Congratulations!
Congratulations on your acceptance into the 2023 Heartland International Film Festival! You are our most important VIP, so before #HIFF32 begins, here is a complete guide to having the best possible experience!

Important Links
Filmmaker & Industry Directory:
(Contact list)
Tech Check Form:
(Must be done 48 hours prior to screening)
Eventive Help Page:
(Virtual tech help and live chat support)
Accessibility:
(How to make your film as accessible as possible)
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:
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Post on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter/X about your screenings and film.
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Tag: @HeartlandFilm
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Hashtags: #HIFF32 #YouCantLookAway
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Don't forget to post the link to your film from our ticketing website!
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Posting about your virtual screening is a great opportunity to let your friends and family support you!
Custom Graphic:
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We made custom #HIFF32 graphics for every film! Use these in your social posts to help promote your screening.
Social Media Toolkit:
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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.
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Laurels - Below the pre-made posts are downloadable #HIFF32 laurels and logos. Add these to a still photo or your film poster.
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Story Background - We've also created downloadable #HIFF32 Story Backgrounds you can incorporate into your own social posts.
Other Post Ideas:
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Pictures of you at #HIFF32 and #YouCantLookAway
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Stories
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Trailers
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Interviews
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Share Heartland Film Posts
CUSTOM
GRAPHICS
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 Abi Lindstedt at alindstedt@heartlandfilm.org
MEET OUR
PARTNERS
Festival Guidebook


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 an unforgettable experience. On top of just 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.
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Films with attending filmmakers will be listed at the top of our daily newsletter.
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Filmmaker interview requests are sent to attending filmmakers first.
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We host daily filmmaker, staff and industry networking opportunities.
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Filmmakers are invited to all parties and special events.
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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!
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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 Newfields' Box Office to collect at the following dates/times:
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Thursday, October 5 | 6-7 PM
Filmmaker badges will be available at the Living Room Theaters' Box Office to collect at the following dates/times:
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Friday, October 6 | 2:15-9 PM
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Saturday, October 7 | 11:30 AM-8:15 PM
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Sunday, October 8 | 11:30 AM-8:15 PM
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Monday, October 9 | 2:30-8:15 PM
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Tuesday, October 10 | 11 AM-8:30 PM
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Wednesday, October 11 | 2:15-8:30 PM
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Thursday, October 12 | 2-8:30 PM
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Friday, October 13 | 11:30 AM-8:15 PM
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Saturday, October 14 | 11:30 AM-8:15 PM
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Sunday, October 15 | 11:30 AM-6:30 PM
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 Box Office at least 10 minutes before your screening ends.
Filmmakers wishing to complete a tech check:
Check-in at the venue Box Office 1 hour before your screening begins — regardless of Q&A participation.
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Capturing Media
Heartland Film will send out multiple press releases leading up to 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 as well as some contacts to publicists. This is just a list of publicists who have reached out to Heartland Film, and we encourage you to reach out to them to ensure they meet your needs before hiring.
MEDIA
CONTACTS
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 make sure to stop by and get your photo taken!
Official Photographer's Schedule
Thursday, October 5
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Opening Night | 6 - 7 PM | Newfields
Friday, October 6
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Kick-Off Party | 6:30 - 10 PM | Living Room Theaters
Saturday, October 7
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Screenings | 3 - 4 PM | Newfields
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PitchDox | 5 - 6 PM | Kan-Kan Cinema & Restaurant
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Screenings | 6:30 - 8 PM | Glendale
Sunday, October 8
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Family Fun Day | 3 - 5 PM | Fort Ben Cultural Campus
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Screenings | 6:30 - 8 PM | Living Room Theaters
Tuesday, October 10
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Screenings | 6:30 - 8 PM | Kan-Kan Cinema & Restaurant
Wednesday, October 11
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Sponsor Party | 5:30 - 7 PM | Newfields
Thursday, October 12
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Screenings | 6 - 7 PM | Newfields
Saturday, October 14
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Speed Networking | 11 AM - 12 PM | Hotel Indy
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Screenings | 1 - 4 PM | Emagine Noblesville
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Awards Celebration | 8 - 10 PM | The Jazz Kitchen
Sunday, October 15
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Screenings | 1:30-4:30 PM| Emagine Noblesville
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Closing Night | 5:30 - 6 PM | Newfields
AES Building on the Monument Circle will be lit up in honor of #HIFF32 on October 7, 8 & 9! This is an amazing photo opportunity, and we encourage you to check it out one of those nights! (1 Monument Cir, Indianapolis, IN)

