! At the Heartland International Film Festival, we take great pride in our Hoosier Hospitality. If you travel to Indianapolis, you're sure to be met with smiling faces, new friends and unforgettable experiences. On top of having a blast and seeing your film on the big screen, here are some benefits to attending the festival in-person.

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  • Attendance is generally 10% higher for screenings with filmmakers attending.

  • Films with attending filmmakers will be listed at the top of our daily newsletter.

  • Filmmaker interview requests are sent to attending filmmakers first.

  • We host daily filmmaker, staff and industry networking opportunities.

  • Filmmakers are invited to all parties and special events.

  • Word of mouth is king! Being at the festival and talking about your film can impact the number of attendees that show up to your screening!  

  • One complimentary hotel night for filmmakers (dependent on availability). Email Evan at evernon@heartlandfilm.org for more information.

Filmmaker Check-In

Filmmaker badges will be available at the Living Room Theaters' Box Office to collect at the following dates/times:

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  • Thursday, Oct. 10: 6 - 7 PM at Newfields

  • Friday, Oct. 11: 2:30 - 9 PM at Living Room Theaters

  • Saturday, Oct. 12: 11:30 AM - 8:30 PM at Living Room Theaters

  • Sunday, Oct. 13: 11:45 AM - 8 PM at Living Room Theaters

  • Monday, Oct. 14: 4:30 - 8:15 PM at Living Room Theaters

  • Tuesday, Oct. 15: 4:30 - 8 PM at Living Room Theaters

  • Wednesday, Oct. 16: 4:30 - 8:15 PM at Living Room Theaters

  • Thursday, Oct. 17: 4:30 - 8:15 PM at Living Room Theaters

  • Friday, Oct. 18: 2:30 - 8:30 PM at Living Room Theaters

  • Saturday, Oct. 19: 11:30 AM - 8:30 PM at Living Room Theaters

  • Sunday, Oct. 20: 11:45 AM - 6:45 PM at Living Room Theaters
     

To check in for your Q&A, please follow the below procedures:

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Filmmakers participating in a Q&A and watching their film:

Check-in at the venue Box Office 30 minutes before your screening begins. Please note that you must reserve a ticket to watch your film. If you have not reserved a ticket, please do so ASAP.

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Filmmakers participating in a Q&A but not watching their film:

Check-in at the venue's Box Office at least 10 minutes before your program's screening ends.

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Filmmakers wishing to complete a tech check:

Check-in at the venue Box Office at least 1 hour before your screening begins — regardless of Q&A participation.

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Media Opportunities

Heartland Film will send multiple press releases out before and during the festival. These are general press releases to provide media event details and a list of all the films.

 

While our media outreach will focus on the overall festival promotion, feel free to reach out to media on your own too! We've provided a few media contacts below.

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Click here for Media Contacts.

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Photo Ops

We're rolling out the red carpet for you! We'll have both a red carpet and

step-and-repeat at each of our festival venues, so stop by to get your photo taken!

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More dates will be added to the photographer's schedule closer to the festival.

 

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10 | Opening Night

When: 5-6:30 PM

Where: The Tobias Theater at Newfields

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11 | Kick-Off Party

When: 7-9 PM

Where: Barnes & Thornburg

 

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12 | PitchDox

When: 3-4:30 PM

Where: Kan-Kan Cinema & Restaurant

 

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16 | Centerpiece Reception

When: 5-6 PM

Where: The Tobias Theater at Newfields

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17 | Filmmaker After Hours

When: 9-10 PM

Where: Pins Mechanical Co

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19 | Awards Presentation

When: 7:30-10 PM

Where: The Jazz Kitchen

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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20 | Closing Night

When: 5:30-6:30 PM

Where: The Tobias Theater at Newfields

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Filmmaker Special Events & After Hours

OPENING NIGHT

When: Thursday, October 10 at 6:30 PM (Carpet from 5:30 - 6:15 PM)

Where: The Tobias Theater at Newfields (4000 N Michigan Rd)

Perks: Walk the Red Carpet

Click here to RSVP

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KICK-OFF PARTY

PRESENTED BY MOVIEMAKER MAGAZINE

When: Friday, October 11 from 7 - 9 PM

WhereBarnes & Thornburg (11 S Meridian St)

Perks: Professional Portraits, Drink Tickets, Appetizers 

Click here to RSVP

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PITCHDOX MAIN EVENT

When: Saturday, October 12 from 3 - 4:30 PM

Where: Kan-Kan Cinema & Restaurant (1258 Windsor St)

Perks: Hear Live Film Pitches, Vote on Winners of a Cash Prize
Click here to RSVP

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FILMMAKER AFTER HOURS, DAY 1

When: Saturday, October 12 from 9 - 11 PM

Where: Sundry & Vice (850 Massachusetts Ave)

Perks: One Drink Ticket While Supplies Last

Details: FREE, No RSVP Required, 21+ Only

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FILMMAKER AFTER HOURS, DAY 2

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH IFJA

When: Sunday, October 13 from 9 - 11 PM

When: Pins Mechanical Co. (856 Carrollton Ave)

