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PRESS RELEASE
Heartland Film Festival and Lilly Endowment Champion Truly Moving Pictures
Heartland Film Festival® is now poised to take Truly Moving Pictures to a position of national impact and prominence due to a significant financial investment from Lilly Endowment Inc. The award of a $3.7 million capacity-building grant to support several broad-based initiatives was announced today by Lilly Endowment and Heartland Film Festival. The gift is one of the most significant awards ever given to a film festival and the largest Heartland has received from the Endowment.
"We have taken a thorough look at where Heartland is and what it will take to make the Festival and Truly Moving Pictures part of the fabric of American society," said Ava Memmen, chairman of the Heartland Film Festival Board. "We are thrilled to have Lilly Endowment affirm the accomplishments of Heartland during the last 14 years and look forward to the challenge of taking Heartland to the next level by having a national presence."
An executive strategy group comprising Heartland staff and Board members, Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson, President of Castle Rock Entertainment Greg Paul, Emmis Communications CEO Jeff Smulyan and several local business leaders provided direction on the submitted proposal. The result was the creation of a strategic vision that generated the Endowment's generous financial support.
"From its beginnings, Lilly Endowment has been interested in the forces that shape one's character," said N. Clay Robbins, the Endowment's president. "As we believe that films have the power to influence the formation of one's character and values, the Endowment is encouraged by the mission of the Heartland Film Festival to support filmmakers who dramatize the range of challenges and joys that are part of the human condition in thoughtful and constructive ways," added Robbins. "We have been impressed by the passion and vision of Jeff Sparks and the growing sophistication of the organization's efforts to engage key opinion shapers in the film industry, important national youth networks and our local community in expanding the impact of its work. We are therefore pleased to support its new strategic directions with this grant."
"We are privileged to have an arts organization and world-class event like Heartland Film Festival as part of our city and community," said Mayor Bart Peterson. "Since it began in 1991, Heartland has generated excitement and economic activity in Indianapolis, and it continues to attract filmmakers and film lovers from around the world, offering visitors and residents an opportunity to experience the spirit of Indianapolis and filmmaking at its finest. I'd like to thank Lilly Endowment for their continued support of Heartland Film Festival and organizations that contribute to our effort to make Indianapolis a culturally-vibrant community to live in and visit."
"To be a world-class city, you need world-class events, and the Heartland Film Festival plays a vital role in making Indianapolis a vibrant community that will attract investment and attract talented workers," said Jeff Smulyan, Emmis Communications CEO. "The Festival helps every area of our region's development."
Heartland will use the Endowment gift to enhance daily procedures, expand programs, strengthen community and national partnerships and build financial capacity and sustainability. Heartland will also develop additional opportunities to support and nurture the growth of filmmakers in their quest to make Truly Moving Pictures. This includes establishing itself as an internationally-recognized resource for filmmakers and a premier showcase for their films.
"This grant will enhance Heartland's ability to make a difference in the film community, both in Hollywood and among independent filmmakers," said Greg Paul, President of Castle Rock Entertainment. "It allows Heartland to raise the profile of its Truly Moving Pictures initiative and expand its marketing collaboration with the studios. It also provides incentives and encouragement to individual filmmakers."
Additionally, Heartland hopes to strengthen a nationwide grassroots effort with the National Collaboration for Youth (NCY). Comprising 50 national youth serving organizations like YMCA of the USA and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, NCY member agencies reach more than 40 million youth each year. The purpose of the Heartland /NCY program is to collaborate with filmmakers, publishers and writers to develop materials and activities for youth around a chosen book/film combination. The Newbery award winner "Because of Winn-Dixie" served as the inaugural project and involved youth from five NCY member agencies - Camp Fire, Girls Scouts, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Clubs and Communities in Schools - in 49 communities.
"This past year, we piloted an effort to involve youth with a great story by encouraging them to read, to make good choices about films and to learn from the lessons of these great stories. The response and enthusiasm for the 'Because of Winn-Dixie' book and film were extremely high," said Irv Katz, president of the Washington, DC-based National Collaboration for Youth. "The new Lilly Endowment grant will allow us to expand upon this great start, selecting high-quality pictures along with the corresponding books or screenplays, creating curricula and programming around them so that good films-good books become integrated into good programming for youth across the country." Micheal Flaherty, president and co-founder of Walden Media, said, "The Heartland Film Festival has been an invaluable partner to Walden Media, both through its support of our films and in our collaboration on the highly successful Because of You! reading program. We commend them on their well-deserved grant and look forward to continuing our fruitful partnership in the years to come."
