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HEARTLAND FILM FESTIVAL

October

8-18

BUY A PASS

2027 submissions open

Indy Shorts Film Festival

July

20-25

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tickets on sale this fall

Cinemania

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Founded in 1991

Heartland Film is a nonprofit arts organization that runs the Heartland Film Festival in October, the Academy Award®-Qualifying Indy Shorts Film Festival in July and other year-round programs.

Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, Heartland Film was founded in 1991 with the mission to curate, promote and celebrate thoughtful and engaging films. The films we select and exhibit all have one thing in common: they are films that do more than entertain.

#1 best film festival

Heartland Film Festival

The Heartland Film Festival is the #1 Best Film Festival by the 2026 USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards! Thank you for your support over the last 35 years. We can’t wait to celebrate with you this October 8-18 at the 35th Heartland Film Festival!

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#1 best film festival

Heartland Film Festival

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Upcoming Events

OCT 2026

HFF35 Festival Preview Screening: First Five

Scottish Rite Cathedral | Theater

Tip off the 35th Heartland Film Festival with the World Premiere of "First Five," a documentary about Coach Bob Knight’s first recruiting class at Indiana University.

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OCT 2026

HFF35 Opening Night: JIMMY

Scottish Rite Cathedral | Theater

Celebrate the start of the 35th Heartland Film Festival with the Festival World Premiere of "JIMMY," a new biopic celebrating the life and legacy of beloved Hollywood icon Jimmy Stewart.

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