ABOUT LIFT
IMPORTANT DATES
HOW TO APPLY
LIFT aims to support Indiana filmmakers in telling powerful, uplifting stories of inspirational Hoosiers. We will offer $5,000 grants to five filmmakers to produce five-minute short films that effectively capture these stories. If selected, filmmakers or filmmaking teams have two months (April 15 - June 15) to complete their films. In addition to the financial support, Hoodox and Indiana Humanities will provide mentorship opportunities throughout the process.
The final series of films will premiere at Heartland Film’s Indy Shorts Film Festival in July of 2026 and will be shared online via a media partnership with Free Press Indiana.
January 15, 2026 | Applications open
March 15, 2026 at 11:59 pm Eastern | Applications due
April 15, 2026 | Filmmakers notified of decision
June 15, 2026 | Completed Films due
July 21-26, 2026 | Films premiere at Heartland Film Festival
To apply, read the guidelines and fill out the application form by 11:59 pm Eastern on March 15, 2026.
PARTNERS
Indiana Humanities is a statewide nonprofit that infuses the humanities into our daily lives. We do this by providing grants, convening discussions, uplifting humanities scholars, spotlighting humanities organizations and activities, and creating our own programs that help Hoosiers think, read and talk.
Learn more: Indianahumanities.org
Hoodox is a nonprofit organization on a mission to support and share stories that connect Hoosiers, spark conversations, and inspire positive change in Indiana.
We believe Indiana’s future can be bright, and that amplifying true stories told by and for Hoosiers is one of the most powerful ways to help us get there.
Learn more: Watchhoodox.com
Heartland Film is a nonprofit arts organization that runs the 11-day Heartland International Film Festival in October, the Academy Award®-Qualifying Indy Shorts International Film Festival in July, the Truly Moving Picture Award and other year-round programs.
Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, Heartland Film was founded in 1991 with the mission to curate, promote and celebrate thoughtful and engaging films. The films we select and exhibit – whether they inspire conversation, ignite imagination, or shift perspectives – all have one thing in common: they are films that do more than entertain.
Learn more: Heartlandfilm.org
Free Press Indiana is a new, nonprofit initiative formed by a coalition of locally-based organizations and the American Journalism Project. We are on a mission to ensure residents of Indiana have local news that is anchored in and reflective of the needs of the communities they serve.
News partners of Free Press Indiana will work together to serve all audiences of the state and close coverage gaps; have access to republish news and information produced by Free Press Indiana for the benefit of their audiences; and have access to resources and programs created or funded by the effort.
Learn more: Freepressindiana.org