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.
Heartland International Film Festival
Every October, the Heartland Film Festival gives its moviegoers access to more than 100 visiting independent filmmakers from all over the world, right in the heart of the Midwest. Heartland showcases more than 130 entertaining movies that do more than just entertain over 10 days of red carpet premieres and events, parties and hundreds of film screenings across Indianapolis.
Heartland Film Festival started in 1992 and takes place in Indianapolis, Indiana
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‘Happy Birthday,’ ‘Jimmy & The Demons’,Nuremberg, Rental Family Win Awards at 34th Heartland International Film Festival
courtesy (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.
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34th Heartland Film Festival Unveils Lineup, Closing with Rami Malek in Nuremberg
Rami Malek in Nuremberg (Scott Garfield) The 34th Heartland International Film Festival (HIFF) presented by Alamo Drafthouse Cinema at The Square, Indianapolis, Indiana, from October 9-19, 2025, revealed the lineup of more than 100 independent films.
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‘La Cocina’ and ‘Porcelain War’ Take Grand Prizes at 33rd Heartland International Film Festival
courtesy 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).
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‘A Real Pain,’ ‘Small Things Like These,’ ‘Emilia Pérez’ Headline 33rd Heartland Film Festival Lineup
Emilia Pérez (Saint-Laurent Productions /Netflix) The 33rd Heartland International Film Festival (HIFF) taking place October 10-20 in Indianapolis, Indiana, will showcase more than 110 feature films under theme “Expand Your Universe.”
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Simón, Rustin, ‘We Dare to Dream,’ ‘Hard Miles’ Win Top Awards at 32nd Heartland Film Festival
Awards Winners of 32nd Heartland Film Festival 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).
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‘The Lionheart’ to Open and ‘The Holdovers’ to Close 32nd Heartland Film Festival Lineup
The Lionheart The 32nd Heartland International Film Festival (HIFF), taking place October 5-15, 2023, will showcase more than 120 feature films under the theme “You Can’t Look Away.”
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‘Hidden Letters’, ‘Our Father, the Devil’, ‘Wildcat’ Win Top Awards at 2022 Heartland Film Festival
Hidden Letters directed by Violet Du Feng and Qing Zhao 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.
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Will Smith’s ‘King Richard’ Wins Overall Audience Choice Award at Heartland Film Festival
King Richard. Photo by Chiabella James 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.
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‘Americanish’ and ‘All These Sons’ Win Top Jury Awards at 30th Heartland Film Festival
Americanish directed by Iman Zawahry “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.
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Ann Dowd and Woody Norman to be Honored at Heartland Film Festival
Ann Dowd, Woody Norman 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).
