Heartland International Film Festival

SELECTION PROCESS
Each submitted film goes through an involved judging process and is screened by at least one member of the selection committee. Selected films could eventually be seen more than six times by members of the screening committees, programming staff, and juries. Heartland Film reserves the right to stop watching your film after 15 minutes if the reviewer determines that the film’s technical quality is not at a baseline level for Festival inclusion.

Films submitted to Heartland International Film Festival are judged on their overall artistic and technical quality and are story-driven films that do more than entertain, with the ability to shift perspectives, make an impact on audiences, or feature a fresh perspective.

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for Heartland International Film Festival, films must comply with the following:

- The film must have been completed on or after January 1, 2024, and be no longer than 40 minutes with credits.

- The film must be available for up to three in-person screenings during the Festival, October 9-19, 2024. Selected films cannot play theatrically in the Central Indiana area from the time of selection through the event.

- There must not be a screening fee attached to the film. There will be perks for accepted filmmakers, but screening fees and honorariums will not be offered and cannot be demanded after a filmmaker contract has been signed.

- Heartland requires a Digital Cinema Package (DCP) for every film in addition to a high-quality digital backup file. No Blu-rays, DVDs or 35mm prints will be screened at the Festival.

- The film cannot require dual projection (interlock) or separate soundtracks.

- Non-English language films must be subtitled. Please do not send us an un-subtitled version with the intention of providing a subtitled version later. Please ensure that all subtitles are included in the original version or come with the correct Version File.

- Titles streaming prior to the Festival via TVOD are still eligible for consideration (SVOD titles are not eligible). Titles with a wide broadcast release/wide online availability (YouTube, PBS, etc.) at any point prior to the Festival are not eligible. Any change in release plans for invited films must be discussed with the Festival ASAP.

PREMIERE STATUS

Premiere status has no bearing on whether a film is selected. Heartland Film does not encourage your film to be available on YouTube, Vimeo, streaming platforms, theatrical release, etc. prior to the event, but that does not have any bearing on eligibility. Any film invited to play at the Festival MUST communicate to the Artistic Director if release plans change once the film is programmed. Failure to communicate may result in the film being pulled from the lineup.

Once a premiere status (World, North American or US premiere) is locked in it cannot be changed. If labeled a premiere in the signed filmmaker contract, a film cannot revoke or change its premiere status; no exceptions.

RULES FOR SUBMISSION

In addition to the eligibility requirements listed above, filmmakers must comply with the following submission rules to be considered as an Official Selection in their respective category:

The submitting filmmaker must be either the producer or director of the film.

- A completed/paid official entry via this site.

- Multiple submissions must be provided as individual submissions.

- If submitting a film that is not yet complete, place "WORK IN PROGRESS" on a title card at the beginning of your film - but please wait and submit the most complete version of your film as possible. We cannot guarantee that updated files will be screened.

- Films submitted in the wrong categories to save on submission costs will be disqualified and fees will be kept by Heartland Film, Inc.

NOTIFICATION

All selected titles are considered Official Selections and are eligible for the Grand Prizes. Official Selections are also eligible for other prizes, such as the Jimmy Stewart Legacy Award, Best Premieres, Social Impact Awards, Humor & Humanity Award, and Audience Choice.

Other films may be invited to screen at the festival as a “Special Presentation” in a “To Be Announced” time slot; these may be eligible for the Audience Choice Award depending on when the films are scheduled. “Special Presentation” films are generally titles that already have major distribution or have had their broadcast premiere prior to the Heartland International Film Festival.

SELECTED FILMS

Heartland Film, Inc. reserves the right to withdraw any film from the lineup, before or during the event. All selected films/representatives warrant that they have all the necessary rights to exhibit all elements of my submission, including music rights. Chosen filmmakers shall indemnify and hold harmless Heartland Film from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney’s fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the exhibition files provided.

Confirmed films cannot drop from the Festival lineup once the filmmaker contract is signed. Any title breaking its filmmaker agreement and pulling from the lineup once confirmed will be subject to a fine equivalent to the loss in venue fees and lost ticket revenue.

In 2024, 126 feature films were selected from more than 1,000 feature submissions.