June 22, 2023

Shine Global is delighted to announce a partnership with Heartland Film’s Indy Shorts International Film Festival on a Spotlight: Children’s Resilience program as part Shine Global’s 2023 Children’s Resilience in Film Awards.

The sixth annual Academy Award®-Qualifying Indy Shorts International Film Festival (Indy Shorts), runs July 18-23, 2023.  With a track record of 33 nominations and 10 Oscar®-winning shorts, there’s a good chance attendees will see the next Academy Award®-contending films first in Indianapolis. The film lineup includes 18 World Premieres, 19 US Premieres, 54 Midwest Premieres and 47 Indiana Premieres.  Indy Shorts continues to establish international recognition in the film industry. Most recently, Indy Shorts was included on MovieMaker Magazine’s top 20 Best Short Film Film Festivals in the World list for 2022, as well as their 50 Best Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee for 2023.

Shine Global is renowned for its impactful documentaries that tackle important social issues affecting children. Through their compelling storytelling, Shine Global’s films have garnered critical acclaim and have been recognized globally for their ability to create positive change. Shine Global’s Children’s Resilience in Film Awards recognize and celebrate the films and filmmakers that highlight the resilience and strength of children in the face of adversity. The 2023 edition of the event features screenings of finalist films in NYC from September 28-October 1 and a VIP Awards Show in Los Angeles on October 3.

The collaboration between Heartland Film Indy Shorts and Shine Global aims to shed light on the unique challenges faced by children and the remarkable strength they possess to overcome adversity. This year, the festival will feature Spotlight: Children’s Resilience with Shine Global program. The films featured in the program will provide audiences with an immersive and empathetic experience, allowing them to connect with the stories of children from diverse backgrounds and cultures. The winning film of the program will receive a cash prize and be honored again as part of Shine Global’s Children’s Resilience in Film Awards this fall.

“We are excited to collaborate with Heartland Film Indy Shorts to bring attention to the inspiring stories of children’s resilience from around the world,” said Susan MacLaury, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Shine Global. “Film has a unique ability to create empathy and understanding, and we believe that by highlighting these stories, we can contribute to a more compassionate and inclusive world.”

The four films in the Spotlight: Children’s Resilience with Shine Global program are:

Ayenda | 2023 | United States, Portugal, Afghanistan | Marie Margolius | Midwest Premiere
Summer 2021 – As Kabul falls to the Taliban, members of the Under-18 Afghan National Women’s Football Team attempt a daring evacuation from their homeland.

Barricade | 2023 | UK | Alice Johannessen | World Premiere
After experiencing a traumatic event on her school bus, Aleena bottles up her anger until a chance connection triggers a small act of rebellion.

Lunchbox | 2022 | USA | Anne Hu | Indiana Premiere
When a Taiwanese American woman prepares lunches from her childhood, she struggles to forgive herself for pushing away her immigrant mother.

Translators | 2023 | United States | Rudy Valdez | Midwest Premiere
In the United States, there are over 11 million child translators. Our story follows Harye, Densel, and Virginia as they translate for their parents in everyday situations.

The film program is playing Sunday, July 23, 2023 5:15 PM EDT at the Living Room Theaters in Indianapolis and virtually online beginning July 18^th.  To purchase tickets for the in-person program click here and for the virtual program click here.

For more information about the Heartland Film Indy Shorts Program and the complete 2023 lineup, please visit https://www.heartlandfilm.org/indyshorts

For more information about the 2023 Children’s Resilience in Film Awards and to submit a feature film by June 30th, 2023, please visit https://filmfreeway.com/ShineGlobalChildrensResilienceinFilm/.

About Shine Global

Shine Global is a non-profit media company that gives voice to children and their families by telling their stories of resilience to raise awareness, promote action, and inspire change. We produce inspiring films and compelling content about underserved children. Through tailored distribution and outreach, we connect with our audiences in communities, classrooms, museums, and on Capitol Hill as part of a powerful engagement campaign to encourage social change.

Since its founding in 2005, Shine Global films have won more than 100 major awards, including an Academy Award® for Best Documentary Short Subject for Inocente and an Academy Award®-nomination and two Emmys® for War/Dance. Recent films include the documentary-animation hybrid Liyana, the hit documentary The Eagle Huntress, Through Our Eyes: Homefront which is available on HBOMax, and Home Is Somewhere Else which is currently in festivals.

About Heartland Film, Inc.
Heartland Film is a nonprofit arts organization that runs the 11-day Heartland International Film Festival in October, the Academy Award®-Qualifying Indy Shorts International Film Festival in July, the Truly Moving Picture Award and other year-round programs. Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, Heartland Film was founded in 1991 with the mission to curate, promote and celebrate thoughtful and engaging films from diverse perspectives. Over the years, Heartland Film has presented $3.5 million in cash prizes – the largest total amount awarded by any film festival in North America – presented 200+ studio films with the Truly Moving Picture Award, and showcased more than 2,000 feature and short films, including ten Oscar®-winning short film titles. The 32nd Heartland International Film Festival is scheduled for October 5-15, 2023, and the 6th Indy Shorts International Film Festival was held July 18-23, 2023. For more information, visit HeartlandFilm.org.