PRESS RELEASES
New Heartland Film Embraces Humanity
February 21, 2007
Indianapolis, IN—According to the Indianapolis-based Heartland Film Festival®, AMAZING GRACE will touch audiences’ hearts with its poignant and courageous story. That is why Heartland is honoring the film from Samuel Goldwyn Films, Roadside Attractions and Bristol Bay Productions’ with its prestigious Truly Moving Picture Award. The award recognizes theatrically-released films that exemplify excellence in filmmaking and meet Heartland’s mission. It is given prior to a film's release with the goal of encouraging moviegoers to support the film, especially on opening weekend. |
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"Heartland is proud to recognize such an important story with our Truly Moving Picture Award," said Jeffrey L. Sparks, President and CEO of Heartland Film Festival. “’Amazing Grace’ is a powerful retelling of a pivotal point in the abolition of slavery and one man's courage to stand up in the midst of overwhelming opposition. We hope our audiences will make it a priority to see this Truly Moving Picture as soon as it comes to their local theaters."
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. Other recent Truly Moving Picture Award recipients include the upcoming “Beyond the Gates” (formerly “Shooting Dogs”), “Bridge to Terabithia” and “The Ultimate Gift.” To view Heartland’s complete list of Truly Moving PicturesSM, visit www.TrulyMovingPictures.org.
Heartland and the National Collaboration for Youth (NCY) also selected “Amazing Grace” as part of 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 “Amazing Grace” movie and program, and to download the youth development activity guide, visit www.youthfilmproject.org.
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“Amazing Grace,” from acclaimed director Michael Apted, tells the inspiring story of how one man’s passion and perseverance changed the world. |
Based on the true life story of William Wilberforce (Ioan Gruffudd), a leader of the British abolition movement, the film chronicles his epic struggle to pass a law to end the slave trade in the late 18th century. Along the way, Wilberforce meets intense opposition from members of Parliament who feel the slave trade is tied to the stability of the British Empire. Several friends, including Wilberforce’s minister, John Newton (Albert Finney), a reformed slave ship captain who penned the beloved hymn Amazing Grace, urge him to see the cause through.
Written by Academy Award® nominee Steven Knight, the film boasts a tremendous ensemble cast including Benedict Cumberbatch, Romola Garai, Rufus Sewell, Michael Gambon, Ciarin Hinds, Toby Jones and Youssour N'Dour. Executive Producer is Jeanney Kim, with Mark Cooper as co-producer. Producers on the film are Terrance Malick and Ed Pressman under their Sunflower Productions banner, Patricia Heaton and David Hunt for FourBoys Films, and Ken Wales.
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 $200,000 in cash prizes and Crystal Heart Awards to the Festival’s top entries. This includes a $100,000 Grand Prize for Best Dramatic Feature underwritten by the Max Simon Charitable Foundation, a $25,000 Award for Best Documentary Feature and a $10,000 Vision Award for Best Short Film underwritten by Vision Racing. The remaining $65,000 is shared among the Crystal Heart and Jimmy Stewart Memorial Crystal Heart Award winners. Heartland has awarded more than $1.6 million in 15 years to support filmmakers in their quest to create Truly Moving Pictures.
Local/Regional Relations Lisa Dudeck |
National Public Relations Lynda Dorf / Alfred Hopton |