Perks: FREE HotBox Pizza, Duckpin Bowling

Details: FREE, No RSVP Required, 21+ Only

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FILMMAKER AFTER HOURS, DAY 3

When: Monday, October 14 from 9 - 11 PM

When: Pins Mechanical Co. (856 Carrollton Ave)

Perks: FREE HotBox Pizza, Duckpin Bowling

Details: FREE, No RSVP Required, 21+ Only

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FILMMAKER AFTER HOURS, DAY 4

When: Tuesday, October 15 from 9 - 11 PM

When: Pins Mechanical Co. (856 Carrollton Ave)

Perks: FREE HotBox Pizza, Duckpin Bowling

Details: FREE, No RSVP Required, 21+ Only

​FILMMAKER AFTER HOURS, DAY 5

When: Wednesday, October 16 from 9 - 11 PM

When: Pins Mechanical Co. (856 Carrollton Ave)

Perks: FREE HotBox Pizza, Duckpin Bowling

Details: FREE, No RSVP Required, 21+ Only

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FILMMAKER AFTER HOURS, DAY 6

When: Thursday, October 17 from 9 - 11 PM

When: Pins Mechanical Co. (856 Carrollton Ave)

Perks: FREE HotBox Pizza, Duckpin Bowling

Details: FREE, No RSVP Required, 21+ Only

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FILMMAKER AFTER HOURS, DAY 7

When: Friday, October 18 from 9 - 11 PM

Where: Sundry & Vice (850 Massachusetts Ave)

Perks: One Drink Ticket While Supplies Last

Details: FREE, No RSVP Required, 21+ Only

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FILMMAKER SPEED NETWORKING

When: Saturday, October 19  from 11 - 11:30 AM

Where: Living Room Theaters Bar

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AWARDS PRESENTATION

When: Saturday, October 19 from 7:30 - 10 PM (Presentation at 8:30 PM)

Where: The Jazz Kitchen (5377 N College Ave)

Perks: Appetizers & Drinks, Live Music, Dancing

Click here to RSVP

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FILMMAKER AFTER HOURS, DAY 8

When: Sunday, October 20 from 8 - 10 PM

When: Pins Mechanical Co. (856 Carrollton Ave)

Perks: FREE HotBox Pizza, Duckpin Bowling

Details: FREE, No RSVP Required, 21+ Only

Festival Info
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Venues

Emagine Noblesville (13825 Norell Rd, Noblesville IN)

For four nights, Emagine Noblesville captures the northern attendees and lights of #HIFF33. Don't like space? Have no fear - cuddle chairs built for two are available at this venue!

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Kan-Kan Cinema & Restaurant (1258 N Windsor St, Indianapolis, IN)

This independent arthouse cinema and restaurant has a new Japanese tavern-inspired menu and out-of-this-world specialty cocktails!​

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Landmark Glendale 12 (6102 N Rural St, Indianapolis, IN)

This theater is at the center of the #HIFF33 universe - just 15-20 minutes from almost every other festival venue!

 

Living Room Theaters (745 E 9th St, Suite 810, Indianapolis, IN)

Living Room Theaters is located in the new and vibrant Bottleworks District, right off Mass Ave! Between Pins Mechanical Co and the Garage Food Hall, there are plenty of places to hang out in between film screenings! Don't forget to ask concessions for a parking voucher before you go! They'll validate up to three hours of free parking in the Bottleworks Districtʼs gated lots.

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Newfields (4000 N Michigan Rd, Indianapolis, IN)

Newfields is home to the world-renowned Indianapolis Museum of Art, beautiful blooming gardens, and host to the Heartland International Film Festival. Show the front desk your HIFF 2024 ticket/badge and get free admission to the grounds!

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There is an astronomical amount of construction throughout downtown, so deploy early! Films start right on time with no previews.

Awards

Narrative Feature Grand Prize

$20,000 Grand Prize


Documentary Feature Grand Prize

$20,000 Grand Prize


Richard D. Propes Narrative Social Impact Award

$2,000 Cash Prize


Richard D. Propes Documentary Social Impact Award

$2,000 Cash Prize


Indiana Spotlight Narrative Award

$2,000 Cash Prize

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Indiana Spotlight Documentary Award

$2,000 Cash Prize

Jimmy Stewart Legacy Award

$5,000 Cash Prize


Humor & Humanity Award

$2,000 Cash Prize


Best Narrative Premiere Award

$2,500 Cash Prize


Best Documentary Premiere Award

$2,500 Cash Prize
 

Indiana Film Journalists Association Award

for Best Special Presentation

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Audience Choice Winners

Overall, Narrative, Documentary, Indiana Spotlight, Horror

Heartland Film Contacts

Programming:

Greg Sorvig

Artistic Director

gsorvig@heartlandfilm.org

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Hospitality:

Evan Vernon

Film Programming Coordinator

evernon@heartlandfilm.org

Print Traffic:

Jason Harris

Print Traffic Coordinator

printtraffic@heartlandfilm.org

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Box Office:

boxoffice@heartlandfilm.org

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