2013 Heartland Film Festival Concludes with Special Presentation of “The Book Thief,” Announces Audience Choice & Best Premiere Award Winners

The 22^nd Annual Heartland Film Festival (Oct. 17-26) capped off its tenth and final day on Saturday with a special presentation of 20^th Century Fox’s “The Book Thief” (in theaters nationwide Nov. 27).

The 22^nd Annual Heartland Film Festival hosted, from left, Actor Geoffrey Rush, Producer Karen Rosenfelt, Actor Sophie Nélisse and Director Brian Percival for its Closing Night Event presentation of “The Book Thief” (20^th Century Fox).

After its presentation of the film, Heartland presented the Truly Moving Picture Award to Director Brian Percival, the Pioneering Spirit: Rising Star Award to Actor Sophie Nélisse and the Pioneering Spirit Award (the organization’s lifetime achievement award) to Actor Geoffrey Rush.

The 22^nd Annual Heartland Film Festival Closing Night Event is introduced by, from left, COO Stuart Lowry, Festival Director Louise Henderson and Artistic Director Tim Irwin at the Indianapolis Museum of Art’s Toby Theatre.

Also announced were Heartland’s 2013 Audience Choice Award Winners and its inaugural Best Premiere Award Winners across all categories:

Audience Choice Award Winners

• Narrative Feature
  • “23 Blast” – Dylan Baker, director
• Documentary Feature (tie)
  • “Blood Brother” – Steve Hoover, director
  • “Life According to Sam” – Sean Fine & Andrea Nix Fine, directors
• Narrative Short
  • “The Amber Amulet” – Matthew Moore, director
• Documentary Short
  • “Running Blind” – Ryan Suffern, director

Best Premiere Award Winners

• Narrative Feature ($5,000 cash prize)
  • “Life Inside Out” – Jill D’Agnenica, director
• Documentary Feature ($5,000 cash prize)
  • “Little Hope Was Arson” – Theo Love, director
• Narrative Short ($2,500 cash prize)
  • “My Guide” – Barnabás Tóth, director
• Documentary Short ($2,500 cash prize)
  • “Wrinkles of the City – La Havana” – J.R. and José Parlá, directors