PRESS RELEASES
New Heartland Film Enchants Audiences
February 12 , 2007
Indianapolis, IN — According to the Indianapolis-based Heartland Film Festival®, Bridge to Terabithia will capture audiences’ imaginations and touch their hearts with its enchanting and courageous story. That is why Heartland is honoring the Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media film with its prestigious Truly Moving Picture Award. The award recognizes theatrically-released films that exemplify excellence in filmmaking and meet Heartland’s mission. |
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It is given prior to a film's release with the goal of encouraging moviegoers to support the film, especially on opening weekend. “Bridge to Terabithia” opens nationwide on February 16.
“It isn’t often enough that a film touches the heart so deeply and moves us to realize how precious and amazing life is like our newest Truly Moving Picture Award winner, ‘Bridge to Terabithia,’” said Jeffrey L. Sparks, President and CEO of Heartland Film Festival. “This is a movie that should not be missed. It is faithful to the book and one of the most moving pictures I have seen in a long time.”
Heartland created the Truly Moving Picture Award as a way to honor theatrically-released films that demonstrate the Heartland purpose with excellence, inspiring and enriching lives. Submissions are received directly from studios and producers for consideration. Since the industry decides a film’s success based on the opening weekend box office, Heartland encourages audiences to attend a Truly Moving Picture on its first weekend. Other Truly Moving Picture Award recipients include the upcoming “Amazing Grace,” “Beyond the Gates” (formerly known as “Shooting Dogs”) and “The Ultimate Gift.” To view Heartland’s complete list of Truly Moving PicturesSM, visit www.TrulyMovingPictures.org.
Heartland and the National Collaboration for Youth (NCY) also selected “Bridge to Terabithia” as part of their collaborative program called F.I.L.M., “Finding Inspiration in Literature and Movies.” The literacy and film program encourages youth associated with NCY organizations around the country to screen the program’s featured films, read the books/scripts associated with the movies, utilize the activity guides and partake in related service projects. Heartland and NCY hope that by participating in F.I.L.M, youth will gain an appreciation for literature and film and will be inspired to realize their full capabilities. To learn more about the “Bridge to Terabithia” movie and program, and to download the youth development activity guide, visit www.youthfilmproject.org.
Based on the popular Newbery Award-winning novel by Katherine Paterson, “Bridge to Terabithia” is a fantasy/adventure story of friendship, family and the power of imagination from the producers of "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe." Jess Aarons (Josh Hutcherson) is an outsider at school and even in his own family. Jess has trained all summer to become the fastest kid in his middle school class but his goal is unexpectedly thwarted by the new girl in school, Leslie Burke (AnnaSophia Robb), who competes in the "boys only" race and wins.
Despite their awkward introduction, the two outsiders quickly become best friends. Leslie loves to tell stories of fantasy and magic. Jess loves to draw, but until he met Leslie it was something he kept to himself. Leslie opens a new world of imagination for Jess. Together they create the secret kingdom of Terabithia, a magical place only accessible by swinging on an old rope over a stream in the woods near their homes. There, the friends rule the kingdom, fight the Dark Master and his creatures and plot against the school bullies. Thanks to his friendship with Leslie, Jess is changed for good. Brimming with fantastical creatures, palaces and beautiful forests, the world of Terabithia is brought to life by the amazing Academy Award®-winning visual effects wizards at Weta Digital ("The Lord of the Rings," "King Kong").
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 $200,000 in cash prizes and Crystal Heart Awards to the Festival’s top entries. This includes a $100,000 Grand Prize for Best Dramatic Feature underwritten by the Max Simon Charitable Foundation, a $25,000 Award for Best Documentary Feature and a $10,000 Vision Award for Best Short Film underwritten by Vision Racing. The remaining $65,000 is shared among the Crystal Heart and Jimmy Stewart Memorial Crystal Heart Award winners. Heartland has awarded more than $1.6 million in 15 years to support filmmakers in their quest to create Truly Moving Pictures.
Local/Regional Relations Lisa Dudeck |
National Public Relations Lynda Dorf / Alfred Hopton |