The exterior of the Historic Artcraft Theatre in downtown Franklin during the 2022 Heartland International Film Festival. Through its relationship with Heartland Film, the Artcraft is hosting the Best of the Fest event on March 1 and 2, featuring four of the best movies from last year’s film festival.
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Just call it “Heartland South.”
Every fall, the Heartland International Film Festival brings more than 100 of the best films in the world to central Indiana.
Moviegoers can enjoy world premieres, drama and comedy, Indiana-centric films and more — each one a stirring example of exemplary storytelling.
The film festival is centered in Indianapolis. But more and more, its presence is being felt here in Johnson County.
“Audiences continue to come out, and we continue to break records,” said Greg Sorvig, artistic director for Heartland Film. “I think that’s a testament to our fans in general, to the Artcraft and to Heartland Film.”
For the 13th time, the Historic Artcraft Theatre in Franklin will host Best of the Fest, showcasing four of the most impactful films featured at the 2023 Heartland International Film Festival.
“The thing that I like most about it is that they have the trust in us,” said Dave Windisch, director of marketing for the Historic Artcraft Theatre. “The Heartland brand is so important in the film community, and they have the trust where we get a weekend to do this. They trust the audiences will come out and we’ll give them a good show.”
The centerpiece of this year’s event is a free screening of “The Holdovers,” which has garnered five Oscar nominations, including Best Picture.
But while “The Holdovers” may have the biggest name recognition, each of the other featured films pack a big punch. “Hard Miles” tells the story of how a group of troubled young men found another gear, outrode their pasts, and chose their own direction.
“Out There: A National Parks Story” follows a 10,000-mile exploration of the national parks by the filmmaker with his childhood friend during the centennial year of the formation of the National Park Service.
“Art & Soul: A Portrait of Nancy Noel” focuses on Noel, a Zionsville artist, visionary and activist.
Each one brings something special to the screen, Sorvig said.
“Looking back at all of these films, this is probably the most exciting lineup we’ve had,” he said.
The Artcraft has been teaming up with Heartland Film since 2012 to host Best of the Fest. The event was born out of Heartland Film’s desire to be more visible throughout the year all over the state of Indiana. While their Heartland International Film Festival is the centerpiece of their efforts, the event only enters the spotlight once a year. So organizers started planning more year-round activities.
That included hosting individual film events at theaters throughout Indiana. Since they started that program, the Artcraft has been one of the organization’s favorite stops, and this event has become one of the popular events on the Franklin theater’s yearly schedule.
“They know our audience may not have been able to go up to the northside, or go downtown to one of these films. But they know that they’ll come (to the Artcraft) when we bring them here,” Windisch said.
Each year, organizers try to pick a diverse slate to appeal to movie fans of all kinds. That has typically included Oscar-winning or nominated films to serve as an anchor.
This year’s selection is “The Holdovers.” The acclaimed movie is directed by Alexander Payne, who tells the story of a curmudgeonly instructor at a New England prep school, played by Paul Giamatti, who is forced to remain on campus through Christmas break to baby the handful of students with nowhere to go. Eventually, he forms an unlikely bond with one of them — a damaged, brainy troublemaker, played by newcomer Dominic Sessa — and with the school’s head cook who just lost a son in Vietnam (Da’Vine Joy Randolph).
“The Holdovers” is up for Best Picture at the Oscars, with Giamatti and Randolph also nominated for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress, respectively.
The film is being shown for free, an opportunity everyone should try to take advantage of, Windisch said.
“The studio allowed a free showing, because Heartland wanted to be sure that everyone had the chance to see it in the theater,” he said.
While “The Holdovers” serves as the centerpiece of the Best of the Fest, each of the featured films offer an extraordinary viewing experience.
“Hard Miles,” starring Matthew Modine, Sean Austin and others, is inspired by the story of Greg Townsend and the Ridgeview Academy Cycling Team. The film focuses on a teacher at a school for troubled students who inspires them by challenging his students to build their own bikes, get in shape and do a 700-mile ride.
The screening, set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, is a Brew and View event, with beer courtesy of Triton Brewing and wine courtesy of Coppola Wine. Each ticket includes either a glass of beer or wine, or a small popcorn and small soda combo.
“It’s a great deal on a fun movie that’s really suitable for almost all ages,” Windisch said.
“The Holdovers” kicks off the film fest on Saturday, but the later slate of movies are intriguing as well. “Out There: A National Parks Story” is a documentary created by Brendan Hall, who decided to explore the country’s national parks over the course of a 10,000-mile journey — all in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service.
He and his childhood friend record stories of the people that work in the parks and those that come to enjoy them.
“He just filmed what these national parks meant to people, and the connection that so many people have not only with the environment of being around these awe-inspiring places, but the people who connect with each other while they’re there,” Windisch said.
Finally, Best of the Fest closes with “Art & Soul: A Portrait of Nancy Noel.” Noel was a renowned painter, a visionary in her business, and an activist in her life. She created not just paintings, but a life that became her art’s inspiration. Through her images and their creation, audiences see the world as Noel saw it.
“She never lost track of the fact that she was telling stories of the subjects through her art. And she never lost sight that she loved what she was doing, was dedicated to what she was doing,” Windisch said.
IF YOU GO
Best of the Fest
What: A mini film festival showcasing some of the best films from the 2023 Heartland International Film Festival
When: March 1-2
Where: Historic Artcraft Theatre, 57 N. Main St., Franklin
Schedule
March 1
7:30 p.m.: “Hard Miles,” inspired by the life of Greg Townsend and the Ridgeview Academy Cycling Team, this is the story of how a group of troubled young men found another gear, outrode their pasts, and chose their own direction. This is a a Brew and View event, with beer courtesy of Triton Brewing and wine courtesy of Coppola Wine. Each ticket includes either a glass of beer or wine, or a small popcorn and small soda combo.
March 2
2 p.m.: “The Holdovers,” which follows a curmudgeonly instructor (Paul Giamatti) at a New England prep school who is forced to remain on campus through Christmas break to baby the handful of students with nowhere to go. This is a free screening.
5 p.m.: “Out There: A National Parks Story,” a documentary detailing a 10,000-mile journey to different national parks, telling the stories of the people that work in the parks and those that come to enjoy them.
7:30 p.m.: “Art & Soul: A Portrait of Nancy Noel,” a movie focused on Noel, a renowned painter from Zionsville, a visionary in her business, and an activist in her life.
Information and tickets: historicartcrafttheatre.org
