TRULY MOVING PICTURES

What is a Truly Moving Picture?

Truly Moving Pictures are films that explore the human journey by artistically expressing hope and respect for the positive values of life. These films unlock the vast potential of the human spirit and enable us to view stories that display courage, integrity and hope, taking entertainment to a higher level. A Truly Moving Picture can move you to laughter, to tears, to make a difference. These films offer heartfelt visions of life that are as hopeful as they are entertaining.

Heartland Film Festival knows filmmaking requires a leap of faith. That's why Heartland created the Truly Moving Picture Award, to honor the best of these works and to provide an incentive for studios to make more movies that focus on the positive.

Heartland created the Truly Moving Picture Award in 2000 as a way to honor theatrically-released films that align with the Festival's mission. Submissions are received directly from studios and producers for consideration. The award is given prior to the film's release with the goal of encouraging moviegoers to support the film, especially on opening weekend. A representative from each Truly Moving Picture Award film is present at the Crystal Heart Awards Gala to receive the award. Please visit our complete TRULY MOVING PICTURES LIST.

Heartland Film Festival, a non-profit organization, was established in 1991 to recognize and honor filmmakers whose work explores the human journey by artistically expressing hope and respect for the positive values of life. Each October, Heartland screens Truly Moving Pictures from around the world and presents cash prizes and Crystal Heart Awards to the Festival’s top entries. In 2006, Heartland will increase its total prize money to $200,000. This includes doubling its Grand Prize for Best Dramatic Feature to $100,000 and two new awards: a $25,000 cash prize for Best Documentary Feature and a $10,000 cash prize for Best Short Film. The remaining $65,000 will be shared among the 2006 Crystal Heart and Jimmy Stewart Memorial Crystal Heart Award winners. The Crystal Heart Award cash prizes are made possible by the Lilly Endowment, Inc. and the Max Simon Charitable Foundation. Including the 2006 prize money, Heartland will have awarded more than $1.6 million in 15 years to support filmmakers in their quest to create Truly Moving Pictures.