INDIANAPOLIS — Heartland Film has announced the lineup for the sixth annual Academy Award-Qualifying Indy Shorts International Film Festival (Indy Shorts), running July 18-23. Less than 4% of the films submitted to the festival are selected. This year, a record number of over 3,900 shorts were submitted, and from those, 165 shorts from 21 countries were programmed. The film lineup includes 18 World Premieres, 19 US Premieres, 54 Midwest Premieres and 47 Indiana Premieres. Screenings will be hosted at Living Room Theaters (indoor), Newfields (indoor and amphitheater), Fort Ben Cultural Campus (indoor and outdoor) and virtually. The 2023 festival is embracing a summer camp feel that promises s’more than 165 short films that are curated into 29 themed programs, with 100 filmmakers expected to attend for Q&As following the screenings. Fest Pass and tickets are now on sale at www.IndyShorts.org.
Indy Shorts is also an Academy Award-Qualifying Film Festival in all three short film categories (Live Action, Documentary and Animated). Only 34 film festivals in the world hold this designation. With a track record of 33 nominations and 10 Oscar-winning shorts, there’s a good chance attendees will see the next Academy Award-contending films first in Indianapolis. Last year, an Indiana Spotlight film, “Stranger at the Gate” won the Grand Prize for Best Short Documentary receiving its Oscar qualification. The film was then nominated for an Academy Award.
More than $30,000 in cash prizes will be awarded to filmmakers on Saturday, July 22. Selected award-winning films will be showcased at Newfields’ Amphitheater for the Summer Nights: Award Winners Program. Before the films, attendees can enjoy free HotBox Pizza and camp-themed activities.
Indy Shorts continues to establish international recognition in the film industry. Most recently, Indy Shorts was included on MovieMaker Magazine’s top 20 Best Short Film Film Festivals in the World list for 2022, as well as, their 50 Best Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee for 2023.
Indiana filmmakers and subjects will prominently be on display during the two Indiana Spotlight Programs. In addition, Indy Shorts has the privilege of partnering with ESPN Films on a Spotlight program playing at Living Room Theaters on Friday, July 21. This program explores the captivating stories behind the world of sports in this collection of documentary shorts.
From Sci-Fi and Horror to Comedy & Romance, there is a program for everyone. The full list of 29 programs include: Art for Change, Big Names Short Films, Comedy, Community, Courage & Conviction, Dark Comedy, Family Fun, Friendship, High School Film Competition, Horror, Indiana Spotlight 1, Indiana Spotlight 2, Legacy, Let’s Be Honest, Love & Romance, Memory, Oscar Shorts, Parenthood, Sci-Fi, Spotlight: Breakwater Studios, Spotlight: Children’s Resilience with Shine Global, Spotlight: Easterseals Disability Film Challenge, Spotlight: ESPN Films, Spotlight: Vanishing Angle, and Summer Vibes
