The 22nd annual Heartland Film Festival taking place October 17 to 26, 2013 in Indianapolis, Indiana, announced its four Grand Prize Awards. HIDE YOUR SMILING FACES directed by Daniel Patrick Carbone received the award for Best Narrative Feature Film and THE NETWORK directed by Eva Orner received the award for Best Documentary Feature. In addition actress Vanessa Hudgens received the Pioneering Spirit: Rising Star Award for her role in GIMME SHELTER, the Festival’s Opening Night Event film that held its world premiere at the festival.
Narrative Feature
HIDE YOUR SMILING FACES
Directed by Daniel Patrick Carbone
While exploring their Northeastern environment, two young boys discover the dead body of one of their friends under a bridge. Even though there doesn’t seem to be any evidence of foul play, the event ripples under the surface of their town, unsettling the brothers and their friends in ways they can’t fully understand. Once-familiar interactions begin to take on a macabre tone in light of the tragic accident, leading Eric and Tommy to retreat into their wild surroundings. They face opposition from different forces in their town, including the father of their friend, as they struggle to come to terms with what happened and how this correlates with the existing paradigm of nature. As the two brothers vocally face the questions they have about mortality, they simultaneously hold their own silent debates within their minds that build into seemingly insurmountable moral peaks.
Documentary Features
THE NETWORK
Directed by Eva Orner
This is the story of the first independent television network, TOLO TV, in one of the most unstable and dangerous places on earth, Afghanistan. In 2002, Kabul was emerging from five years of Taliban terror. Under the Taliban, all forms of media except the state-run radio station had been outlawed. Wanting to help rebuild their country, the Mohseni family returns from exile in Australia, passionate about giving the Afghan people a voice that had been taken away from them for so long. They knew nothing about the media, but they knew how to run a successful business. The result is Afghanistan’s largest and most successful television network employing over 800 Afghans producing news, current affairs, drama, comedy, music and lifestyle programs.
This was not and is not an easy process. Expats are brought in to teach the Afghans the myriad details of running a television network and find themselves, in spite of the serious dangers, enamored of the Afghans; their optimism and how, really, they just want the same basic things we do. Women, despite cultural and familial pressures, risk their lives and reputations to work alongside the men at TOLO TV. You’ll find yourself completely taken in by this most unlikely subject, fascinated by the unusual challenges faced by the upstart television network. Finally, it’s a chance to see Afghanistan and its people as something other than a war-torn nation.
Narrative Short
THE AMBER AMULET
Directed by Matthew Moore
The Masked Avenger can make things happen. Though at 10 he is considered young for a justice fighter he has already proved himself highly effective in the pursuit of peace. He has discovered powers that are locked inside gems and minerals and uses them to keep Franklin Street safe. But something is wrong in the house at the end of the street. There is a woman in trouble. When The Masked Avenger leaves a ‘happiness questionnaire’ in her letterbox a series of events are set in motion that no one could predict. This is the story of a superhero, a beagle, an amber amulet and the potential that is locked inside all of us.
Documentary Short
WRINKLES OF THE CITY – LA HAVANA
Directed by José Parlá and J.R.
In 2012, the French artist JR collaborated with Cuban-American artist Jose Parla for the Havana Biennale. Through JR’s pasting and Jose’s painting, they created murals to tell the stories of 25 senior citizens who lived through the Cuban revolution.
High School Film Competition
UPROOTED
Directed by Carol Nguyen
Everyone has an origin story. It is important to know your history because it is part of your identity and reveals where you came from. ‘Uprooted’ is a personal retell of my father’s escape from Vietnam. His story displays the powerful strength of the human will and illustrates how we should enjoy the little things in life.
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