INDIANAPOLIS — The 2023 Indy Shorts International Film Festival (Indy Shorts), presented by Heartland Film, concluded on Sunday, July 23, with a record number of film submissions (3,900+), filmmakers in attendance (160) and sold-out screenings (23). Indy Shorts also saw a 40% increase in attendance from 2022.
The Academy Award-Qualifying festival announced its award winners and presented more than $30,000 in cash prizes at its Awards Ceremony, which took place on Saturday, July 23, at Tinker House Events. The Festival’s three Grand Prize-winning films, “We Were Meant To” (Tari Wariebi, United States), “Oasis” (Justine Martin, France) and “Rosemary A.D. (After Dad)” (Ethan Barrett, United States), will receive Academy Award qualification in their respective categories and $5,000 in cash prizes.
The Audience Choice Award-winning films were announced on Monday, July 24. The Overall Audience Choice Award went to “To My Father” (Sean Schiavolin, United States), which depicts Deaf actor Troy Kotsur’s journey to winning an Oscar and his father’s inspiring influence on him, despite a tragic accident.
Academy Award-winning director Ben Proudfoot attended the Awards Celebration and was presented with the Indy Shorts Pioneering Spirit Award. This award honors individuals in the prime of their careers. Ben Proudfoot’s short documentary, “Forgiving Johnny,” World Premiered at Indy Shorts.
The Children’s Resilience in Short Film Prize is a new addition to the awards program. This award, presented by Shine Global, includes a $2,500 cash prize and was awarded to “Ayenda” by Marie Margolius (United States, Portugal, Afghanistan).
Indy Shorts also introduced a brand new cash award in honor of longtime film critic and activist Richard. D Propes. Since 1989, Indianapolis native Richard Propes has traveled over 5,000 miles by wheelchair, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for charities worldwide in his nationally recognized effort known as the Tenderness Tour. A paraplegic/double amputee with spina bifida, Propes is in his 34th year of the acclaimed event while also being the founder and publisher of TheIndependentCritic.com and a member of the Indiana Film Journalists Association. The Richard D. Propes Social Impact Award and $1,000 cash prize went to “The Deciding Vote” (Jeremy Workman and Robert Lyons, United States).
The 32nd Heartland International Film Festival, presented by Heartland Film, is scheduled for October 5-15, 2023.
