Indy Shorts Filmmakers
indy shorts film festival
FILMMAKER TOOLKIT
WELCOME!
Congratulations on your acceptance into the 9th Indy Shorts Film Festival! You are our most important VIP, so before the festival begins, here is a complete guide to having the best possible experience!
Community Outreach
We love connecting films with local community groups and non-profits that have a common focus. If you know an Indianapolis-based group that would be interested in your film, let us know!
You can email your ideas to our Community Outreach & Education Manager, Abi Lindstedt, at alindstedt@heartlandfilm.org.
Community Outreach
We love connecting films with local community groups and non-profits that have a common focus. If you know an Indianapolis-based group that would be interested in your film, let us know!
You can email your ideas to our Community Outreach & Education Manager, Abi Lindstedt, at alindstedt@heartlandfilm.org.
Social Media Tips
With 250+ films in the festival, it is nearly impossible for us to effectively showcase every film on our social platforms. But with your help, we can get the word out together! The more you post and tag, the more we can share, like and comment. @HeartlandFilm #IndyShorts2026 #ShortsandSweets
Indy Shorts Social Media Toolkit
You'll find pre-written posts, graphics, festival laurels and themed story backgrounds!
Custom Social Media Graphic
We made a custom Indy Shorts graphic for each film!
FILMMAKER CHECK-IN
Filmmaker badges will be available to collect during the following dates and times:
Tuesday, July 21 | 4-8 PM | Living Room Theaters |
Wednesday, July 22 | 4-8 PM | Living Room Theaters |
Thursday, July 23 | 12-8 PM | Living Room Theaters |
Friday, July 24 | 12-8 PM | Living Room Theaters |
Saturday, July 25 | 12-8 PM | Living Room Theaters |
Sunday, July 26 | 12-6 PM | Living Room Theaters |
CONTACT US
Programming | Greg Sorvig, Artistic Director | gsorvig@heartlandfilm.org |
Hospitality | Sam Opsahl, Film Programming Coordinator | sopsahl@heartlandfilm.org |
Print Traffic | Jason Harris, Print Traffic Coordinator | printtraffic@heartlandfilm.org |
Box Office | boxoffice@heartlandfilm.org |
PHOTO OPS
All of the festival venues have red carpet, so stop by to get your photo taken! A professional photographer will be onsite during these dates & times:
Thursday, July 23 | 7 - 9 PM | Backlot Bash | Pins Mechanical Co. |
Saturday, July 25 | 10:30 AM - 1 PM | Awards Brunch | Tinker House Events |
Saturday, July 25 | 7:30-9:30 PM | Summer Nights Award Winners | The Amphitheater at Newfields |
Sunday, July 26 | 1:15 -2:15 PM | Mimosa Mixer | Indy Art Center's Library |
FILMMAKER Q&A DETAILS
Participating in Q&A (staying to watch film) | Check-in at the venue Box Office 30 minutes before your screening begins. Please note that you must reserve a ticket to watch your film. If you have not reserved a ticket, please do so ASAP. |
Participating in Q&A (not watching film) | Check-in at the venue's Box Office at least 10 minutes before your program's screening ends. |
Tech-Check | Film out the Tech Check Form at least 48 hours before your screening. On the day of, Check-in at the venue Box Office at least 1 hour before your screening begins — regardless of Q&A participation. |
LIVING ROOM THEATERS
745 E 9th St Ste 810, Indianapolis, IN 46202
INDY ART CENTER
820 E 67th St, Indianapolis, IN 46220
THE AMPHITHEATER AT NEWFIELDS
4000 N Michigan Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46208
Academy Award®-Qualifying Narrative Short Grand Prize
$5,000 Cash Prize
Academy Award®-Qualifying Documentary Short Grand Prize
$5,000 Cash Prize
Academy Award®-Qualifying Animated Short Grand Prize
$5,000 Cash Prize
Directorial Debut
$1,000 Cash Prize
Indiana Spotlight Narrative Award
$2,000 Cash Prize
Hoodox Indiana Spotlight Documentary Award
$1,000 Cash Prize
Children's Resilience Short Film Prize
$2,500 Cash Prize
Lens of Hope Award
$5,000 Cash Prize
Richard D. Propes Social Impact Award
$1,000 Cash Prize
Jenni Berebitsky Legacy Award
$1,800 Cash Prize
High School Film Competition Summer White Lynch Memorial Grand Prize
$2,500 Cash Prize
High School Film Competition Indiana Spotlight Award
$1,500 Cash Prize
Comedy Award
$1,000 Cash Prize
Horror Award
$1,000 Cash Prize
Media
Heartland Film will send press releases out before and during the festival. These are general press releases to provide media event details and a list of all the films.
While our media outreach will focus on the overall festival promotion, feel free to reach out to media on your own too! We've provided a few media contacts below.
Media
Heartland Film will send press releases out before and during the festival. These are general press releases to provide media event details and a list of all the films.
While our media outreach will focus on the overall festival promotion, feel free to reach out to media on your own too! We've provided a few media contacts below.
BEFORE THE FESTIVAL
RESERVE TICKETS
Secure seats to film screenings with your Filmmaker Pass! Due to our theaters having assigned seats, you need to reserve tickets to every film you see, including your own.
SEE WHO'S COMING
Check out our Filmmaker & Industry Directory to see who is attending the festival!
TECH CHECK FORM
If you'd like to have a tech check, you must fill out this form at least 48-hours before your screening.
FEST WITH US
We want to celebrate your film and hang out! At the Indy Shorts Film Festival, we take great pride in our Hoosier Hospitality. If you travel to Indianapolis, you're sure to be met with smiling faces, new friends and unforgettable experiences. On top of having a blast and seeing your film on the big screen, here are some benefits to attending the festival in-person.
Attendance is generally 10% higher for screenings with filmmakers attending.
Films with attending filmmakers will be listed at the top of our daily newsletter.
Filmmaker interview requests are sent to attending filmmakers first.
We host daily filmmaker, staff and industry networking opportunities.
Filmmakers are invited to all parties and special events.
Word of mouth is king! Being at the festival and talking about your film can impact the number of attendees that show up to your screening!
One complimentary hotel night for filmmakers (dependent on availability). Email Sam at sopsahl@heartlandfilm.org for more information.
FEST WITH US
We want to celebrate your film and hang out! At the Indy Shorts Film Festival, we take great pride in our Hoosier Hospitality. If you travel to Indianapolis, you're sure to be met with smiling faces, new friends and unforgettable experiences. On top of having a blast and seeing your film on the big screen, here are some benefits to attending the festival in-person.
Attendance is generally 10% higher for screenings with filmmakers attending.
Films with attending filmmakers will be listed at the top of our daily newsletter.
Filmmaker interview requests are sent to attending filmmakers first.
We host daily filmmaker, staff and industry networking opportunities.
Filmmakers are invited to all parties and special events.
Word of mouth is king! Being at the festival and talking about your film can impact the number of attendees that show up to your screening!
One complimentary hotel night for filmmakers (dependent on availability). Email Sam at sopsahl@heartlandfilm.org for more information.