Independent filmmakers have until July 1 to submit short films for the third annual Indiana Short Film Festival (formerly known as The Film Festival of Hendricks County).  There is no entry fee.

All genres are welcome from all over the world, but entries must be under 40 minutes.  The audience will vote for their favorite films in various categories, and a $250 cash award will be given to the Grand Jury winner.  A separate category, Student Films, will be limited to high school students or younger from anywhere in the State of Indiana.

The Indiana Short Film Festival will be held on Columbus Day weekend (October 11-13, 2013) at the historic Royal Theater on the Square in Danville, Indiana, just 14 miles west of Indianapolis.  For more information, please see our website at www.inshortfilmfest.com

On March 30th at 6:30PM, Tommy Martin brings an exclusive screening experience of Versa Studios Media’ film “Cheery Point” to his hometown at the Clinton Community Recreation Center.

In the film, Martin plays the lead character Joshua Barrett, a young man conditioned into a life free from pain whose poignant journey into the discovery of emotions rests at the heart of the entire film.

Cheery Point’s condensed summary is as follows:
“Set in an alternate 2017 America, Cheery Point is an independent sci-fi feature film about a group of characters who strive to find meaning in their lives after the government enforces the administration of a new drug called Torpase. After being weaned by the last priest known in existence, Joshua Barrett (Tommy Martin) must decide if he will return to the society he knows or will join his captor's resistance of ‘springers’—those who show emotion openly.”

Principally shot in Louisville, KY, “Cheery Point” features cast/crew, locations, and resources all across the Midwest, including Chicago and Indiana locations such as Alexandria and Muncie. Other principle cast includes Amy Hunt, Richard Hackel, Louie Lawless, Kyle Dal Santo, and Jennifer Wilkins.

It sold out at its first screening through Apex theatres in Louisville to a 200 seat crowd within a week through social media alone, culminating in a standing ovation.

Versa owner Kenneth Stevenson remarks on the upcoming event, “Versa Studios Media is excited to bring the film’s third exclusive screening to a town that obviously supports and appreciates the talent of an individual like Tommy. We join you in celebration of his unique talents and success as well as those of the entire cast and crew.”

Several other “hoosier” cast and crew members will also be present. All are welcome to a meet and greet session following the film. A Q&A, as well as poster/merchandise signings, will also occur.

This movie is NOT YET RATED, but the film’s producers maintain that there is Action Violence, suggestive content, and some mild language, so parents: be aware. Tickets will soon be available at the Clinton Community Recreation Center for $6.

A portion of the proceeds will go to Nathan's Playroom. Their services currently include toy-based care packages, as well as the development of a pilot program for an in-facility toy room at a local children’s hospital. Future plans include creating a network for online peer-to-peer support for the siblings being served.

Fundraising efforts will help secure 501(c)(6) status and cover general start-up costs
INDIANAPOLIS, IND.—The Indiana Media Production Alliance (IMPA), an alliance of film and media professionals working together to promote the film and multimedia industry through the support of tax incentives and pro-industry legislation in the state of Indiana, has launched a fundraising campaign through the crowdfunding website Indiegogo.com.

With a fundraising goal of $1,200, this campaign will enable the IMPA to cover its basic organizational costs, so it can prepare to lobby the Indiana state legislature and accept donations for those lobbying efforts. This campaign, which will run through April 15, 2013, will ensure the IMPA is on a solid legal foundation and will be able to represent the film and multimedia industry in the state of Indiana for many years to come.

The funds will go towards the initial organizing of the IMPA, including:
•Registration fee for Not for Profit 501(c)6 status •Registration fee for federal EIN number
•Website hosting and registration
•General start-up costs

Donate to the IMPS Organizational Fund: http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/347828/emal

Other Ways You Can Help
•Sign up for the IMPA mailing list by emailing info@indianamedia.org or visiting the website at http://indianamedia.org
•Like the IMPA on Facebook or follow on Twitter (@IndianaMediaOrg)
•Ask a friend or business to support the IMPA

What Happens Next
Once the Indiegogo fundraising campaign goal has been collected, the IMPA will launch a second, all-encompassing Indiegogo campaign to pay for costs to author proposed legislation for tax incentives and begin lobbying efforts for the 2014 state legislative session.

“The IMPA is dedicated to a continuing involvement in promoting the film and multimedia industry in Indiana,” says Glenn Pratt, President of the IMPA.

Filmmakers Daniel Grzeskowiak and James Burzelic teamed up to make “Misfit Heights”, a feature film about childhood
memories destroyed by zombies. Misfit Heights is a film about an apartment building populated by puppets who have to
struggle for survival when a mad scientist’s plan to rule the world with an army of undead goes awry. It’s up to the last few
survivors to fight their way into his secret lab and try to put an end to his evil plan before they become zombies, or the building’s
superintendant returns from vacation and evicts them.

Daniel and James will self distribute the film on May 1, 2013, but need help to cover the costs of distribution. They
launched a 30 day kickstarter campaign on February 11, 2013 to raise the $5,000 needed to release the film digitally and physically.
The money will go to the submission of Misfit Heights to iTunes, Hulu, and DVD duplication.

Misfit Heights has been accepted in this year Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo and has been submitted to the
GenCon Film Festival, San Diego International Comic-ˇCon, and the Wet Your Pants Comedy Film Fest. “We’re excited
about all of these. The conventions will help us get the word out about our film, and the Wet Your Pants Film Festival is a
non-ˇprofit raising money for the Indianapolis kidney cancer foundation.”

The film attended the GenCon Film Festival in 2012 and received excellent audience and critical response. “When we
mentioned we made a puppet zombie musical people’s first response would be ‘That’s awesome!’ Then they would ask where
they can buy it.” Daniel said. “We had several hundred people see the film, and at GenCon, that’s almost unheard of for a first
time film. We wanted to create a film most gamers, college students, and our friends would enjoy. We had a very good response
from our target market, especially when the two best friends were singing while one of them was killing the other one. It’s a
great song. We submitted to several other festivals, but it’s time to start working on releasing it.”

Omaha resident and producer Daniel was watching television with friends when he turned and said
“What if a zombie apocalypse broke out on a puppet film?” They started writing. They also found their puppet designers
David Ray Preston Jr., Jonathan Kidder, and Dicapria. Mr. Preston’s resume includes several animation series including
“King of the Hill.” Puppeteer Kidder trained with Henson Company veterans.

Production was recorded without sound. Post-ˇproduction started in Los Angeles where their director now resides. James
Burzelic brought in voice actors, including anime star Cristina Valenzuela and pod cast guru Sean “Day 9” Plott. USC’s Sound
designer Fionnegan Justus Murphy worked on putting it all together with emerging composer Jamison Stokdyk. The musical
numbers were masterfully written by Daniel Bullock, singer for the band The Scarring Party

Updates on “Misfit Heights” can be followed on facebook (http://www.facebook.com/misfitheights) or the film’s website
(www.misfitheights.com). Trailers can also be seen on the films website. For more information, contact: