PRESS RELEASES
Heartland Film Festival Opens with the U.S. Premiere of “Amazing Grace” and Closes with “The Queen”
September 6, 2006 Indianapolis, IN - The 2006 Heartland Film Festival® will open with the U.S. premiere of Michael Apted's powerful "Amazing Grace" and close with Stephen Frears’ intimate portrait of “The Queen.” |
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| “Heartland is very excited to showcase the U.S. premiere of ‘Amazing Grace’ as our Opening Night Event," said Jeffrey L. Sparks, president of the Heartland Film Festival. "This powerful and important story about William Wilberforce is sure to impact audiences wherever it plays, and we're honored to be its first U.S. venue. We are also thrilled to have what looks to be a very significant film from the Miramax 2006 line-up as our Closing Night Event. I know the Heartland of America will embrace this film.” | |
| Sparks announced the preliminary details of the Festival today and these must attend events, including the world premiere of “Air Buddies” for the Festival’s always-popular Kids’ Movie Party. “Air Buddies” introduces the next generation from the hugely popular “Air Bud” franchise but with a surprise, “this time all of our animal characters have a voice, literally through the magic of CGI,” said director Robert Vince. |  Ioan Gruffudd in Amazing Grace |
“We are also happy to welcome Robert back to the Heartland for the third time with the world premiere of his charming film, ‘Air Buddies,’” added Sparks. “Kids will love this movie, and adults won’t want to miss this opportunity to make another memory with their children.”
Heartland will celebrate 15 years of honoring Truly Moving PicturesSM during the annual Festival, October 19-27 in Indianapolis. The complete film and event lineup will be announced September 7 with tickets available September 8. For information or to purchase tickets call 1-866-HFF-1010 or visit www.HeartlandFilmFestival.org.
Tremendously appealing to both heart and mind, “Amazing Grace” tells the story of William Wilberforce, a British Parliamentarian who led abolitionists in their crusade to end the slave trade in late 18th century England. The film stars Ioan Gruffudd (“Black Hawk Down”), Benedict Cumberbatch (“Hawking”), Rufus Sewell (“The Illusionist”), Romola Garai (“Vanity Fair”) and Albert Finney (“Erin Brockovich”).
The Opening Night premiere of this Samuel Goldwyn Films/Roadside Attractions and Bristol Bay Productions film will take place October 19 at the Indianapolis IMAX Theater with a matinee screening at 4:30 p.m. and an evening screening at 7:30 p.m. which includes a reception and Q&A session with the filmmakers at the Eiteljorg Museum. Tickets for the matinee screening cost $20 for adults and $15 for students with a valid ID, and evening screening tickets cost $30 for adults and $25 for students with a valid ID. A special opening night dinner – sponsored by Bright House Networks – with a cocktail reception and fine food will take place at the Eiteljorg Museum at 5:00 p.m. Dinner tickets cost $125 and include admission for the evening screening and reception.
Heartland will close its Festival celebration October 27 at the Indiana History Center with a 7 p.m. screening of Miramax Films’ “The Queen” followed by a reception at 8:45 p.m. and the announcement of the 2006 Audience Choice Award winners. Tickets cost $20.
“The Queen,” is an intimate and revealing, behind-the-scenes glimpse at the interaction between the British royal family during their struggle, following the death of Princess Diana, to reach a compromise between a private tragedy and the public's demand for an overt display of mourning. The film stars Helen Mirren as Queen Elizabeth II, James Cromwell as Prince Phillip and Michael Sheen as Tony Blair.
The Opening Night Event is made possible through the generous sponsorship of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Closing Night Event through the generous support of BitWise Solutions, Inc. and the Lacy Foundation.
| Sponsored by Printing Partners and Wild Oats Natural Marketplace, the Kids’ Movie Party on October 22 features the world premiere of “Air Buddies” at 2 p.m. and a party at 3:30 p.m. at the Indiana History Center. Kids of all ages will enjoy this tale of teamwork and adventure along with refreshments and fun activities. General admission tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children under 12. |  Air Buddies |
When dad Buddy and mom Molly are dognapped, their five adorable pups, the AIR BUDDIES, must save the day. Audiences can share in the family fun of this all-new feature full of tail-waggin’ star power like Richard Karn (TV’s “Home Improvement”), Michael Clarke Duncan (“The Green Mile”), Wallace Shawn (“Princess Bride”), Abigail Breslin (“Little Miss Sunshine”), Josh Flitter (“Greatest Game Ever Played”) with the final performances of Pat Cranshaw (Old Blue in “Old School”) and the legendary comedian Don Knotts.
About Heartland Film Festival
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 and presents cash prizes and Crystal Heart Awards to the Festival’s top entries. In 2006, Heartland will increase its total prize money to $200,000. This includes doubling its Grand Prize for Best Dramatic Feature to $100,000 and two new awards: $25,000 cash prize for Best Documentary Feature and $10,000 Vision Award for Best Short Film. The remaining $65,000 will be shared among the 2006 Crystal Heart and Jimmy Stewart Memorial Crystal Heart Award winners. The Crystal Heart Award cash prizes are made possible by the Lilly Endowment, Inc. and the Max Simon Charitable Foundation. Including the 2006 prize money, Heartland will have awarded more than $1.6 million in 15 years to support filmmakers in their quest to create Truly Moving Pictures.
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