PRESS RELEASES
Heartland adds “Everyone's Hero ” to Truly Moving Picture List
September 29, 2006
Twentieth Century Fox’s film is newest Truly Moving Picture Award recipient and the
fifth film in Heartland/ NCY F.I.L.M. project
Indianapolis, IN – According to the Indianapolis-based Heartland Film Festival®, moviegoers should add “Everyone’s Hero” to their list of must-see films this weekend. Heartland is honoring the animated adventure from Twentieth Century Fox with its Truly Moving Picture Award. The Award is given exclusively to theatrically-released films that tell stories of courage, integrity and hope with the goal of inspiring more studio films to focus on the positive. “Everyone’s Hero” joins an elite and ever-expanding list of films to receive the Award and be deemed a Truly Moving Picture by Heartland.
"Heartland is excited to award and support this animated story of friendship between a boy, a bat and a ball," said Jeffrey L. Sparks, president and CEO of the Heartland Film Festival. "In giving this film our award, we hope not only to ignite the imaginations of young boys and girls, but also to recognize the talent of the late Christopher Reeve."
In “Everyone’s Hero,” a young boy (Jake T. Austin) finds himself at an extraordinary crossroads: he has a chance to be a hero – and make a difference against incredible odds – or he can play it safe. With faith in himself instilled by his family, he teams up with a sassy young girl (Raven-Symone) and some off-the-wall sidekicks and embarks on a sometimes perilous, often funny, cross-country quest. In the process, he restores his family’s honor, befriends the world’s biggest sports superstar, and reveals the hero within. Christopher Reeve was the original director on this computer-generated animated feature, the late actor-director’s dream project. “Everyone’s Hero” is scheduled to open nationwide on September 15.
Heartland created the Truly Moving Picture Award as a way to honor theatrically-released films that demonstrate the Heartland purpose with excellence, inspiring and enriching lives. Submissions are received directly from studios and producers for consideration. Since the industry decides a film’s success based on the opening weekend box office, Heartland encourages audiences to attend a Truly Moving Picture on its first weekend.
“Everyone’s Hero” joins other 2006 Truly Moving Picture Award recipients “Cars,” “Glory Road,” “The Lake House,” “Lassie,” “Nanny McPhee,” “Saving Shiloh,” “Sophie Scholl – The Final Days,” “Take the Lead” and “Tsotsi.” Forty-seven (47) films have been honored since the Award’s inception in 2000. To view Heartland’s complete list of Truly Moving PicturesSM, visit www.TrulyMovingPictures.org.
Heartland and the National Collaboration for Youth (NCY) have also selected “Everyone’s Hero” as the fifth film in their collaborative program called F.I.L.M., “Finding Inspiration in Literature and Movies.” The literacy and film program encourages youth associated with NCY organizations around the country to screen the program’s featured films, read the books/scripts associated with the movies, utilize the activity guides and partake in related service projects. Heartland and NCY hope that by participating in F.I.L.M, youth will gain an appreciation for literature and film and will be inspired to realize their full capabilities. To learn more about the Everyone's Hero movie and program and to download the youth development activity guide, visit www.youthfilmproject.org.
Heartland Film Festival will celebrate 15 years of honoring Truly Moving Pictures during the annual Festival, October 19-27, 2006 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Visit www.HeartlandFilmFestival.org to learn more about Heartland and this year’s anniversary celebration.
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 presents cash prizes and Crystal Heart Awards to the Festival’s top entries. In 2006, Heartland will increase its total prize money to $200,000. This includes doubling its Grand Prize for Best Dramatic Feature to $100,000 and two new awards: a $25,000 cash prize for Best Documentary Feature and a $10,000 Vision Award for Best Short Film. The $100,000 Grand Prize Award is underwritten by the Max Simon Charitable Foundation and the Vision Award is underwritten by Vision Racing. The remaining $65,000 will be shared among the 2006 Crystal Heart and Jimmy Stewart Memorial Crystal Heart Award winners. Including the 2006 prize money, Heartland will have awarded more than $1.6 million in 15 years to support filmmakers in their quest to create Truly Moving Pictures.
National Collaboration for Youth
The National Collaboration for Youth (NCY), a 30-year old organization, is a coalition of the National Assembly member organizations that have a significant interest in youth development. Members of the National Collaboration for Youth include more than forty national, non-profit, youth development organizations. The mission of NCY is to provide a united voice as advocates for youth to improve the conditions of young people in America, and to help young people reach their full potential. Collectively, the member organizations of the National Collaboration for Youth serve more than 40 million young people, employ over 100,000 paid staff, utilize more than six million volunteers and have a physical presence in virtually every community in America.
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