Freddie Highmore as August Rush and Robin Williams as Maxwell "Wizard" Wallace in "August Rush," a movie about the mysterious power of music. (Submitted photo for The Star)

"The Kite Runner," based on the 2003 best-selling novel by Afghan-American writer Khaled Hosseini, tells the story of two boys and the transformation of their relationship through an act of violence.

Unlike most film festivals, every movie shown at the Heartland Film Festival is, in effect, an award-winner. That's because Heartland, now in its 16th year, is very picky about the films it shows.

There's the specialized mission to showcase cinema that "explores the human journey by expressing hope and emphasizing the best of the human spirit." Some mistakenly think that means Heartland plays only G-rated fare free of cursing or violence, which isn't the case. But it does mean that you'll never see Tim Burton's "Sweeney Todd," a musical about a murderous barber, or a Michael Bay action thriller in the Heartland mix.

On top of its self-limiting scope, Heartland intentionally keeps down its size, too, sticking to a lean diet of fewer than 50 films. Every one of them is screened by festival personnel to ensure that they meet the standards. With more than 600 films submitted for the 2007 festival, Heartland has become an exclusive affair indeed.'

"Every film we show is a good film. We don't have any dogs," said Jeffrey L. Sparks, Heartland president and CEO. "Now, if we programmed 100 films, the quality would go down pretty quick."

The slate includes 16 films that receive Crystal Heart Awards, which means they're in competition for Heartland's top prizes and $200,000 in cash awards. Then there are the 18 Official Selections, which are eligible for Audience Choice Awards. The opening- and closing-night films, plus special selections, make up the remainder of the program.

Here are some highlights from this year's Heartland fest.

Opening night: "August Rush"

Thursday, 7:30 p.m.

Things start off on a high note with the premiere of "August Rush," a film about music bringing together a family torn apart by circumstance.

The main screening is at 7:30 p.m., but there's also a matinee at 4:30 p.m., both at the IMAX Theater, 650 W. Washington St. The opening night dinner takes place at 5 p.m. next door at the Eiteljorg Museum, 500 W. Washington St. Tickets are $30 for the main screening ($25 for students), $20 for the matinee ($15 for students) and $125 for the dinner.

The film stars Freddie Highmore ("Finding Neverland") as a boy who runs away to New York City in search of the birth parents (Keri Russell and Jonathan Rhys Meyers) who conceived him in a fleeting encounter. Through the help of a mysterious stranger (Robin Williams) who teaches him that music is "the harmonic connection between all living beings," the boy uses his prodigious talents to make enough noise so that his birth parents will hear him. Directed by Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Kirsten Sheridan ("In America").

Hoosier connections: "Home of the Giants" and "Heart to Heart"

Oct. 20, 3, 7:30 and 9:45 p.m.

Heartland makes a special effort to include movies shot or set in Indiana, and this year is no exception.

"Giants" stars Haley Joel Osment ("The Sixth Sense") as a student journalist at a basketball-crazy Riverton, Ind., high school whose team is cruising toward a state championship. His best friend, the star player, embroils him in a plot to rob a drug dealer, and soon they're in way over their heads. It plays for the first time on Saturday at 3 and 9:45 p.m. at Clearwater Crossing, and again Oct. 21-24 (see schedule for times and venues).

Film/TV star Patrick Dempsey ("Grey's Anatomy") hosts "Heart," a 40-minute documentary set in Indianapolis about a 12-year-old girl suffering heart failure. Her medical struggle highlights problems in how the U.S. healthcare system treats children. "Heart to Heart" plays with "Muse of Fire," a documentary about American troops returning home from war. The first showing is at 7:30 p.m. at Greenwood Park, and plays again Oct. 21-25 (see schedule for times and venues).

Crystal Heart Awards Gala

Oct. 20, 8 p.m.

What's a film festival without awards?

Heartland has the distinction of giving away the largest cash prize of any film fest in the world: $100,000 for the Grand Prize Award for Best Dramatic Feature -- not to mention $25,000 for best documentary feature and $10,000 for best short film. The cash goes directly to the filmmakers, not the studios.

Recognition will also be given to all the Crystal Heart Award winners, this year's crop of movies designated as Truly Moving Pictures, and the Pioneering Spirit Award will be presented. Carlos Diaz (an "Extra" correspondent) will emcee.

This black-tie gala includes the dinner and ceremony for $175 at Conseco Fieldhouse, 125 S. Pennsylvania St. Gallery seating (minus dinner) is available for $35. Call (317) 464-9405 for gala dinner tickets, and (866) 433-1010 for gallery tickets.

Filmmakers' Brunch

Oct. 21, 10:30 a.m.

Want a chance to hobnob with a crop of established and emerging filmmakers? You can do it at this event, at the Westin Indianapolis, 50 S. Capitol Ave. Tickets are $35. The event includes brunch and music by Bill Kennough.

In an informal setting, people can meet the filmmakers and ask them anything on their minds. Since Heartland flies in the filmmakers and puts them up at the festival's expense, attendance is usually quite good.

Disney President discussion and "Enchanted" clip

Oct. 21, 7 p.m.

As president of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Group, Mark Zoradi is a major player in Hollywood, and he'll give his insights on the film biz at this event at the Indiana History Center, 450 W. Ohio St. Even better, he's going to show 20 minutes of "Enchanted," Disney's big fall release, plus clips from other upcoming projects.

"Enchanted" is a whimsical animated/live-action hybrid that showcases Disney gently poking fun at itself. Oscar-nominated actress Amy Adams ("Junebug") plays a princess who gets sucked out of her magical animated world into present-day real-life New York and can't understand why everyone frowns upon her penchant for suddenly breaking into song. Patrick Dempsey, Susan Sarandon and James Marsden co-star.

This event is free, but special tickets are required on a first-come, first-served basis.

"Invisible Children" rough cut

Oct. 22, 7:30 p.m.

This year's Pioneering Spirit Award goes to the trio behind this documentary about children from Northern Uganda being abducted and forced to fight as soldiers: Jason Russell, Bobby Bailey and Laren Poole. Get an early look at their project, which is told in a fast-paced style with MTV rhythms in a way that's both funny and heart-rending.

After the screening at Indiana History Center, 450 W. Ohio St., stick around for a Q&A session with the filmmakers, whose project has morphed from a movie into a mission to effect global change.

This event is free, but the required tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Closing night: "The Kite Runner"

Oct. 26, 7 p.m.

The best-selling novel by Khaled Hosseini, about friendship that survives an Afghanistan torn by war and, later, the repressive rule of the Taliban, comes to the screen under the direction of Marc Forster ("Finding Neverland," "Stranger Than Fiction"). The main screening at 7 p.m. sold out within hours of being announced, so a 4 p.m. showing was added; tickets are $10. Both take place at the Indiana History Center, 450 W. Ohio St.

This film has already seen controversy. Its regular release date was pushed back from Nov. 2 to Dec. 14, and its three principal child actors were moved from Kabul to the United States over fears that the sexual nature of some scenes -- particularly the rape of a boy -- might spur violence against them and their families. The father of the actor in the rape scene told the Associated Press he would not have participated in the film had the family known about its sexual aspect. Forster disputed this, saying they were briefed and the scenes rehearsed in advance.