HEARTLAND FILM FESTIVAL DEEMS "NARNIA" A MOVING FILM

 

Heartland Film Festival® announced today Walt Disney Pictures’ “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” as the newest Truly Moving Picture Award winner. A story of betrayal, forgiveness and a family united to overcome odds, this epic masterpiece comes to life December 9.

“’The Chronicles of Narnia’ is an important film which Heartland is honored to add it to its list of Truly Moving Pictures," said Jeffrey L. Sparks, president of Heartland Film Festival. "We encourage everyone to see this classic, magical tale in all its fullness on the big screen this holiday season."

C.S. Lewis’ timeless adventure follows the exploits of the four Pevensie siblings – Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter – in World War II England who enter the world of Narnia through a magical wardrobe while playing a game of ‘hide-and-seek’ in the rural country home of an elderly professor. Once there, the children discover a charming, peaceful land inhabited by talking beasts, dwarfs, fauns, centaurs and giants that has become a world cursed to eternal winter by the evil White Witch, Jadis. Under the guidance of a noble and mystical ruler, the lion Aslan, the children fight to overcome the White Witch’s powerful hold over Narnia in a spectacular, climactic battle that will free Narnia from her icy spell forever.

“The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” is the newest recipient of Heartland’s Truly Moving Picture Award. The 2005 recipients (to date) include: “Cinderella Man,” “Coach Carter,” “Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story,” “Duma,” “The Game of Their Lives,” “The Greatest Game Ever Played,” “Ice Princess,” “Madison,” “Millions” and “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.” Thirty-seven films (37) have been honored with the Truly Moving Picture Award since the award’s inception.

Heartland created the Truly Moving Picture Award in 2000 as a way to honor theatrically-released films that inspire and enrich lives. Submissions are received directly from studios and producers for consideration. Since the industry decides a film’s success based on the opening weekend box office, Heartland encourages audiences to attend a Truly Moving Picture on its first weekend.

Heartland Film Festival, a non-profit organization, was established in 1991 to recognize and honor filmmakers whose work explores the human journey by artistically expressing hope and respect for the positive values of life. Each October, Heartland screens Truly Moving Pictures from around the world, ranging from dramas to documentaries to animation. Heartland awards more than $100,000 in cash prizes and Crystal Heart Awards to the Festival's top entries, including a $50,000 grand prize for best dramatic feature. The Jimmy Stewart Memorial Crystal Heart Award winners for the best student films and the Crystal Heart Award winners share the remaining money. The Crystal Heart Award cash prizes are given in honor of Max Simon by his parents, Melvin and Bren Simon, through the Max Simon Charitable Foundation. In 14 years, Heartland has awarded more than $1.4 million to support filmmakers in their quest to create Truly Moving Pictures.

 

 

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