Tim Irwin – Artistic Director
Tim is ultimately responsible for deciding which films are programmed, and which are not. Tim’s primary responsibility in this role is to work with teams of interns, volunteer screeners and programmers to thoroughly watch, review and evaluate each and every submission to the Heartland Film Festival, and ultimately choose the best films that align with Heartland’s mission. Tim also oversees the Truly Moving Picture Award program and the films shown at Heartland Film Roadshow screenings and First Fridays.
Tim grew up overseas, and retains a special interest in international affairs (and films!). With a degree in philosophy from Purdue University, Tim enjoys critically analyzing a wide variety of films and other media. He has corporate experience in the business to business copier sales world, and is glad to no longer worry about sales quotas.
How long have you been working at Heartland Film? What did you do before joining the staff?
I’ve been working at Heartland Film since the 2009 Heartland Film Festival. I started part-time and then became a full-time employee. Before coming here, I sold copiers in Columbus.
Complete the following sentence: I love my job because…
I love narrowing down the huge amount of submissions that we receive to the Official Selections for the Festival. I also love working with all of the independent filmmakers.
Name three-five of your all-time favorite films.
- Bonnie & Clyde (1967, Arthur Penn)
- The Graduate (1967, Mike Nichols)
- The Wild Bunch (1969, Sam Peckinpah)
- The Thing (1982, John Carpenter)
- Requiem for a Dream (2000, Darren Aronofsky)
Who are some of your favorite filmmakers/directors?
David Lynch, Alfred Hitchcock and Ingmar Bergman
What are some of your favorite feel-good movies, guilty pleasure movies or films that make you laugh?
I’m going to have to say Airplane! and Some Like It Hot.
Who are three of your favorite fictional characters?
Captain Pierce from “M*A*S*H”, James Bond and Elwood P. Dowd from Harvey
What do you like to do when you are not working or watching movies?
I love rock climbing.
Who are your favorite musical artists to belt out when you are driving alone?
Anything Kesha, Eminem or Simon & Garfunkel
You’re throwing a party and you can invite anyone in the world (dead or alive, famous, historical, etc.) –who would you invite and would the party have a theme?
I would invite Trey Parker, Matt Stone, David Lynch, Aldous Huxley and Ingmar Bergman and the theme would be talking about philosophy.
What advice would you give the younger version of yourself?
I would tell myself to learn more languages early.
