The 15th Annual Heartland Film Festival took place October 19-27, 2006, and screened 17 films at AMC Theatres Castleton Square, AMC Theatres Greenwood Park, and the Indiana History Center. The theme for the festival was: Fifteen years of passion. Fifteen years of popcorn.  

Producer Debra Allen Chase attended the Festival and was honored with the Pioneering Spirit Award. Other special guests include Michael Apted (Director, Amazing Grace), Cary Granat (President, Walden Media), Ken Wales (Producer, Amazing Grace), Consolata Boyle (Costume Design, The Queen), Catherine Hardwicke (Director, Nativity!), Steve Gaydos (Executive Producer, Feature, Variety), Lee Meriwether (Actor), Jon Voight (Actor), Dick Ebersol (NBC Sports Executive), Susan Saint James (Actor), and Patrick Dempsey (Actor).