Heartland Film Festival concludes with special presentation of the “The Book Thief,” announced audience chioice and best premiere award winners.

“23 Blast” wins Audience Choice Award for Narrative Feature, “Blood Brother” and “Life According to Sam” tie for documentary feature, “The Amber Amulet” wins for narrative short and “Wrinkles of the City – La Havana” wins documentary short

INDIANAPOLIS – The 22nd Annual Heartland Film Festival (Oct. 17-26) capped off its tenth and final day on Saturday with a special presentation of 20th Century Fox’s “The Book Thief” (in theaters nationwide Nov. 8).

After its presentation of the film, Heartland presented the Truly Moving Picture Award to Director Brian Percival, the Pioneering Spirit: Rising Star Award to Actor Sophie Nélisse and the Pioneering Spirit Award (the organization’s lifetime achievement award) to Actor Geoffrey Rush.

Also announced were Heartland’s 2013 Audience Choice Award Winners and its inaugural Best Premiere Award Winners across all categories:

Audience Choice Award Winners

Narrative Feature
“23 Blast” – Dylan Baker, director

Documentary Feature (tie)
“Blood Brother” – Steve Hoover, director
“Life According to Sam” – Sean Fine & Andrea Nix Fine, directors

Narrative Short
“The Amber Amulet” – Matthew Moore, director

Documentary Short
“Running Blind” – Ryan Suffern, director

Best Premiere Award Winners

Narrative Feature ($5,000 cash prize)
“Life Inside Out” – Jill D’Agnenica, director

Documentary Feature ($5,000 cash prize)
“Little Hope Was Arson” – Theo Love, director

Narrative Short ($2,500 cash prize)
“My Guide” – Barnabás Tóth, director

Documentary Short ($2,500 cash prize)
“Wrinkles of the City – La Havana” – J.R. and José Parlá, directors

Visit HeartlandFilmFestival.org for press materials and additional information.