Jimmy, the untold true story of American actor Jimmy Stewart, directed by Aaron Burns and starring KJ Apa, will make its World Premiere as the Opening Night film of the 35th Heartland Film Festival, scheduled to run from October 8-18, 2026, with screenings at venues around Indianapolis, Indiana.
The Festival World Premiere of Jimmy will take place on Thursday, October 8, at the Scottish Rite Cathedral, and Burns & Co. Entertainment, in partnership with Fathom Entertainment, will release Jimmy nationwide on November 6 with a traditional theatrical release.
The premiere will be attended by director/producer Aaron Burns, actors KJ Apa (Jimmy Stewart), Max Casella (Frank Capra), Kara Killmer (Lady Julia), Marc Malkin (Glenn Miller), Karolyn Grimes (Actress), producer and casting director Angela Sullivan, producers Jack McClintock & David Cook, executive producer Kelly Stewart Harcourt, and screenwriter Justin Strawhand.
The festival will also partner with the Jimmy Stewart Museum to display original pieces from their collection.
Jimmy is the untold true story of the beloved American actor and the role that saved him, focusing on the most transformative season in Jimmy Stewart’s life—from winning the Academy Award for Best Actor in The Philadelphia Story to enlisting and becoming a combat pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps at the beginning of World War II. He flew twenty missions over Europe, rising to the rank of colonel by the end of the war, only to return home broken and disheartened. Then George Bailey and It’s a Wonderful Life came calling.
Jimmy Stewart was one of the most influential actors of Hollywood’s Golden Age, appearing in more than 80 films across a career that spanned five decades. Known for his distinctive voice and relatable screen presence, Stewart starred in acclaimed films including Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Rear Window, Vertigo, and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. In 1985, he received an Honorary Academy Award in recognition of his contributions to American cinema.
“No performance has moved me more than Jimmy Stewart’s portrayal of George Bailey in It’s a Wonderful Life,” said Heartland Film’s Artistic Director, Greg Sorvig. “Stewart remains an enduring American icon, hero and screen legend. We’re honored to open the Heartland Film Festival with Jimmy, the story behind the role that defined his legacy.”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.