At F.C. Tucker we talk a lot about “paying our civic rent,” so for the month of November, we would like to express our gratitude to the many organizations and individuals who serve their communities tirelessly and make Indiana a better place to live and work. We obviously can’t highlight everyone, but we would like to salute these 30 organizations that are making a difference.
30 Days of Thanksgiving – Day 23: Heartland Film Festival
Heartland Film is one of the best and brightest non-profit arts organizations in the Hoosier state. Through their work, they breed and inspire filmmakers in Indiana to achieve great things through their craft. With the Heartland Film Institute, they educate and inspire young filmmakers through workshops, seminars and their annual Heartland High School Film Competition. And through the Heartland Film Roadshow, they offer those outside of Indianapolis a chance to experience some amazing film screenings. They also keep Hoosier’s engaged in the best national movies by awarding films their coveted Truly Moving Picture Award. Numerous times throughout the year, Heartland will bestow the award to theatrical-release films that “do more than entertain”.
This organization is known mainly for one thing though, the Heartland Film Festival. As Indiana’s largest film festival, HFF recently marked its 26th year making it not only the biggest, but longest running film festival in our great state. Each year in October, this local film organization invites cinephiles from all over the country to enjoy exclusive screenings and talk film with Hollywood insiders. Over the years, A-list actors like Robert Downey Jr., Jessica Biel and Geoffrey Rush have all came to Indiana to experience the event. The filmmakers, screenings and even the length of the festival itself have all grown significantly since Heartland’s inaugural event in 1992.
Sponsorship plays an important role in keeping Heartland beating as well. During the festival, local companies will have the opportunity to sponsor various film screenings, VIP parties and theaters to help support the organization. You can even become a Heartland Film member allowing festival access to screenings, parties, dinners, panel discussions and more. In appreciation for all the wonderful donations and sponsors from the recent festival, Heartland will be hosting a That’s a Wrap! party on Nov. 30. Here, donors, sponsors, staff and volunteers will all gather together at the Athenaeum to relive special moments from the recent festival, take in a couple of short films, eat some good food and even play some movie trivia.
While the main Heartland Film Festival event comes around every October, the organization runs fundraisers throughout the year. Running Heartland’s flagship festival each year doesn’t bring in a huge profit for the organization, so they rely on events like the upcoming Dec. 9 Holiday Fundraiser. At downtown’s Pershing Theater, Heartland will screen the 1954 holiday classic “White Christmas.” Starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye, this snowy film is full of Christmas dancing and singing. Then, after the holidays are over, and if you’re kids haven’t gotten their fill of this modern-day classic already, Heartland will screen “Frozen” on Jan. 13 at the Athenaeum on Mass Ave. Tickets for the shows start at $25 each, but remember, these are actually donations to keep Heartland up and running!
