On Location
Heartland Film Moves Headquarters to Fort Ben
Writer / Taylor Dixon
Photographer / Amy Payne
In 2021 all of Heartland Films furniture and equipment sat in storage. The company was looking for a new location after leaving its previous offices in Broad Ripple when President Michael Ault, who transitioned into the role amid the move, first heard about the newly renovated Fort Ben Cultural Campus in Lawrence.
While looking for a location for its holiday series, Merry Movie Nights, Heartland Film toured the Fort Ben Cultural Campus and the idea of moving into the Sterrett Center was brought up. After thinking it over, Ault says moving to the developing area just made sense for the company.
When we looked at the location, with whats happening in Lawrence and whats happening on this cultural campus, it made sense for us to think about putting our footprint here, Ault says. We still have our footprint in Indianapolis for the festivals, so were not doing anything different. This is just where our offices are and where we will program events.
Heartland Film started in 1991 as a way to promote independent films that are inspirational, educational and entertaining. Through doing this, it supports local filmmakers and works with studios across the country to be a resource for artists and creators in the Midwest. It also hosts two annual film festivals at theaters across Indianapolis. The Indy Shorts International Film Festival is hosted for seven days in July and the Heartland International Film Festival lasts 11 days in October.
As Heartland Film gets settled into the new location, Ault says the company has already been busy. The first event to commemorate the new location was a ribbon cutting on February 15, with live music and tours of the new space.
Currently, Ault says they are working with the Chamber of Commerce to host an event with coffee and doughnuts once per month, and also working with local businesses to host training and company events. Heartland Film is also working with the superintendent of the Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township to implement programs for students in the area.
The fact that were on a cultural campus, that I think is very significant for us, and we like the fact that were close to some very diverse economies where we can work with our schools and businesses to really create programs and educational opportunities for youth in this area, Ault says. Were just really getting our feet wet with ideas on what we could possibly do, because this new location has a 4,500-square-foot event space in it that weve never had in our past. Now we have the ability to host different things.
Other possible events in the planning stages include movies in the park with new, high-definition screens that allow for daytime showings, and finding a way to make a mark on Lawrences iconic Winterfest.
Were really optimistic about growth and one of the things Im really excited about is just the new events that we can create here on this campus, Ault says. Were very excited about getting to know the community and the businesses here, and really engage with them and introduce ourselves.
In addition to supporting local filmmakers by providing shooting locations, Heartland Film also prides itself on helping artists gain exposure, with Fort Harrison State Park in its backyard. The winners of the Indy Shorts and Heartland festivals receive not only a cash prize, but also a chance to show off their work on one of the largest stages in the world at the Oscars. Grand-prize winners automatically get entered to be contenders for Oscar nominations. This year 12 films from both festivals were nominated in 39 different categories.
Ault says while the Oscar nominations and prizes are great, for a filmmaker, seeing work displayed on a big screen as its intended is a rewarding experience.
We are an opportunity for people who are creating films to get their films seen by lots of people in the industry, and to see it on the big screen, Ault says. I think as we have evolved with technology and iPads and cell phones that you can watch movies on, that is not how a filmmaker wants you to watch their film. A lot of people think, Oh, its just films, its just watching movies. We believe that films can be transformative for any mind, however old you are.
Upcoming Heartland Film events include the Best of the Fest, a showing of last years contest winners at the Historic Artcraft Theatre in Franklin, and the Indy Shorts International Film Festival from July 18 through 23. To learn more about Heartland Film, visit heartlandfilm.org.
