Heartland and Indy Shorts Celebrate Hoosier Hospitality

      In college, Greg Sorvig interned at Disney, where he had the opportunity to work as a tour guide for The Great Movie Ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

      This experience did not ignite a passion for movies — he had already developed one after viewing Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom at the age of four. However, his summers at Disney instilled in him a strong appreciation for exceptional hospitality.

      This appreciation is evident in the two Indianapolis festivals where Sorvig is the artistic director: the Heartland Film Festival and its offshoot, the Indy Shorts Film Festival.

      Sorvig emphasizes that Disney imparts lessons in hospitality to all its theme park employees “no matter if you’re the aspiring CEO or a janitorial intern.” The goal is for every visitor to feel welcomed by those they encounter.

      This philosophy also guides Heartland and Indy Shorts, both of which appear on our lists of 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee and 25 Coolest Film Festivals.

      “We want the filmmakers to feel like the stars of our show,” states Michael Ault, Heartland Film president, who oversees both festivals.

      Ault joined Heartland Film, which operates both festivals, almost ten years ago after a successful fundraising career in healthcare. The Heartland Film Festival is already well-established, recently completing its 34th year, but Ault and Sorvig made it a priority to visit film festivals globally to seek innovative ideas.

      One observation they made was that some festivals left filmmakers unsupported. They committed to improving that experience.

      “Every filmmaker attending our festival is treated like royalty — we appreciate their presence in Indianapolis to share their stories,” explains Ault.

      Sorvig adds, “Hoosier hospitality is our top priority.”

      While some festivals thrive due to their picturesque locations, the strength of Heartland lies in its people.

      “We’re not aiming to outdo other festivals or offer more than they do,” Ault notes. “Our focus is on cultivating our own unique atmosphere and festival that embodies Heartland Film and Indianapolis. We may lack mountains or oceans, but what we provide in Indianapolis is an engaging experience and a sense of community among filmmakers, celebrated through the creation of their films.”

      Despite not having mountains and oceans, the Midwestern city has its share of charming attributes, from art deco buildings to inspiring monuments and a lovely canal system. The numerous museums include the Kurt Vonnegut Museum, honoring the city’s renowned author, and Newfields, a sprawling cultural campus featuring art galleries and gardens that hosts memorable outdoor screenings for the festivals.

      Look up and you’ll notice vibrant murals adorning buildings, while the downtown area buzzes with fans of the Indiana Pacers, Fever, and Colts on game nights.

      The city also offers unexpected delights, such as an underground bank vault that hosted parties for recent festival editions. One of its standout locations is the Atheneum, an impressive multi-use facility co-designed by Vonnegut’s grandfather, which is a fantastic spot to grab a drink.

      Heartland and Indy Shorts: Constantly Evolving

      Ethan Hawke, left, with Greg Sorvig and Michael Ault. Heartland Film

      While Heartland and Indy Shorts are known for their friendliness, the festivals are not solely reliant on that aspect. They are also recognized as key stops for awards: Indy Shorts, taking place each July, qualifies for Oscars in all three categories, while Heartland occurs in October, coinciding with the Oscar campaign season.

      Their success is underpinned by sound business insight. The passion for film alone isn’t sufficient for a festival’s survival. Ault’s background in corporate relations and development has bolstered both Heartland Film and the broader Indianapolis area. He ascended to the presidency of the organization in 2021.

      Ault, who grew up near the city, utilizes his long-standing community connections to foster a dependable network of sponsors. Just as the festivals highlight exceptional films, they also creatively celebrate their sponsors.

      For instance, the latest Indy Shorts was sponsored by F.A. Wilhelm Construction Co., leading the festival to adopt a “construction” theme where participants donned safety vests and plastic hard hats.

      Sorvig often dons a costume during Q&A sessions, demonstrating that while the festival takes films seriously, it doesn’t take itself too seriously.

      Many filmmakers make a special effort to connect with Sorvig, as he also serves as a senior associate programmer for the Tribeca Festival shorts team. However, they discover that he’s easily accessible.

      He and Ault are present throughout the festival, frequently found at the popular after-hours venue Pins Mechanical Co., where filmmakers engage in fun games of duckpin bowling. The bowling alley is situated in the city's vibrant Bottleneck District, close to the Living Room Theaters, which hosts most screenings.

      “I tell them, ‘We’ll have time to chat. I’ll go duckpin bowling with you. I’ll likely be introducing your screening,’” Sorvig explains.

      Launching Indy Shorts

      Greg Sorvig speaks. Heartland Film