Heartland Film Festival
Heartland Film Festival
October
8-18
CELEBRATING 35 YEARS
The Heartland Film Festival, presented by Alamo Drafthouse Cinema at The Square, is an 11-day celebration of independent film featuring 200+ screenings at venues across the Indy area. In 2026, the Heartland Film Festival was ranked the #1 Best Film Festival by USA TODAY 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards. Attendees can expect World Premiere screenings, blockbuster sneak peeks, local Hoosier films, filmmaker Q&As and red carpet events. The 35th Heartland Film Festival is running in Indianapolis from October 8-18, 2026. The film schedule and tickets will be available on September 17, 2026.
Accepting Feature Films
Final Deadline | July 5
Film submissions are open for the 35th Heartland Film Festival! The festival is known for quality screenings, daily networking opportunities, clear communication and $60,000 in cash prizes! Filmmakers make lasting connections and return year after year.
Accepting Feature Films
Final Deadline | July 5
Film submissions are open for the 35th Heartland Film Festival! The festival is known for quality screenings, daily networking opportunities, clear communication and $60,000 in cash prizes! Filmmakers make lasting connections and return year after year.
People that truly care
"Heartland redefines what it is to have attention to detail; a festival that connects with what matters though people that truly care. Thank you for a wonderful time!"
Laura Andrea López Estrada, Heartland Film Festival Alum
2025 Festival Photos
Recap Video
Heartland Film Festival
October 2025
2025 Festival Guidebook
Awards & Cash Prizes
Grand Prize for Narrative Feature
$20,000 Cash Prize
Grand Prize for Documentary Feature
$20,000 Cash Prize
Jimmy Stewart Legacy Award
$5,000 Cash Prize
Humor & Humanity Award
$2,000 Cash Prize
Richard D. Propes Narrative Social Impact Award
$2,000 Cash Prize
Richard D. Propes Documentary Social Impact Award
$2,000 Cash Prize
Best Narrative Premiere Award
$2,500 Cash Prize
Best Documentary Premiere Award
$2,500 Cash Prize
Hoodox Indiana Spotlight Documentary Award
$2,000 Cash Prize
2025 Award Winners
Grand Prize for Narrative Feature | Happy Birthday | Sarah Goher (USA) |
Grand Prize for Documentary Feature | Jimmy & The Demons | Cindy Meehl (USA) |
Jimmy Stewart Legacy Award | The Eyes of Ghana | Ben Proudfoot (USA) |
|---|---|---|
Humor & Humanity Award | Tight & Nerdy | Jeff Nucera & Jonathan Ruane (USA) |
Richard D. Propes Narrative Social Impact Award | Shakti | Nani Sahra Walker (USA & Nepal) |
Richard D. Propes Documentary Social Impact Award | Comparsa | Vickie Curtis & Doug Anderson (USA & Guatamela) |
Best Narrative Premiere Award | Shakti | Nani Sahra Walker (USA & Nepal) |
Best Documentary Premiere Award | À demain sur la Lune | Thomas Balmés (France) |
Hoodox Indiana Spotlight Documentary Award | The Tenderness Tour | Andie Redwine (USA) |
2025 Audience Choice Award Winners
Overall Narrative Audience Choice Award | Nuremberg | James Vanderbilt (USA) |
Overall Documentary Audience Choice Award | Best Day Ever | Ben Knight & Berne Broudy (USA) |
Narrative Special Presentation Audience Choice Award | Rental Family | HIKARI (Japan, USA) |
|---|---|---|
Documentary Special Presentation Audience Choice Award | John Candy: I Like Me | Colin Hanks (USA) |
Narrative Official Selection Audience Choice Award | A Simple Machine | Mark Alan Hoffman (USA) |
Documentary Official Selection Audience Choice Award | Tight & Nerdy | Jeff Nucera & Jonathan Ruane (USA) |
Indiana Spotlight Audience Choice Award | The Tenderness Tour | Andie Redwine (USA) |
Horror Audience Choice Award | Queens of the Dead | Tina Romero (USA) |
Indiana Film Journalists Association Award | Blue Moon | Richard Linklater (USA, Ireland) |
In the News
Hoosier Hospitality: How Heartland and Indy Shorts Combine Taste, Friendliness and Business Sense
MovieMaker Magazine
Heartland Film festival wins top spot in USA TODAY poll
IndyStar
Alamo Drafthouse to sponsor Heartland Film Festival for next 3 years
WISH-TV
The 25 Coolest Film Festival in the World, 2025
MovieMaker Magazine
November 18, 2025
Read More about The 25 Coolest Film Festival in the World, 2025
34th Annual Heartland International Film Festival Announces Winners; ‘Nuremburg’ Snags Top Honor
The Contending
Heartland International Film Festival Grand Prizes Go to Debut Film Happy Birthday and Doc Jimmy & the Demons
MovieMaker Magazine