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I've been attending Indy Shorts Film Festival (younger sister festival of Heartland Film Festival) since it separated from the larger festival in 2018. Each year the festival has not only shown a strength in their programming, welcoming international as well as regional filmmakers in Indiana, but it's become a summer camp of sorts for the short filmmakers out there.
Every year the festival has a theme, and this year it was "construction," with lots of pun-a-licious references around the venues including the team members in hi-vis jackets and cardboard cut outs for step-and-repeat opportunities.
This year the festival programmed 253 shorts from 36 countries, and included 42 World Premieres, 18 U.S. Premieres and 112 Midwest Premieres. Nearly all programmes featured a Q&A with filmmakers present - 280 filmmakers from all over the world attended, making it the most thriving edition to date.
It's no joke when we say it's like a summer gathering, filmmakers leaving with fresh friendships and collaborations. The last few years the festival has introduced a Speed Networking Event, allowing visiting industry professionals the chance to engage with the present filmmakers for a brief moment. But those conversations carry on well through the festival as people congregate at the two venues: The Living Room Theaters and Newfields. Let's not forget the recurring free pizza and duckpin bowling most nights too. You're never too far from a filmmaker, or a local audience member, who wants to talk about what they've just seen or where's good to grab a bite to eat.
There's a reason why this festival has been mentioned on Moviemaker Magazine's Top 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World – it really does deliver on all fronts, as an experience for the filmmaker and a curated good time for attendees.
There's something special about being in the room when you hear the Oscar-qualifying winners announced, it's a moment that forever changes these filmmakers' lives. To be there to champion them on is wonderful. The cherry on top is that all the winners get screened in the gorgeous amphitheater at Newfields as soon as dusk falls. Each year I just love the collection of winning films that are shown to audience members, some of which may have caught them already and have brought along fresh blood to see them, while others are seeing them anew.
With over $35,000 to offer up in cash prizes, as well as the recognition from several awards bodies, it proves that the short film format is still mighty strong. They also have partner programmes with The New Yorker, Shine Global and Ball State University. The thematic programming they craft is stellar. If you haven't considered submitting here before, then don't miss it next time round. There's a reason we return every year – you make friends for life here, and get the injection of enthusiasm you may be needing for short films on the circuit.
