Will Poulter to Be Honored at Heartland Film Festival (EXCLUSIVE)

Will Poulter is heading to Indianapolis to be honored at the 35th annual Heartland Film Festival.

The actor will attend a special presentation of his recent drama “Union County” from Oscilloscope Laboratories on Oct. 17. Poulter and Noah Centineo play brothers Cody and Jack Parsons who are navigating a court-mandated drug rehabilitation program in a pocket of rural Ohio hit hard by the opioid epidemic. Poulter will be recognized at the fest’s awards brunch following the screening.

The 35th edition of the Heartland Film Festival, which takes place Oct. 8-18, will showcase more than 100 independent films — 24 world/U.S. premieres, 36 regional premieres, 24 Spotlight Screenings and eight Indiana Spotlight films.

In addition to the previously announced opening night world premiere of the Jimmy Stewart biopic “Jimmy,” the festival lineup will also include “Wild Horse Nine” (Centerpiece), “The Debut” (Closing Night) in addition to major narrative, documentary and animated feature contenders, including “A Talent for Murder,” “All of a Sudden,” “Bedford Park,” “Bitter Christmas,” “Carl Sagan: We Are Made of Star Stuff,” “Clarissa,” “Elsinore,” “Gentle Monster,” “I Play Rocky,” “In Waves,” “Iron Boy,” “La Bola Negra,” “Love of Your Life,” “Mouse,” “Nuisance Bear,” “Once Upon a Time in Harlem,” “The Only Living Pickpocket in New York,” “Possible Love,” “Rehearsals for a Revolution,” “Tangles,” “Tender Loving Care” and “Union County.”

“As we celebrate the 35th Heartland Film Festival, I’m incredibly excited to share a lineup that reflects everything Heartland Film stands for: bold storytelling, unforgettable artistry and films that do more than entertain,” said Heartland’s artistic director Greg Sorvig. “This year’s festival features an extraordinary mix of premieres, major studio spotlights, acclaimed international cinema, powerful documentaries and inspiring Indiana-made stories, giving audiences the chance to discover both emerging voices and celebrated filmmakers.”

Heartland Film is a nonprofit arts organization that runs the 11-day Heartland Film Festival in October, the Academy Award-qualifying Indy Shorts Film Festival in July, the Truly Moving Picture Award and other year-round programs. Based in Indianapolis, 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 $4 million in cash prizes — the largest total amount awarded by any film festival in North America, presented 200-plus studio films with the Truly Moving Picture Award and showcased more than 2,000 feature and short films.