Who We Are
heartland film
Who We Are
FILMS THAT DO MORE THAN ENTERTAIN
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 from diverse perspectives. The titles we select and exhibit all have one thing in common: they are films that do more than entertain.
What We Do
Heartland Film's vision is to be the preeminent destination for connecting audiences and filmmakers to experience transformative film. This is carried out through two internationally-acclaimed film festivals, accessible community screenings and engaging education programs.
What We Do
Heartland Film's vision is to be the preeminent destination for connecting audiences and filmmakers to experience transformative film. This is carried out through two internationally-acclaimed film festivals, accessible community screenings and engaging education programs.
#1 Best Film Festival
2026
USA TODAY'S 10Best Reader's Choice Award
Top 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World
2023, 2024 & 2025
MovieMaker Magazine
Top 50 Festivals Worth the Entry Fee
2023, 2024 & 2025
MovieMaker Magazine
Top 100 Reviewed Film Festivals
2023, 2024 & 2025
FilmFreeway
Top 20 Best Short Film Festivals in the World
2022
MovieMaker Magazine
STAFF
Michael Ault | President |
Adam Howell | Vice President |
Sarah Donaldson | Organizational Support Manager |
Bailey Britton | Director of Development |
Emily Chu | Senior Development Manager |
Diana Gingerich | Director of Operations & Events |
Abi Lindstedt | Senior Manager of Community Initiatives |
Anna Casey | Special Events Coordinator |
Greg Sorvig | Artistic Director |
Sam Opsahl | Film Programming Coordinator |
Julie Landrum | Film Programmer |
Jessica Chapman | Director of Marketing & Communications |
Angelo Auriemma | Senior Creative Manager |
Holleh Moon | Digital Marketing Coordinator |
Please do not email staff members about film submissions. Please visit our Filmmaker FAQ and email submissions@heartlandfilm.org if you have any questions.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
David Wong, Board Chair |
Susie Townsend, Vice Chair |
Kim Dollin, Secretary |
Gabe Connell, Treasurer |
John Dewey, Immediate Past Chair |
Paul Babcock | Carolyn Hunt | Erin Schneider |
Frank Basile | Michael Husain | Ben Shine |
Charla Booth | Kristi Lee | Stan Soderstrom |
Jennifer Closshey | Fred Lockett | Robert Spoonmore |
Daniel Cook | Karen Mangia | Betty Stilwell |
Tim Cook | Seth Maxwell | Caity Withers |
Jennifer Darby | Yung Nguyen | TJ Woodard |
Marisol Gouveia | Greg Paul | |
Shon Harris | Amy Pauszek |
ADVISORY COUNCIL
Katrina Canfield, Council Chair |
John Abrams | Michael Durr | Chris Phillips |
Kelly Alexiou | Jenny Godby | Traci Prescott |
Shamika Anderson | Lynda Goeke | Heather Richmund |
Penny Barrett | Arlene Grande | Heather Ross |
Chris Bertolini | Tom Grande | Suzanne Rothenberg |
Dan Boots | Nikki Gray | Susan Salsbery |
Lisa Breall | Dija Henry | Bob Schultz |
Heather Brogden | Amy Howell | Sarah Silcox |
Andrea Brummett | Eric Kilbride | Neelu Sondhi |
Ellen Butz | Lindsey Marie Kirkpatrick | David Spencer |
Gary Cohen | David Klapper | Chantel Stone |
Meghan Dagon | Cori Korn | Rocky Walls |
Sandra Daly | Kristen Lappas | Roberta Walton |
Maria Delgado | LeeAnn Law | Regina Wilkes |
Claudia Dille | Katie Lory | Amy Wright |
Leslie Donchetz | Sydney Moody |