“Arab Indianapolis: A Hidden History” Selected for 31st Annual Heartland Film Festival

Indianapolis — Arab Indianapolis: A Hidden History has been chosen for inclusion in the 31st annual Heartland International Film Festival.

The final scene of the film features host Edward Curtis, Samia Alajlouni, and Hiba Alalami cooking some of their favorite Arab dishes in Hiba’s kitchen and talking about the power of memory in Arab American cultures.

The documentary will be shown on October 11 at Living Room Theaters and on October 12 at Glendale Landmark Theater. It will also stream from October 6 – 16 on the Heartland Film website. Tickets are available here.

The documentary, directed and produced by local filmmaker Becky Fisher and shot by Vinnie Manganello, reveals a new chapter in the diverse history of central Indiana. It explores the first Arabic-speaking neighborhood in Indianapolis, the founding of St. George Church in the 1920s, the establishment of a prominent Arab American business on Monument circle, the service of Arab Americans in World War II, the election of Arab Americans to political offices in the Indiana Capitol, the contributions of Arab Americans to medicine since the 1920s, and the influence of Arab American food on menus across the city.

This film is underwritten by the Arab Indianapolis Foundation Inc., and the Indiana Humanities in cooperation with the National Endowment for the Humanities and produced by Fisher Productions in association with Indiana University.

“Arab Indianapolis: A Hidden History” was produced in association with eight units of Indiana University.

Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, Heartland Film Festival was founded in 1991 with the mission to curate, promote and celebrate thoughtful and engaging films from diverse perspectives. The festival has awarded $3.5 million in cash prizes – the largest total amount awarded by any film festival in North America – and showcased more than 2,000 feature and short films, including eight Oscar®-winning titles.