Filmmaker Special Events & After Hours
Opening Night: The Lionheart
Thursday, October 5
Red Carpet at 6 PM, Event at 7 PM
Newfields Toby Theater | 4000 N Michigan Rd
Perks: Walk the red carpet
Kick-Off Party Presented MovieMaker Magazine
Friday, October 6 from 7 - 9 PM
Living Room Theaters Lounge | 745 E 9th St
Perks: Drink tickets, appetizers & live entertainment
Pitchdox Reception
Saturday, October 7 at 5:30 PM
Kan Kan Cinema | 1258 Windsor St
Perks: Hear live documentary film pitches, the chance to vote on the winners of a cash prize
Filmmaker After Hours
Saturday, October 7 from 9:30 - 11:30 PM
Sundry & Vice
850 Massachusetts Ave
Perks: One drink ticket while supplies last
Filmmaker After Hours
Sunday, October 8 from 9:30 - 11:30 PM
Pins Mechanical Co.
856 Carrollton Ave
Perks: Free HotBox Pizza and bowling
Filmmaker After Hours
Monday, October 9 from 9:30 - 11:30 PM
Pins Mechanical Co.
856 Carrollton Ave
Perks: Free HotBox Pizza and bowling
Filmmaker After Hours
Tuesday, October 10 from 9:30 - 11:30 PM
Pins Mechanical Co.
856 Carrollton Ave
Perks: Free HotBox Pizza and bowling
Sponsor Party
Tuesday, October 11 from 5 - 7 PM
Newfields Toby Theater | 4000 N Michigan Rd
Perks: Free drinks & appetizers
Filmmaker After Hours
Wednesday, October 11 from 9:30 - 11:30 PM
Pins Mechanical Co.
856 Carrollton Ave
Perks: Free HotBox Pizza and bowling
Filmmaker After Hours
Thursday, October 12 from 9:30 - 11:30 PM
Pins Mechanical Co.
856 Carrollton Ave
Perks: Free HotBox Pizza and bowling
Filmmaker After Hours
Friday, October 13 from 9:30 - 11:30 PM
Sundry & Vice
850 Massachusetts Ave
Perks: One drink ticket while supplies last
Filmmaker Speed Networking
Saturday, October 14 from 11 - 12:30 PM
Hyatt Hotel
Perks: Free coffee and snacks
Awards Celebration
Saturday, October 14 from 7:30 - 10 PM
The Jazz Kitchen| 5377 N College Ave
Perks: Free drinks, appetizers, live music and dancing
Note, the event will look like it is sold out. If you're logged into your Eventive Account, you'll be able to still claim tickets.
Closing Night: The Holdovers
Sunday, October 15
Film Starts at 6 PM
Newfields Toby Theater | 4000 N Michigan Rd
Filmmaker After Hours
Sunday, October 15 from 8 - 10 PM
Pins Mechanical Co. | 856 Carrollton Ave
Perks: Free HotBox Pizza & bowling
GENERAL PERK: Newfields + Grounds
Explore the beautiful museum and grounds of Newfields! Show your ticket to that day's HIFF screening at the box office to receive free general admission to the museum!

Venues
Emagine Noblesville (13825 Norell Rd, Noblesville, IN)
Northsiders rejoice! #HIFF32 will be at the newly renovated Emagine Theater in Noblesville for four nights.
Fort Ben Cultural Campus (8950 Otis Ave, Indianapolis, IN)
Family Fun Day will be hosted at the Fort Ben Cultural Campus located right behind Heartland Film's new headquarters. This event will take place on Sunday, October 8, and include a screening, carnival games and free HotBox pizza!
Kan-Kan Cinema & Restaurant (1258 Windsor St, Indianapolis, IN)
The independent, locally grown, not-for-profit arthouse cinema offers world-class film, food and cocktails.
Landmark Glendale 12 (6102 N Rural St, Indianapolis, IN)
A new addition to last year’s festival, Landmark Glendale 12 is back by popular demand.
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!
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 32nd Heartland International Film Festival! Show the front desk your HIFF32 ticket/badge and get free admission to the grounds!
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 Award
$2,000 Cash Prize
Horror Award
$2,000 Cash Prizeee
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
Audience Choice Winners
Overall, Narrative, Documentary, Indiana Spotlight, Horror