2015 Heartland Film Festival Call for Entries Period is NOW OPEN
In February 2015, filmmakers from around the world are invited to submit feature length and short films in Narrative and Documentary categories to the 24th annual Heartland Film Festival. Student filmmakers are also encouraged to apply. High school filmmakers are encouraged to submit their entries to the 6th iteration of the Heartland High School Film Competition. Film submissions are judged on their overall artistic and technical quality, in addition to how they might promote positive change in people’s lives through the transformative power of film.
In addition, the Heartland Film Festival is a qualifying festival for the Annual Academy Awards® within the Short Films Category. This means that the winner of the Grand Prize for Best Narrative Short Film will qualify for consideration in the Short Films category of the Annual Academy Awards® without the standard theatrical run, provided the film otherwise complies with the Academy rules.
Download the 2015 Rules & Regulations Document (PDF)
- 2015 AWARD CATEGORIES & CASH PRIZES
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Heartland Film will also be honoring select feature films that have their U.S. or World Premiere at the Festival. We will offer awards for “Best Premiere” in the narrative feature and documentary feature categories. Filmmakers hoping to compete for these prizes are responsible for informing Heartland of their eligibility at the time of submission, and for reporting immediately any changes in the premiere status.
During the Heartland Film Festival, one Grand Prize winner in each category will be announced. These 2015 prizes are as follows:
- Best Narrative Feature ($45,000 total award)
- Best Documentary Feature ($45,000 total award)
- Best Narrative Short ($5,000 total award)
- Best Documentary Short ($5,000 total award)
- Jimmy Stewart Memorial Crystal Heart Award Winners ($2,000 each, $4,000 total award)
- HSFC Grand Prize Winner ($3,000 total award)
- Best Premiere, Narrative Feature ($5,000 total award)
- Best Premiere, Documentary Feature ($5,000 total award)
- Indiana Spotlight Winner ($5,000 total award)
2015 Deadlines & Fees
- EARLY BIRD DEADLINE – APRIL 3
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- Feature Films – $50 / $30 student
- Short Films – $30 / $20 student
- High School Film Competition – $0
- REGULAR DEADLINE – MAY 15
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- Feature Films – $65 / $40 student
- Short Films – $45 / $35 student
- High School Film Competition – $10
- LATE DEADLINE – MAY 22
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- Feature Films – $85 / $50 student
- Short Films – $65 / $55 student
- High School Film Competition – $15
- WAB EXTENDED DEADLINE – MAY 29
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- Feature Films – $105 / $75 student
- Short Films – $85 / $75 Student
- High School Film Competition – $30
Indiana Spotlight Competition
- ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
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New in 2015, the Heartland Film Festival will feature an Indiana Spotlight competition, with a cash prize of $5,000 going to the winner.
Submissions from the Narrative Feature, Documentary Feature, Narrative Short and Documentary Short categories that meet the eligibility requirements and hold their U.S. or World Premiere at the Festival will be in competition for the prize.
Films must meet two of the following three criteria for eligibility (proof is required):
- Director is a current Indiana resident or Indiana native.
- Producer/Executive Producer/Screenwriter is a current Indiana resident or Indiana native.
- At least 65% of the film was shot in Indiana.
Films competing for the Indiana Spotlight prize will remain in competition for other prizes, assuming all eligibility requirements are met.