PRESS RELEASES
Acclaimed Director Michael Apted and Producer Ken Wales to Attend U.S. Premiere of “Amazing Grace” at Heartland Film Festival
October 12, 2006
| Indianapolis, IN – Actors Jon Voight (“Glory Road,” “National Treasure”), Julia Jentsch (“Sophie Scholl – The Final Days”) and Lee Meriwether (“The Ultimate Gift,” “The Love Boat”) along with Director Michael Apted (“Nell,” “The World is Not Enough”) and "Extra" correspondent Carlos Diaz are among those scheduled to attend the 2006 Heartland Film Festival®, October 19-27. Heartland will welcome more than 100 guests to Indianapolis for the 15th anniversary celebration. These actors, filmmakers and industry insiders connected to Festival films and events represent some of the finest in filmmaking talent from around the world. |  |
The 2006 Festival features an exciting lineup of special events and screenings for film buffs of all ages. It will kick off October 19 in Hollywood style with the U.S. premiere of Heartland’s newest Truly Moving Picture Award recipient “Amazing Grace” by Samuel Goldwyn Films, Roadside Attractions and Bristol Bay Productions. Director Michael Apted and Producer Ken Wales (“Breakfast at Tiffany's,” “East of Eden”) are scheduled to arrive on the red carpet and after the screening Sharon Swart, Special Editor for “Variety,” will host a question and answer session with the filmmakers. The Festival will close on October 27 with a sold-out screening of Miramax Films’ “The Queen,” also a Truly Moving Picture Award winner. The Festival will present a black tie Crystal Heart Awards Gala emceed by Carlos Diaz with presenter Judy Stewart and award recipients Jon Voight, Lee Meriwether, Julia Jentsch and Producer Debra Martin Chase (“The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,” “The Princess Diaries”); the world premiere of "Air Buddies" with Producer and Writer Anna McRoberts at the Kids' Movie Party; an exclusive peek of clips from the much-anticipated New Line Cinema film “The Nativity Story” with Director Catherine Hardwicke (“Thirteen,” “Lords of Dogtown”); an insightful education seminar with industry-veteran Steven Gaydos, Executive Editor, Features, "Variety"; and much more.
For 15 years, the goal of Heartland has remained the same: to positively impact American culture through film. That is why Heartland honors films and filmmakers that celebrate the best aspects of the human journey. This year Heartland will feature 17 Crystal Heart Award winners selected from a record 647 international submissions. The visionaries behind the winning films will be in Indianapolis to accept their awards and cash prizes, including: Adam Abel, "Outlaw Trail"; Anna Christopher, "Queen of Cactus Cove"; Rick Eldridge, "The Ultimate Gift"; Charlie Ebersol, "Ithuteng {never stop learning}"; Willie Ebersol, "Ithuteng {never stop learning}"; Andy Erwin, "The Cross and the Towers"; Jon Erwin, "The Cross and the Towers"; Scott Galloway, "A Man Named Pearl"; David George, "Secret of the Cave"; Hilary Glaholt, “Shade”; Zach Gray, “Secret of the Cave”; Varda Hardy, "Window"; Bob Hercules, "Forgiving Dr. Mengele"; Frank Kelly, "Emily’s Song"; Kip Kroeger, "Ithuteng {never stop learning}"; Ryan Little, "Outlaw Trail"; Ilkka Matila, "Mother of Mine"; Joel Nassan, "Wednesday"; Brent Pierson, "A Man Named Pearl"; Cheri Pugh, “Forgiving Dr. Mengele”; Diego Quemada-Diez, "I Want to Be a Pilot"; Matt Ruskin, "The Hip Hop Project"; Cristine Spindler, "Sirah"; and David Wolstencroft, "Shooting Dogs."
Additional celebrities, filmmakers and industry professionals scheduled to attend the Festival include (but are not limited to): Todd Coleman (“Thanksgiving”); actor Mel England (“Little Big Top”); Karina Epperlein, (“Phoenix Dance”); featured individual Pearl Fryar (“A Man Named Pearl”); featured individual Archie Khambula (“Ithuteng {never stop learning}”); actress Arielle Kebbel (“Outlaw Trail”); actor Ryan Kelley (“Outlaw Trail”); Susan Koch, (“Mario’s Story”); featured individual Eva Mozes Kor (“Forgiving Dr. Mengele”); featured individual Diana “Princess” Lemon (“The Hip Hop Project”); actor Kevin Navotny (“Secret of the Cave”); Seth Packard, (“Fire Creek”); Greg Paul, President of Castle Rock Entertainment; Ward Roberts (“Little Big Top”); Jessica Slagle (“Little Big Top”); Rick Stevenson (“Expiration Date”); and actor Brent Weber (“Outlaw Trail”).
Limited special event tickets are available now through October 13. Screening tickets will be available at the theaters during the Festival and at select central Indiana Marsh Supermarkets. Call toll-free 1.866.HFF.1010 or visit www.HeartlandFilmFestival.org for information on the 15th annual 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: a $25,000 cash prize for Best Documentary Feature and a $10,000 Vision Award for Best Short Film. The $100,000 Grand Prize Award is underwritten by the Max Simon Charitable Foundation and the Vision Award is underwritten by Vision Racing. The remaining $65,000 will be shared among the 2006 Crystal Heart and Jimmy Stewart Memorial Crystal Heart Award winners. 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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