The Festival continues to grow in size, scope and reputation due to pilot programs like Because of You! and through the efforts of staff, volunteers, board members and philanthropic benefactors. Film entries, attendance at screenings and the Heartland volunteer base have shown a steady increase during the past five years. "This growth indicates the ever-increasing demand to see more films that celebrate the best aspects of the human spirit," said Jeffrey L. Sparks, president of Heartland Film Festival. "This grant will help Heartland Film Festival position itself as a nationally-recognized champion of Truly Moving Pictures."
About Lilly Endowment
Founded in 1937, the Endowment is an Indianapolis-based private philanthropic foundation, which supports its founders' interests in the causes of education, community development and religion. For more information on the Endowment, visit www.lillyendowment.org.
About Heartland Film Festival
Heartland Film Festival, a non-profit organization, was established in 1991 to recognize and honor filmmakers whose work explores the human journey by artistically expressing hope and respect for the positive values of life. Each October, Heartland screens Truly Moving Pictures from around the world and awards more than $100,000 in cash prizes and Crystal Heart Awards to the Festival's top entries, including a $50,000 grand prize for best dramatic feature. The Jimmy Stewart Memorial Crystal Heart Award winners for the best student films and the Crystal Heart Award winners share the remaining money. The Crystal Heart Award cash prizes are given in honor of Max Simon by his parents, Melvin and Bren Simon, through the Max Simon Charitable Foundation. In 14 years, Heartland has awarded more than $1.4 million to support filmmakers in their quest to create Truly Moving Pictures.
Return to list of press releases
For more information, please contact:
National and Local Public Relations
Lisa Dudeck
three-sixty group
Indianapolis, Indiana
Phone: (317) 633-1456
Fax: (317) 633-1461
E-mail: lisa@360grouponline.com
Heartland Film Festival® is now poised to take Truly Moving Pictures to a position of national impact and prominence due to a significant financial investment from Lilly Endowment Inc. The award of a $3.7 million capacity-building grant to support several broad-based initiatives was announced today by Lilly Endowment and Heartland Film Festival. The gift is one of the most significant awards ever given to a film festival and the largest Heartland has received from the Endowment.
"We have taken a thorough look at where Heartland is and what it will take to make the Festival and Truly Moving Pictures part of the fabric of American society," said Ava Memmen, chairman of the Heartland Film Festival Board. "We are thrilled to have Lilly Endowment affirm the accomplishments of Heartland during the last 14 years and look forward to the challenge of taking Heartland to the next level by having a national presence."
An executive strategy group comprising Heartland staff and Board members, Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson, President of Castle Rock Entertainment Greg Paul, Emmis Communications CEO Jeff Smulyan and several local business leaders provided direction on the submitted proposal. The result was the creation of a strategic vision that generated the Endowment's generous financial support.
"From its beginnings, Lilly Endowment has been interested in the forces that shape one's character," said N. Clay Robbins, the Endowment's president. "As we believe that films have the power to influence the formation of one's character and values, the Endowment is encouraged by the mission of the Heartland Film Festival to support filmmakers who dramatize the range of challenges and joys that are part of the human condition in thoughtful and constructive ways," added Robbins. "We have been impressed by the passion and vision of Jeff Sparks and the growing sophistication of the organization's efforts to engage key opinion shapers in the film industry, important national youth networks and our local community in expanding the impact of its work. We are therefore pleased to support its new strategic directions with this grant."
"We are privileged to have an arts organization and world-class event like Heartland Film Festival as part of our city and community," said Mayor Bart Peterson. "Since it began in 1991, Heartland has generated excitement and economic activity in Indianapolis, and it continues to attract filmmakers and film lovers from around the world, offering visitors and residents an opportunity to experience the spirit of Indianapolis and filmmaking at its finest. I'd like to thank Lilly Endowment for their continued support of Heartland Film Festival and organizations that contribute to our effort to make Indianapolis a culturally-vibrant community to live in and visit."
