The 12th Annual Heartland Film Festival took place October 16-24, 2003, and hosted screenings at the AMC Theatres Castleton Square, AMC Theatres Greenwood Park, and the Indiana History Center. The theme for the festival was: What moves you?

Dick Cook, Chairman of Disney Studios, attended the Festival and was honored with the Pioneering Spirit Award Winner, and Don Hahn (Producer, Lion King) was presented with a special Crystal Heart Award. Other special guests included David Ogden Stiers (Actor), LeVar Burton (Director, Blizzard), Ralph Winter (Producer, Blizzard), Barbara Billingsley (Actor), Charlie Robinson (Actor), Beth Polson (Producer, Secret Santa), Jamie Redford (Director, Spin), Steve Rothenberg (President of Distribution, Lionsgate), Lee Hirsch (Filmmaker, TMPA Winner Amandla!), and Academy Award®-winning editor, Chuck Workman was a workshop partner.