“La Cocina” directed by Alonso Ruizpalacios won the $20,000 Narrative Feature Grand Prize and “Porcelain War” directed by Brendan Bellomo and Slava Leontyev won the $20,000 Documentary Feature Grand Prize at the 33rd Heartland International Film Festival (HIFF).

The Overall Audience Choice Award went to documentary feature “Champions of the Golden Valley,” directed by Ben Sturgulewski (United States). “September 5” directed by Tim Fehlbaum was voted the Narrative Special Presentation Audience Choice Award winner and “Blink” directed by Edmund Stenson and Daniel Roher received the Documentary Special Presentation Audience Choice Award.

There were two films that received both juried and audience prizes. “Zurawski v Texas” won the Richard D. Propes Documentary Social Impact Award ($2,000 Cash Prize) and the Documentary Audience Choice Award. “Green and Gold” won the Jimmy Stewart Legacy Award ($5,000 Cash Prize) and the Narrative Audience Choice Award.

HIFF kicked off with a sold-out screening of the Opening Night film “A Real Pain” from Searchlight Pictures, which went on to win the Humor & Humanity Award and $2,000 Cash Prize.

“We’re honored to recognize these incredible filmmakers’ work at the Heartland International Film Festival Awards Presentation,” said Artistic Director Greg Sorvig. “These films connected with the jury members and have expanded our audience’s universes.”

HIFF hosted the 2nd Annual PitchDox Main Event presented by Hoodox where five local documentary filmmakers presented their project idea to a live audience for a chance to receive $10,000 to complete their film. The $10,000 prize went to “Bloom” produced by Malakai Tyne Bisel, Victoria Britton and Derek Hockemeyer. This film will tell the story of super gardener Alex Babich and his quest to grow America’s tallest sunflower, all while balancing the needs of his family and the challenges of nature. Following the PitchDox Main Event, the recipient of the 2023 PitchDox prize money, “Justice4Three,” had its World Premiere screening.

2024 HEARTLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL AWARD WINNERS

Pioneering Spirit: Lifetime Achievement Award
Craig T. Nelson

Pioneering Spirit Award
Greg Kwedar

Narrative Grand Prize ($20,000 Grand Prize)

“La Cocina,” directed by Alonso Ruizpalacios (Mexico & USA)
It’s the lunch rush at The Grill in Manhattan, and money has gone missing from the till. All the undocumented cooks are being investigated, and Pedro is the prime suspect. He’s a dreamer, a troublemaker, and in love with Julia: an American waitress who cannot commit to a relationship. Rashid, The Grill ́s owner, has promised to help Pedro with his papers so he can “become legal.” However, a shocking revelation about Julia compels Pedro to spiral into an act that will stop the production line of one of the city’s busiest kitchens once and for all.

Jury statement: “La Cocina” is an artful film that engages the viewer with gorgeous cinematography, compelling performances, and provocative themes. As multiple characters’ lives from wildly different backgrounds intertwine and clash at a bustling New York restaurant, the tension escalates to a cinematic crescendo unlike anything our panel had seen before. Though it wasn’t an easy decision with so many fantastic films in contention, ultimately Alonso Ruizpalacios’ originality and outstanding ensemble cast earned our top spot.

Documentary Grand Prize ($20,000 Grand Prize)

“Porcelain War,” directed by Brendan Bellomo and Slava Leontyev (Australia, USA, Ukraine)
During Russia’s invasion, three Ukranian artists, Anya, Andrey, and Slava, find inspiration as they defend their culture and country. As the war intensifies, Andrey picks up his camera to film their story – and on tiny porcelain figurines, Anya and Slava capture their idyllic past, uncertain present, and hope for the future.

Jury statement: The 2024 HIFF Documentary Grand Prize winner’s use of art, animation, and authentic, real-time reflections on the real toll of the war in Ukraine is unforgettable and sets a standard for telling stories with grit and grace. Congratulations to “Porcelain War” on this achievement!

Jimmy Stewart Legacy Award ($5,000 Cash Prize)

“Green and Gold,” directed by Anders Lindwall (USA)
With American farms disappearing, a fourth-generation dairy farmer (Craig T. Nelson) and his granddaughter fight to preserve their way of life. Facing foreclosure, they wager everything on their beloved Green Bay Packers in a Hail-Mary effort to save their little chunk of dirt.

Humor & Humanity Award ($2,000 Cash Prize)

“A Real Pain,” directed by Jesse Eisenberg (USA & Poland)
Mismatched cousins David (Jesse Eisenberg) and Benji (Kieran Culkin) reunite for a tour through Poland to honor their beloved grandmother. The adventure takes a turn when the odd-couple’s old tensions resurface against the backdrop of their family history. Winner of the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. Special presentation of Searchlight Pictures.

This award honors a film that best combines comedy and pathos to inspire filmmakers and audiences through the transformative power of cinema.

