Heartland Film Festival

Marielle Heller’s Tom Hanks-starrer A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD Opens Heartland International Film Festival 2019 among major awards players for this year’s fest

By John Wildman 6 years ago

Four top-tier titles expected to be major awards players this year have been secured for each of the gala slots for this year’s edition of the film festival, and a number of attention-getting films will join them as Heartland takes another major step toward being a leader on the regional circuit. Marielle Heller’s Tom Hanks-starrer A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD was chosen as the Opening Night Gala film, and Destin Daniel Cretton’s JUST MERCY will screen as the Closing Night Gala selection. Noah Baumbach’s MARRIAGE STORY is set to be the Centerpiece Screening, and Fernando Meirelles’ THE TWO POPES will be the Showcase Screening.

Lifetime Achievement Awards Cloris Leachman, Michael Apted: 2019 Heartland International Film Festival announces 2 Lifetime Achievement honorees and a special festival guest

By John Wildman 6 years ago

“Bold, daring, and innovative, are all key words for us at the Heartland International Film Festival this year, and our two honorees and our very special guest each are examples of those words in multiple ways. It will be a great pleasure to celebrate the work of our two incredible Life Achievement Award honorees; Michael Apted, who has proven to be an exemplary storyteller, regardless of whether he is working in fiction or documentary; and Cloris Leachman, an on-screen force-of-creative nature for going on 8 decades now,” said Heartland International Film Festival’s Executive Director Craig Prater. “That alone sets us up for an amazing film festival. However, to be able to also welcome to Heartland an actor who has put together one of the most eclectic and entertaining filmographies on record, AND happens to be one of Indy’s favorite son’s – Brendan Fraser? Well, that already puts us over the top for 2019, and we haven’t even announced our lineup yet.”

FILM FESTIVAL NEWS: Heartland Film signs on to the 5050×2020 gender parity pledge for its film festivals

By John Wildman 7 years ago

“A common myth is that women aren’t making films or they’re not submitting to festivals,” said Heartland Film Film Programming Coordinator Julia Ricci. “That is far from the truth. The talent is out there and they have something to say; it is important for film festivals to amplify these voices and provide equal opportunity across the board. Heartland’s track record of recognizing and honoring female filmmakers is growing stronger each year, and I’m thrilled that we are officially committing to this initiative.”