"To be a world-class city, you need world-class events, and the Heartland Film Festival plays a vital role in making Indianapolis a vibrant community that will attract investment and attract talented workers," said Jeff Smulyan, Emmis Communications CEO. "The Festival helps every area of our region's development."
Heartland will use the Endowment gift to enhance daily procedures, expand programs, strengthen community and national partnerships and build financial capacity and sustainability. Heartland will also develop additional opportunities to support and nurture the growth of filmmakers in their quest to make Truly Moving Pictures. This includes establishing itself as an internationally-recognized resource for filmmakers and a premier showcase for their films.
"This grant will enhance Heartland's ability to make a difference in the film community, both in Hollywood and among independent filmmakers," said Greg Paul, President of Castle Rock Entertainment. "It allows Heartland to raise the profile of its Truly Moving Pictures initiative and expand its marketing collaboration with the studios. It also provides incentives and encouragement to individual filmmakers."
Additionally, Heartland hopes to strengthen a nationwide grassroots effort with the National Collaboration for Youth (NCY). Comprising 50 national youth serving organizations like YMCA of the USA and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, NCY member agencies reach more than 40 million youth each year. The purpose of the Heartland /NCY program is to collaborate with filmmakers, publishers and writers to develop materials and activities for youth around a chosen book/film combination. The Newbery award winner "Because of Winn-Dixie" served as the inaugural project and involved youth from five NCY member agencies - Camp Fire, Girls Scouts, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Clubs and Communities in Schools - in 49 communities.
"This past year, we piloted an effort to involve youth with a great story by encouraging them to read, to make good choices about films and to learn from the lessons of these great stories. The response and enthusiasm for the 'Because of Winn-Dixie' book and film were extremely high," said Irv Katz, president of the Washington, DC-based National Collaboration for Youth. "The new Lilly Endowment grant will allow us to expand upon this great start, selecting high-quality pictures along with the corresponding books or screenplays, creating curricula and programming around them so that good films-good books become integrated into good programming for youth across the country." Micheal Flaherty, president and co-founder of Walden Media, said, "The Heartland Film Festival has been an invaluable partner to Walden Media, both through its support of our films and in our collaboration on the highly successful Because of You! reading program. We commend them on their well-deserved grant and look forward to continuing our fruitful partnership in the years to come."
The Festival continues to grow in size, scope and reputation due to pilot programs like Because of You! and through the efforts of staff, volunteers, board members and philanthropic benefactors. Film entries, attendance at screenings and the Heartland volunteer base have shown a steady increase during the past five years. "This growth indicates the ever-increasing demand to see more films that celebrate the best aspects of the human spirit," said Jeffrey L. Sparks, president of Heartland Film Festival. "This grant will help Heartland Film Festival position itself as a nationally-recognized champion of Truly Moving Pictures."
About Lilly Endowment
Founded in 1937, the Endowment is an Indianapolis-based private philanthropic foundation, which supports its founders' interests in the causes of education, community development and religion. For more information on the Endowment, visit www.lillyendowment.org.
About Heartland Film Festival
Heartland Film Festival, a non-profit organization, was established in 1991 to recognize and honor filmmakers whose work explores the human journey by artistically expressing hope and respect for the positive values of life. Each October, Heartland screens Truly Moving Pictures from around the world and awards more than $100,000 in cash prizes and Crystal Heart Awards to the Festival's top entries, including a $50,000 grand prize for best dramatic feature. The Jimmy Stewart Memorial Crystal Heart Award winners for the best student films and the Crystal Heart Award winners share the remaining money. The Crystal Heart Award cash prizes are given in honor of Max Simon by his parents, Melvin and Bren Simon, through the Max Simon Charitable Foundation. In 14 years, Heartland has awarded more than $1.4 million to support filmmakers in their quest to create Truly Moving Pictures.
Return to list of press releases
For more information, please contact:
National and Local Public Relations
Lisa Dudeck
three-sixty group
Indianapolis, Indiana
Phone: (317) 633-1456
Fax: (317) 633-1461
E-mail: lisa@360grouponline.com
