BSU Students Shine at Indy Shorts International Film Festival

The Indy Shorts International Film Festival is underway, featuring a lineup of 253 short films curated into 39 themed programs. The festival showcases talent from around the world, including 19 short films with Indiana ties.

"We're here to showcase their art of short films," said Director of Marketing with Heartland Film Jessica Chapman. "Short films are 40 minutes or less. They're short, but we program them in blocks by theme. You'll see anywhere from three to 13 short films by theme."

Ball State students with Radiance Cinema showcased the World Premieres of their six short films on Wednesday.

"It's giving them actual real-life experience early on, that they might not have been able to get until later in their careers," said Chapman.

Recent BSU grad Elizabeth Reed is the writer and director of "Sizzle." The short film is about estranged childhood best friends who are reunited by their old imaginary friend and must work together to send him back. Reed explained, "I wanted to write something that was about the power of feminine friendships. That's a big theme in my life, and a lot of my work is the power of women combined."

Recent BSU grad Luke Heitmann is the writer and director of "Wanting." The short film is about a guy who struggles to confront his crush at a party, and is granted three wishes by a genie to get what he desires. Heitmann said, "Short form content is really popular right now. Being able to convey a story in a shorter amount of time and hook the audience in sooner."

Indy Shorts runs until July 27.