July 22nd, 2023

The 2023 Indy Shorts International Film Festival (Indy Shorts), presented by Heartland Film, announced its award winners and presented more than $30,000 in cash prizes at its Awards Ceremony, which took place on Saturday, July 22, in Indianapolis.

This year, Shine Global and Heartland Film partnered to present the Spotlight: Children’s Resilience with Shine Global program and the Children’s Resilience in Short Film Prize. This award, presented by Shine Global, includes a $2,500 cash prize and was awarded to “Ayenda” by Marie Margolius (United States, Portugal, Afghanistan).

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 four films in the 2023 Spotlight: Children’s Resilience with Shine Global short film 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.
*WINNER

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

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.