
Egypt’s Oscar entry Happy Birthday, directed by Sarah Goher, has won the Narrative Feature Grand Prize at the 34th Heartland International Film Festival.

Egypt’s Oscar entry Happy Birthday, directed by Sarah Goher, has won the Narrative Feature Grand Prize at the 34th Heartland International Film Festival.

“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 32nd Heartland International Film Festival (HIFF) announced the 2023 award winners with major cash prizes going to “Simón” from Director Diego Vicentini ($20,000 Narrative Feature Grand Prize), “We Dare to Dream” from Waad al-Kateab ($20,000 Documentary Feature Grand Prize), and “Hard Miles” from Director RJ Daniel Hanna ($5,000 Jimmy Stewart Legacy Award).

Hidden Letters from director Violet Du Feng and co-director Qing Zhao won the $20,000 Documentary Feature Grand Prize at the 31st Heartland International Film Festival (HIFF), with the other top prizes going to Our Father, the Devil from director Ellie Foumbi for the $20,000 Narrative Feature Grand Prize, and Wildcat from directors Melissa Lesh and Trevor Frost took the $5,000 Jimmy Stewart Legacy Award.

King Richard starred and produced by Will Smith, won the Overall Audience Choice Award, earning the top score across this year’s entire film lineup at the 30th Heartland International Film Festival. HIFF also honored Will Smith with the Pioneering Spirit Award in celebration of Smith’s portrayal of Richard Williams, which he accepted via surprise video message before the Anniversary Gala Event screening of “King Richard” on October 16 at Newfields.

“Americanish” from director Iman Zawahry snagged the $20,000 Narrative Feature Grand Prize and “All These Sons” from Academy Award® nominee Bing Liu (“Minding the Gap” 2018) and Joshua Altman was awarded the $20,000 Documentary Feature Grand Prize at the 30th Heartland International Film Festival.

Actress Ann Dowd and actor Woody Norman will be presented with the Pioneering Spirit Awards at the 30th Heartland International Film Festival (HIFF), set to open this week in Indianapolis (October 7-17).