Heartland International Film Festival
Indianapolis, IN (September 13, 2018) – The Heartland International Film Festival today announced the official selections for the film festival’s 27th edition. Documentaries will be spotlighted to bookend one of the major stops for filmmakers on the regional film festival circuit, with Melissa Haizlip and Samuel D. Pollard’s award-winning "MR. SOUL!" chosen as the Opening Night Gala film, and Julie Getz’s feel-good doc "CARE TO LAUGH," will make its world premiere as the Closing Night Gala selection. Kendall Goldberg’s "WHEN JEFF TRIED TO SAVE THE WORLD" is set to be the Centerpiece Screening and Elizabeth Chomko’s star-studded drama "WHAT THEY HAD" will be the Spotlight Screening. Television legend Hal Linden was also announced to receive the Heartland’s Pioneering Spirit: Lifetime Achievement Award.
Heartland International Film Festival President Craig Prater, said, “In our 27 the year, Heartland continues to bring an amazing array of films and filmmakers from around the world to screen for our dedicated film fans in Indiana – with 18 of them making their world and U.S. premieres right here in Indiana, while adding a little Hollywood touch to the proceedings. Opening our fest with a film that has been an award winner at other festivals, and closing with a film that will send everyone home with a smile on their face exemplifies our efforts to strike a great balance with our programming. Of course, honoring a true television icon like Hal Linden, who we welcomed into our living rooms for so many years now, adds an additional bit of magic to everything, as well.”
Heartland International Film Festival President Craig Prater, said, “In our 27 the year, Heartland continues to bring an amazing array of films and filmmakers from around the world to screen for our dedicated film fans in Indiana – with 18 of them making their world and U.S. premieres right here in Indiana, while adding a little Hollywood touch to the proceedings. Opening our fest with a film that has been an award winner at other festivals, and closing with a film that will send everyone home with a smile on their face exemplifies our efforts to strike a great balance with our programming. Of course, honoring a true television icon like Hal Linden, who we welcomed into our living rooms for so many years now, adds an additional bit of magic to everything, as well.”

Also on Sunday, October 14, Hal Linden will be presented with Heartland’s Pioneering Spirit:
Lifetime Achievement Award at AMC Castleton Square (6020 E. 82nd St.) following a screening of Marc Fusco’s "THE SAMUEL PROJECT." The film follows a teenager, who gets to know his grandfather (Linden) for the first time when he makes him the subject of an animated art project for school. With dreams of becoming a professional artist, he discovers that his grandpa was saved from Nazi capture in Germany by a young woman when he was a boy.
Linden starred in numerous Broadway musicals, including “On a Clear Day You Can See Forever,” “Subways Are for Sleeping,” “The Apple Tree,” “The Pajama Game,” and “The Rothschilds,” for which he won a Tony Award in 1971. In 1975, Barney Miller premiered with Linden in the title role. The show was nominated for Emmy each year it ran, and Linden became forever identified with the beloved character he helped create. Linden continues to be a frequent presence on television and film, with recent TV appearances on Supernatural, Royal Pains, 2 Broke Girls, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, as well as "THE SAMUEL PROJECT."
Lifetime Achievement Award at AMC Castleton Square (6020 E. 82nd St.) following a screening of Marc Fusco’s "THE SAMUEL PROJECT." The film follows a teenager, who gets to know his grandfather (Linden) for the first time when he makes him the subject of an animated art project for school. With dreams of becoming a professional artist, he discovers that his grandpa was saved from Nazi capture in Germany by a young woman when he was a boy.
Linden starred in numerous Broadway musicals, including “On a Clear Day You Can See Forever,” “Subways Are for Sleeping,” “The Apple Tree,” “The Pajama Game,” and “The Rothschilds,” for which he won a Tony Award in 1971. In 1975, Barney Miller premiered with Linden in the title role. The show was nominated for Emmy each year it ran, and Linden became forever identified with the beloved character he helped create. Linden continues to be a frequent presence on television and film, with recent TV appearances on Supernatural, Royal Pains, 2 Broke Girls, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, as well as "THE SAMUEL PROJECT."
For details and full schedule download PDF file below.

heartland_ff_2018_-_full_schedule_pr_final_.pdf |