Ethan Hawke's SEYMOUR: AN INTRODUCTION Wins Truly Moving Picture Award

Ethan Hawke's directorial debut and Sundance Selects release "Seymour: An Introduction" has been recognized with the Truly Moving Picture Award by nonprofit arts organization Heartland Film. Selects theatrically-released titles-entertaining films that do much more than just entertain-are honored with the designation throughout the year. Submissions are received directly from studios and producers for consideration.

"A transcendent and existential journey through the life and mind of Seymour Bernstein, 'Seymour: An Introduction' weaves an engaging portrait of a truly authentic and inspiring musical spirit," said Heartland Film Artistic Director Tim Irwin. "Ethan Hawke's reverent directing debut frames Seymour's life, method and passion in a truly honorable and engaging way that will affect audiences of all ages."

"We couldn't be more thrilled that 'Seymour: An Introduction' has been honored with a Truly Moving Picture Award," said Producer Greg Loser from Room 5 Films. "It's always been our hope that the film, and Seymour's story, would touch people from all walks of life. Seymour believes we succeed in life not by 'winning,' but by engaging deeply with that which means the most to us. If 'Seymour: An Introduction' and the Truly Moving Picture Award can help share the same message, then we'll have found our own measure of success."

Seymour Bernstein is a virtuoso pianist, veteran New Yorker, and true original who gave up a successful concert career to teach music. In this wonderfully warm, witty, and intimate tribute from his friend, Ethan Hawke, Seymour shares unforgettable stories from his remarkable life and eye-opening words of wisdom, as well as insightful reflections on art, creativity, and the search for fulfillment. A "poignant guide to life" (Indiewire) and an engaging exploration on the dedication, perseverance, and fortitude essential to creating both art and a rewarding life, "Seymour: An Introduction" will leave audiences uplifted and inspired.

"Seymour: An Introduction" is now playing in select cities. Learn more at SeymourAnIntroduction.com.

About Heartland Film, Inc.
Heartland Film is a nonprofit arts organization founded in 1991 with the mission to inspire filmmakers and audiences through the transformative power of film. Heartland Film is a curator and supporter of purposeful filmmaking, honoring a wide variety of cinema and awarding storytellers from all over the world. The films Heartland Film selects and exhibits - whether they inspire and uplift, educate and inform, or have the ability to shift audiences' perspectives on the world - all have one thing in common: they are entertaining films that do more than just entertain. Every October, the Heartland Film Festival gives its moviegoers access to more than 100 visiting independent filmmakers from all over the world, right in the heart of the Midwest. Heartland Film Festival showcases more than 130 entertaining movies that do much more than just entertain over 10 days of red carpet premieres and events, parties and hundreds of film screenings across Indianapolis. The Heartland Film Festival has earned the special designation of being a qualifying festival for the Annual Academy Awards within the Short Films category. Each year, the Heartland Film Festival awards more than $120,000 in cash prizes and presents its Festival Awards to top-judged submissions. Heartland Film has awarded more than $2.9 million to support indie filmmakers over the last 23 years. Beyond the Heartland Film Festival, Heartland Film honors theatrically-released films that align with its mission via the Truly Moving Picture Award, inspires the next generation of filmmakers via the Heartland Film Institute, and exhibits films across Indiana all year long via the Heartland Film Roadshow. To learn more, visit heartlandfilm.org.