INDIANAPOLIS — The 35th Heartland Film Festival takes place from Oct. 8–18 at several venues, including Alamo Drafthouse Cinema at The Square, Indy Art Center, Kan-Kan Cinema, Living Room Theaters, Newfields, and the Scottish Rite Cathedral). Voted the #1 Best Film Festival by the 2026 USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards, Heartland Film Festival will feature films that reflect great stories and performances.
There will be a preview screening of “First Five,” a documentary about Coach Bob Knight’s first recruiting class at IU, on Monday, Oct. 7. “Jimmy” about Jimmy Stewart, starring KJ Apa, kicks off the festival at the Scottish Rite Cathedral on Tuesday, Oct. 8. While the show is sold out, some tickets may be made available at the last minute.
The Centerpiece Screening on Monday, Oct. 14 will be “Wild Horse Nine” at The Tobias Theater at Newfields. The film from Seachlight Pictures stars John Malkovich, Sam Rockwell and Parker Posey in this dark comedy about CIA agents who face a trust-testing mission from Santiago to Easter Island during 1973 in Chile.
The Closing Night film, “The Debut” will be shown Friday, Oct. 18 at The Tobias Theater at Newfields. While it is sold out, a limited amount of tickets might be available closer to the day. When Mona Friedman (Julianne Moore) is cast in a bit part at a small community theater, she transforms from a shy, unassuming housewife into a zealous method actor willing to do anything to protect the artistic integrity of her marginal role — even if it means waging war against the show’s domineering director (Paul Giamatti).
“Elsinore,” the deeply emotional and inspirational true story of Ian Charleson (Chariots of Fire), stars Andrew Scott, Olivia Colman, and Billie Piper, and will have two showings — Friday, Oct. 16 at Living Room Theatre, and Sunday, Oct. 18 at Alamo Drafthouse on the Square. A gifted actor whose greatest challenge becomes his greatest triumph, he faces his own mortality with unflinching honesty, wit, and grace, Charleson delivers a courageous performance that becomes a source of healing and inspiration for those around him.
Indiana Spotlight films feature Indiana-centric themes and filmmakers. The Indiana Spotlight Documentary Audience Choice Award Winner from IndyShorts “Sylvia” has two showings, Tuesday, Oct. 13 at the Alamo Drafthouse, and Saturday, Oct. 17 at Living Room Theaters. Friends, family, and members of the community reflect on the life of Sylvia Likens 60 years after her murder in Indianapolis.
Theater Screenings are $13 per ticket, virtual screenings: $15 per ticket. Premium events are $10 to $20 per ticket (such as Opening Night, Centerpiece, Closing Night, Kick-Off Party, and Awards Brunch). A Theater 10-Pack is $120 (Member Price: $96) and grants access to 10 theater screenings. A Streaming 10-Pack is $140 and grants access to 10 virtual screenings. The VIP Fest Pass is $220 (Member Price: $176) — includes 1 ticket to any in-person screening and 1 ticket to any virtual screening. The Duo Fest Pass is $430 (Member Price: $344) — includes 2 tickets to any in-person screening and 1 ticket to any virtual screening.
To see the whole line-up and order tickets, visit https://tickets.heartlandfilmfestival.org/Festival_Schedule