Richard D. Propes Narrative Social Impact Award ($2,000 Cash Prize)

“LOS FRIKIS” directed by Michael Schwartz and Tyler Nilson (USA & Dominican Republic)
Gustavo idolizes his older brother Paco and his punk, “Frikis” bandmates. To survive the ongoing economic crisis, they do the unthinkable: deliberately inject themselves with HIV to live at a government-run treatment home. It’s there that these teenagers create their own utopia full of joy, rock’n’roll and freedom.

Richard D. Propes Documentary Social Impact Award ($2,000 Cash Prize)

“Zurawski v Texas,” directed by Maisie Crow and Abbie Perrault (USA)
Women denied abortions under Texas’s ambiguous and unforgiving abortion bans band together with a fearless attorney to sue Texas. While battling in court against the state and its immovable Attorney General, the extent of their traumatic experiences is revealed as they wrestle to regain their reproductive futures and set a precedent for millions of other women and families. “Zurawski v Texas” reveals the dire impact of losing access to healthcare and the extraordinary efforts of the women and men fighting on the frontline to regain those rights.

Best Narrative Premiere Award ($2,500 Cash Prize)

“The Paper Bag Plan,” directed by Anthony Lucero (USA)
Oscar has dedicated his life to the well-being of his disabled son, Billy. When Oscar is diagnosed with cancer, he forges a plan to train his son the intricacies of bagging groceries in the hopes of landing Billy his first job and beginning a life of independence.

Best Documentary Premiere Award ($2,500 Cash Prize)

“Testament (Заповіт)” directed by Benjamin Tiede and Patrick Marsh (Ukraine, USA, France)
As the war wages on, Ukrainians under everyday threat find ways to live. A soldier returns home, a chaplain grapples with the weight of responsibility, and a mother grieves the loss of her family. These stories, amidst others, are a testament of Ukraine’s history, perseverance and plea to be remembered.

Indiana Spotlight Narrative Award ($2,000 Cash Prize)

“Last Days of Summer,” directed by Alex Rodgers (USA)
Ricky and his best friend Summer have their lives turned upside down when Ricky’s older brother shows up unannounced after years away, tiggering a series of events that lead to Summer’s disappearance. “Last Days of Summer” is a coming-of-age story about love, loss and generational trauma.

Indiana Spotlight Documentary Award ($2,000 Cash Prize)

“North Putnam,” directed by Joel Fendelman (USA)
North Putnam depicts a year in the life of a rural Indiana school district and the community it serves. Crafted with empathy, the film aims to spark action-oriented conversations about the interdependence between public schools and community development.

Overall Audience Choice Award Winner

“Champions of the Golden Valley,” directed by Ben Sturgulewski (United States)
After skiing sparks an unlikely joyful revolution in the high peaks of Afghanistan, the people of Bamyan must call upon the lessons learned on the slopes when they experience the collapse of their country.

Narrative Special Presentation Audience Choice Award

“September 5,” directed by Tim Fehlbaum (Germany)
“September 5” unveils the decisive moment that forever changed media coverage and continues to impact live news today. Set during the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics, the film follows an American Sports broadcasting team that quickly adapted from sports reporting to live coverage of the Israeli athletes taken hostage. Through this lens, “September 5” provides a fresh perspective on the live broadcast seen globally by an estimated one billion people at the time. Special presentation from Paramount Pictures.

Documentary Special Presentation Audience Choice Award

“Blink,” directed by Edmund Stenson and Daniel Roher (Canada, USA)
After three of their children are diagnosed with an incurable eye condition, one family embarks on an epic journey to show them the beauty of the world before it vanishes for good. Special presentation from National Geographic Documentary Films.

Narrative Official Selection Audience Choice Award

“Green and Gold,” directed by Anders Lindwall (United States)
With American farms disappearing, a fourth-generation dairy farmer (Craig T. Nelson) and his granddaughter fight to preserve their way of life. Facing foreclosure, they wager everything on their beloved Green Bay Packers in a Hail Mary effort to save their little chunk of dirt.

Documentary Official Selection Audience Choice Award

“Zurawski v Texas,” directed by Maisie Crow and Abbie Perrault (USA)
Women denied abortions under Texas’s ambiguous and unforgiving bans band together with a fearless attorney to sue Texas. Executive produced by Jennifer Lawrence, Justine Ciarrocchi, Hillary Clinton, Chelsea Clinton, and Johnny Webb.
Indiana Spotlight Narrative Audience Choice Award

“Dirty Laundry,” directed by Rocky Walls (United States)
In 1997, during their routine laundry night, best buds Kyle and Eric fall under a truth-telling spell that jeopardizes their dreams of starting a business together.

Indiana Spotlight Documentary Audience Choice Award

“The Waiting Game,” directed by Michael Husain (United States)
An epic documentary of cold capitalism versus simple human need, “The Waiting Game” follows a tiny not-for-profit’s fight against the NBA as it delays and ignores payment to the ABA players who built so much of its value.