Heartland Film Festival Ready to Roll

Organizers say they received a record 2

The 25th annual Heartland Film Festival gets underway this evening in Indianapolis. The event will feature more than 130 films over 11 days at screenings throughout the city.

Organizers say they received a record 2,535 submissions from 92 countries. Heartland Film President Craig Prater says they have "crafted a fantastic lineup of 138 movies that not only embody the founding spirit of Heartland, but also show what we have grown to become over the past two-and-a-half decades." Since the inaugural event in 1992, Heartland has awarded $3 million in prize money to independent filmmakers, which it says is more than any other film festival in North America.

The festival begins this evening with a screening of "The Book of Love" at the Scottish Rite Cathedral, which includes a scheduled appearance by actress Jessica Biel.

Other highlighted events include the festival’s 25th anniversary celebration Friday at AMC Castleton Square, the awards party on Saturday, October 29 at the same theater and the Filmmakers’ Brunch on Sunday, October 30 at Sheraton Indianapolis at Keystone at the Crossing.

You can find the film lineup and schedule by clicking here.