Films inspired by Dan Wheldon, Nancy Noel highlight Heartland festival lineup

Artist Nancy Noel, who died in 2020 at age 74, is the subject of new film “Art & Soul: A Portrait of Nancy Noel.” (Photo provided by Heartland International Film Festival)

Documentary films inspired by two-time Indianapolis 500 champion Dan Wheldon and Zionsville-based artist Nancy Noel are expected to be highlights of this year’s Heartland International Film Festival.

The 32nd edition of the Indianapolis festival, scheduled Oct. 5-15, will open with a screening of “The Lionheart,” a film that explores the aftermath of Wheldon’s on-track death in 2011. The world premiere of “Art & Soul: A Portrait of Nancy Noel,” a film directed by the late artist’s son, Alex Kosene, is scheduled Oct. 7.

Heartland organizers on Friday unveiled a lineup of more than 120 movies, including “centerpiece” film “Rustin” and closing night film “The Holdovers.”

Colman Domingo portrays civil rights leader Bayard Rustin in “Rustin,” which will be presented on Oct. 11. Paul Giamatti stars in “The Holdovers,” a story set in 1970.

Venues for the festival include Newfields, Living Room Theaters, Kan-Kan Cinema & Brasserie, Landmark Glendale 12 and Emagine Noblesville. All movies will have in-person screenings and many will be available to view online.

Tickets and festival passes are available for purchase at heartlandfilmfestival.org. Admission prices range from $12 to $20.

Ten high-profile films scheduled to be presented at Heartland:

• “All of Us Strangers,” a supernatural tale starring Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal.
• “Anatomy of a Fall,” a French mystery that won the Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.
• “A Disturbance in the Force,” a documentary that examines the infamous “Star Wars Holiday Special.”
• “Foe,” a contentious story set on a farm starring Saoirse Ronan and Mescal.
• “A Hard Day’s Night,” the 1964 movie starring the Beatles that will be screened for free.
• “Monster,” a Japanese film that collected best screenplay honors at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.
• “Perfect Days,” a film directed by Wim Wenders that’s set in Japan.
• “Sometimes I Think About Dying,” an office meditation starring Daisy Ridley.
• “The Space Race,” a documentary focused on Black pilots, engineers and scientists who became astronauts.
• “The Taste of Things,” a 19th-century story of romance and food that earned Tran Anh Hung the best director award at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.