Heartland and Indy Shorts Embrace Hoosier Hospitality

      During his college years, Greg Sorvig interned at Disney, which included a role as a tour guide at The Great Movie Ride in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

      This role didn’t ignite his love for films — that passion was kindled when he first watched Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom at age four. However, his summers at Disney instilled in him a deep appreciation for outstanding hospitality.

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

      Sorvig mentions that Disney instills a sense of hospitality in all of its theme park staff, “no matter if you are destined to be the next CEO or an intern in janitorial services.” The goal is for guests to feel welcomed by every person they encounter.

      This philosophy also aligns with that of Heartland and Indy Shorts, both of which are recognized among our 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee and 25 Coolest Film Festivals lists.

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

      Ault joined Heartland Film, which manages both festivals, nearly ten years ago after achieving significant success in healthcare fundraising. Although the Heartland Film Festival was already a well-known event — celebrating its 34th year — Ault and Sorvig made it a priority to attend film festivals worldwide in search of innovative ideas.

      One observation they made was that some festivals left filmmakers to navigate on their own, prompting them to commit to providing a better experience.

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

      Sorvig adds, “Hoosier hospitality is our greatest asset.”

      While certain festivals may benefit from a unique location, Heartland’s strength lies in its people.

      “We aren’t trying to compete with other festivals in terms of superiority or quantity,” Ault states. “We aim to cultivate our own atmosphere and a festival that is distinctly Heartland Film and Indianapolis. While we may lack mountains or oceans, what awaits you in Indianapolis is the experience and camaraderie with fellow filmmakers, celebrating the essence of what your film represents.”

      Even in the absence of mountains and oceans, Indianapolis boasts many delightful aspects, from art deco buildings to inspiring monuments and an elegant canal system. The city is home to numerous museums, including the Kurt Vonnegut Museum, dedicated to its most celebrated author, and Newfields, a 152-acre cultural venue featuring galleries and gardens that host unforgettable outdoor screenings for the festivals.

      Look up, and you'll find vibrant murals adorning building sides, while the downtown area buzzes with fans during game nights for the Indiana Pacers, Fever, and Colts.

      The city also offers unexpected surprises, like an underground bank vault used for celebrations during the latest festival editions. One of its notable locations is the Atheneum, a grand multi-use building co-designed by Vonnegut’s grandfather and considered one of the best spots in the city for a drink.

      Heartland and Indy Shorts: Constantly Evolving

      Ethan Hawke is pictured alongside Greg Sorvig and Michael Ault at Heartland Film.

      Despite the friendly atmosphere of Heartland and Indy Shorts, the festivals operate beyond just amicability. They have also become key stops for awards: Indy Shorts, which occurs every July, is Oscar qualifying in all three categories, while Heartland takes place in October as the Oscars campaign season ramps up.

      These festivals are also defined by their business savvy. No matter how much passion and love for film exist, a festival must be financially sustainable. Ault’s expertise in developing corporate relationships has significantly enhanced Heartland Film and the city of Indianapolis overall. He became president of the organization in 2021.

      Originally from just outside the city, Ault leverages his strong community ties to build a dependable sponsor network. While the festivals highlight exceptional films, they also creatively find ways to honor those sponsors.

      For instance, the recent Indy Shorts was sponsored by local business F.A. Wilhelm Construction Co., inspiring the festival to adopt a “construction” theme where attendees donned safety vests and plastic hard hats.

      Seeing Sorvig dressed up during Q&As signals that the festival organizers take the films seriously but not themselves.

      Many filmmakers make it a point to connect with Sorvig, as he also serves as a senior associate programmer for the Tribeca Festival shorts team. However, they often find it easy to connect, as both he and Ault are frequently present throughout the festival, including at the popular after-hours venue, Pins Mechanical Co., where filmmakers engage in fun rounds of duckpin bowling. This bowling alley is situated in the bustling Bottleneck District near the Living Room Theaters, which hosts most screenings.

      “I tell them, ‘We’ll have time to chat. I’ll join you for some duckpin bowling and likely be introducing your screening,’” Sor