Welcome to #HIFF34!
Congratulations on your acceptance into the 34th Heartland International Film Festival! You are our most important VIP, so before #HIFF34 begins, here is a complete guide to having the best possible experience!
Important Links
RESERVE TICKETS WITH FILMMAKER PASS
(NOTE: Due to our theaters having assigned seats, you need to reserve tickets to every film you see, including your own!)
​
FILMMAKER & INDUSTRY DIRECTORY
​
TECH CHECK FORM
(Must be done 48 hours prior to screening)
​
EVENTIVE HELP PAGE
(Virtual tech help and live chat support)
​​
Social Media Tips
With 100+ 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: #HIFF34 #ConnectToWhatMatters
​
CUSTOM GRAPHICS
-
We made custom #HIFF34 graphics for every film! Use these in your social posts to help promote your screening.
​
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 #HIFF34 laurels and logos. Add these to a still photo or your film poster.
-
Story Backgrounds: We've also created downloadable #HIFF34 Story Backgrounds you can incorporate into your own social posts.
​
OTHER POST IDEAS
-
Pictures of you at #HIFF34 and #ConnectToWhatMatters
-
Stories
-
Trailers
-
Interviews
-
Share Heartland Film Posts
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!​
Festival Guidebook
Come Fest with Us!
We want to meet you, celebrate your film and hang out! At 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.
​
-
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 Sam at sopsahl@heartlandfilm.org for more information.
Filmmaker Check-In
Filmmaker badges will be available to collect at the festival Box Office during the following dates/times:
​​
-
Thursday, October 9 | 4 (Newfields)/5:30 (Alamo) - 8 PM
-
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema & Newfields
-
-
Friday, October 10 | 4 - 8 PM
-
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema & Living Room Theaters
-
-
Saturday, October 11 | 12 - 8 PM
-
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema & Living Room Theaters
-
-
Sunday October, 12 | 12 - 8 PM
-
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema & Living Room Theaters​
-
-
Monday, October 13 | 4 - 8 PM
-
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema & Living Room Theaters
-
-
Tuesday, October 14 | 4 - 8 PM
-
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema & Living Room Theaters
-
-
Wednesday, October 15 | 4 - 8 PM
-
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema & Living Room Theaters
-
-
Thursday, October 16 | 4 - 8 PM
-
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema & Living Room Theaters
-
-
Friday, October 17 | 4 - 8 PM
-
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema & Living Room Theaters
-
-
Saturday, October 18 | 12 - 8 PM
-
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema & Living Room Theaters
-
-
Sunday, October 19 | 12 - 8 PM
-
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema & Living Room Theaters
-
​
To check in for your Q&A, please follow the below procedures:
​
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.
​
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.
​
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.
Filmmaker Lounge
Presented by 12 Stars Media
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema have graciously allowed us to use one of their theaters as a filmmaker lounge for the entirety of the festival!
Thanks to 12 Stars Media, the theater will be available to you as a space to get some work done, take a breather, snag some snacks and enjoy some lo-fi beats. It will also be the site of our two weekend filmmaker mixers!
The lounge will be open whenever Alamo's filmmaker check-in desk is open, so make sure to stop by from 4-8 PM on weekdays and 12-8 PM on weekends.
PLEASE NOTE: The filmmaker lounge will have different hours on Thursday, October 9 (5:30 - 7:30 PM). It will also be closed on Tuesday, October 14 and Thursday, October 16. We apologize for this inconvenience. We encourage you to use the public Hot Rod Lounge at Alamo Drafthouse instead that day.
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.
​
Photo Ops
We're rolling out the red carpet for you! We'll have both a red carpet and
step-and-repeat at all of our festival venues, so stop by to get your photo taken!
​
More dates will be added to the photographer's schedule closer to the festival.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9 | Opening Night
When: 5:30 - 6:30 PM
Where: The Tobias Theater at Newfields
​​​
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18 | Awards Party
When: 7:30 - 9:30 PM
Where: The Jazz Kitchen​​
Filmmaker Special Events & After Hours
OPENING NIGHT - "RENTAL FAMILY"
PRESENTED BY THE KLAPPER FAMILY FOUNDATION
When: Thursday, October 9 (Red Carpet from 5:30-6:15 PM, Film at 6:30 PM)
Where: The Tobias Theater at Newfields
Details: Ticket Required (Free for Filmmakers)
​
FILMMAKER AFTER HOURS - DAY 1
When: Thursday, October 9 from 9 - 11 PM
Where: Alamo Drafthouse Cinema at the Square (3898 Lafayette Rd)
Perks: In-House Catering/Service
Details: FREE, No RSVP Required​​
​
KICK-OFF PARTY
PRESENTED BY MOVIEMAKER MAGAZINE
When: Friday, October 10 from 7 - 9 PM
Where: Turntable (6281 N College Ave)
