IIFF History

Entering its fifth year, the Indianapolis International Film Festival has expanded significantly, extending itself, and taking root in the Indianapolis filmscape.

IIFF began as a three-day festival in March 2004. Centrally located at United Artists Theatres – Circle Centre Mall in downtown Indianapolis, the first festival featured several Midwestern premieres, including acclaimed writer/director Lars von Trier's Dogville as well as A Slipping Down Life featuring Lily Taylor and Guy Pierce. Over all, 2,400 people saw 24 films on two screens, with five screenings at more than 80% capacity.

2005 was a year of growth as the Festival moved from March to late April and from United Artists Theatres to Hollywood Bar & Filmworks, adding an additional day as well as a third screen. By nearly doubling the number of films, IIFF saw a 24% growth in attendance, with several films selling out, including the Oscar-nominated documentary, Murderball. An enhanced marketing and publicity campaign led to a 452% increase in advance ticket sales. In the first two years of the Indianapolis International Film Festival, more than 5,000 attendees saw a total of 77 films from 27 different countries.

With further growth as the goal for 2006, IIFF expanded from one venue to three. As a result, attendance grew by an astounding 61%. Film submissions expanded by 211%. Films screened grew by 108%, and the IIFF secured its best-known premiere to date with the (unofficial) US Premiere of Dreamworks Animation's Over the Hedge.

2007 marked some historic highlights. IIFF presented its first Career Achievement Award to Albert & David Maysles - two time Academy Award Nominees - for their integral contributions to the world on non-fiction cinema. In addition, Albert Maysles attended the festival and screened some their classic films - such as Gimme Shelter, Grey Gardens, and Salesman. Overall attendance grew by 18% and film submissions crossed the 500 plateau (up from just 65 in our first year).

In just four years, the following films screened at the Indianapolis International Film Festival have gone on to receive Oscar Nominations:

Screened at the 2004 Festival

Balseros, directed by Carles Bosch and Jose Maria Domenech
(Nominated for Best Documentary, 2004)

The Story of the Weeping Camel, directed by Byambasuren Davaa and Luigi Falorni
Nominated for Best Documentary, 2005)

Screened at the 2005 Festival

9, directed by Shane Acker
(nominated for Best Animated Short, 2006)

Murderball, directed by Henry Alex Rubin & Dana Adam Shapiro
(nominated for Best Documentary, 2006)

Ryan, directed by Chris Landreth
(WINNER, Best Animated Short Film, 2005)

West Bank Story, directed by Ari Sandel
(WINNER, Best Live Action Short Film, 2007)

Screened at the 2006 Festival

Binta & the Great Idea, directed by Javier Fesser
(nominated for Best Live Action Short Film, 2007)

Water, directed by Deepa Mehta
(nominated for Best Foreign Language Film, Canada)

Screened at the 2007 Festival

Away from Her, directed by Sarah Polley
(nominated for Best Actress for Julie Christie, 2008 and
nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay for Sarah Polley, 2008.)

Eramos Pocos, directed by Jorge Boreaga
(nominated for Best Live Action Short Film, 2007)

Il Supplente (The Substitute), directed by Andrea Jublin
(nominated for Best Live Action Short Film, 2008)

War / Dance, directed by Andrea Nix Fine and Sean Fine
(nominated for Best Documentary, 2008)

Screened at the 2008 Festival

I Met the Walrus, directed by Josh Raskin
(nominated for Best Animated Short Film, 2008)

Mongol, directed by Sergei Bodrov
(nominated for Best Foreign Language Film, 2008)