The Heartland Film Festival started in 1992 as a small event in Indianapolis and has expanded over time to become one of the fastest growing film festivals in the country. Today, the annual film festival is a ten-day event full of independent films, a variety of special events for film enthusiasts of all ages, and a one-of-a-kind experience in one of the Midwest's most inviting cities.

Each October, Heartland Film Festival screens independent films from around the world and presents more than $100,000 in cash prizes and Crystal Heart Awards to the Festival's top-judged submissions. Selected student films receive Jimmy Stewart Memorial Crystal Heart Awards and cash prizes. The Crystal Heart Award and Jimmy Stewart Memorial Crystal Heart Award cash prizes are made possibly by the generous support of Godby Family of Services, The Joshua Max Simon Charitable Foundation, KeyBank, Lilly Endowment, Inc. and The Stewart Foundation.

During the Heartland Film Festival, Heartland has awarded more than $2 million in the last 17 years to support filmmakers in their quest to create films that bring out the best of the human spirit.

Get more information on past Festivals films and award winners.