Price: RSVP Required (Free for Filmmakers)
​​​
FILMMAKER AFTER HOURS - DAY 2
When: Friday, October 10 from 9 - 11 PM
Where: Pivot Bar - Hyatt (130 S Pennsylvania St)
Perks: In-House Catering/Service
Details: FREE, No RSVP Required, 21+ Only
Click here to RS
FILMMAKER AFTER HOURS - DAY 3
When: Saturday, October 11 from 9 - 11 PM
Where: Sundry & Vice (850 Massachusetts Ave)
Perks: FREE HotBox Pizza
Details: FREE, No RSVP Required, 21+ Only​
​​​
FILMMAKER MIXER 1
When: Sunday, October 12 from 12:30 - 2:30 PM
Where: Alamo Drafthouse Cinema at the Square (3898 Lafayette Rd)
Price: RSVP Required (Free for Filmmakers)
​
FILMMAKER AFTER HOURS - DAY 4
When: Sunday, October 12 from 9 - 11 PM
Where: Alamo Drafthouse Cinema at the Square (3898 Lafayette Rd)
Perks: In-House Catering/Service
Details: FREE, No RSVP Required
​
FILMMAKER AFTER HOURS - DAY 5
When: Monday, October 13 from 9 - 11 PM
Where: Pins Mechanical Co. (856 Carrollton Ave)
Perks: FREE HotBox Pizza, Duckpin Bowling
Details: FREE, No RSVP Required, 21+ Only
​​
FILMMAKER AFTER HOURS - DAY 6
When: Tuesday, October 14 from 9 - 11 PM
Where: Pins Mechanical Co. (856 Carrollton Ave)
Perks: FREE HotBox Pizza, Duckpin Bowling
Details: FREE, No RSVP Required, 21+ Only
​
​CENTERPIECE SCREENING - "TRAIN DREAMS"
PRESENTED BY INDYSTAR | LOCALiQ
When: Wednesday, October 15 (Doors at 6 PM, Film at 6:30 PM)
Where: The Tobias Theater at Newfields
Details: Ticket Required (Free for Filmmakers)
FILMMAKER AFTER HOURS - DAY 7
When: Wednesday, October 15 from 9 - 11 PM
Where: Pins Mechanical Co. (856 Carrollton Ave)
Perks: FREE HotBox Pizza, Duckpin Bowling
Details: FREE, No RSVP Required, 21+ Only
​
​​​​FILMMAKER AFTER HOURS - DAY 8
When: Thursday, October 16 from 9 - 11 PM
Where: Pins Mechanical Co. (856 Carrollton Ave)
Perks: FREE HotBox Pizza, Duckpin Bowling
Details: FREE, No RSVP Required, 21+ Only
​
​FILMMAKER AFTER HOURS - DAY 9
When: Friday, October 17 from 9 - 11 PM
Where: Sundry & Vice (850 Massachusetts Ave)
Perks: FREE HotBox Pizza
Details: FREE, No RSVP Required, 21+ Only
​​
FILMMAKER MIXER 2
When: Saturday, October 18 from 12:30 - 2:30 PM
Where: Alamo Drafthouse Cinema at the Square (3898 Lafayette Rd)
Price: RSVP Required (Free for Filmmakers)
​
PITCHDOX MAIN EVENT
PRESENTED BY HOODOX
When: Saturday, October 18 from 4 PM - 5:30 PM
Where: Kan-Kan Cinema (1258 Windsor St)
Details: Free, RSVP Required
​
​AWARDS PARTY
When: Saturday, October 18
Doors Open at 7:30 PM
Presentation Begins at 8:30 PM
Music & Dancing from 9:15 - 10 PM
Where: The Jazz Kitchen (5377 N College Ave)
Details: Ticket Required (Free for Filmmakers)
​
CLOSING NIGHT - "NUREMBERG"
PRESENTED BY THE KLAPPER FAMILY FOUNDATION
When: Sunday, October 19 (Doors at 5 PM, Film at 5:30 PM)
Where: The Tobias Theater at Newfields
Details: Ticket Required (Free for Filmmakers)
​
FILMMAKER AFTER HOURS - DAY 11
When: Sunday, October 19 from 9 - 11 PM
Where: Alamo Drafthouse Cinema at the Square (3898 Lafayette Rd)
Perks: In-House Catering/Service
Details: FREE, No RSVP Required
Venues
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema at the Square (3898 Lafayette Rd, Indianapolis, IN)
Experience the brand new Alamo Drafthouse Cinema for yourself! There's plenty to browse with their local food, six popcorn flavors, craft drinks, and heated seats!
​
Indy Art Center (820 E 67th St, Indianapolis, IN)
Located in Broad Ripple along the White River, Indy Art Center is a new addition to the fall festival. This is a great opportunity to explore their theater, which has undergone a complete reboot!
​
Kan-Kan Cinema & Bar (1258 Windsor St, Indianapolis, IN)
The Kan-Kan Cinema is a space synonymous with linking people together through the love of film. Indy's nonprofit arthouse cinema is back for the last five days of #HIFF34!
AAfdjsifks
Living Room Theaters (745 E 9th St, Suite 810, Indianapolis, IN)
Living Room Theaters is located in the renowned Bottleworks District, right off Mass Ave! You'll easily disconnect from reality within their reclining seats and delicious drinks! 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 and garage.
​​
Newfields (4000 N Michigan Rd, Indianapolis, IN)
Zoom over to the Tobias Theater at Newfields for some of the most anticipated screenings at #HIFF34 including Opening Night, Centerpiece, and Closing Night screenings!​
​​
Awards
Narrative Feature Grand Prize
$20,000 Grand Prize
Documentary Feature Grand Prize
$20,000 Grand Prize
Jimmy Stewart Legacy Award
$5,000 Cash Prize
​​
Best Narrative Premiere Award
$2,500 Cash Prize
​
Best Documentary Premiere Award
$2,500 Cash Prize
​​​​​
Richard D. Propes Narrative Social Impact Award
$2,000 Cash Prize
​
Richard D. Propes Documentary Social Impact Award
$2,000 Cash Prize
​
Hoodox Indiana Spotlight Award
$2,000 Cash Prize
Humor & Humanity Award
$2,000 Cash Prize
​
​Audience Choice Awards
$500 Cash Prize each
Categories: OOverall, Narrative, Documentary, Indiana Spotlight, Narrative Special Presentation, Documentary Special Presentation
Heartland Film Contacts
Programming:
Greg Sorvig
Artistic Director
​
Hospitality:
Sam Opsahl
Film Programming Coordinator
Print Traffic:
Jason Harris
Print Traffic Coordinator
printtraffic@heartlandfilm.org
​
Box Office: