By Angelo Auriemma
The Heartland International Film Festival has opened its doors for the 26th consecutive year, and the opening festivities are now underway with filmmakers and celebrities gracing the red carpet to meet with the press.
Along the carpet were names such as actor and director Corbin Bernsen and former “Desperate Housewives” star James Denton, all introducing and advertising their films – all aside from Nic Novicki, who was representing not a film, but an organization.
“I run the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge,” Novicki said. “[It’s] a weekend film competition where over the course of a weekend, participants write, shoot, edit, and submit a three-to-five minute film that has someone with a disability in front of or behind the camera.”
Novicki, who stands at three-feet ten-inches tall, sees the organization as a way to bring about change to the media, explaining the harsh realities showcased by today’s entertainment industry.
“People with disabilities, we represent twenty-percent of the population, but we’re in less than two-percent of films and TV shows,” Novicki said.
The organization, which is entering its sixth year, is being hosted by the festival, allowed to show its finalist films to audience members across the Hoosier State.
“We’ve got a real enthusiastic audience in Indiana, and everyone’s been so nice and supportive,” Novicki said.
The Heartland International Film Festival is running from now until October 21st at AMC Castleton 14, AMC Traders Point 12, and Newfields. Information about the showtimes can be found at http://heartlandfilm.org/festival/.
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