• "Mother of Mine": With several festival awards already under its belt, "Mother of Mine" appears to be a leading favorite for this year's coveted Grand Prize. This Finnish film directed by Klaus Haro centers on the life of young Eero, a young man sent from his home in Finland, as were many young children, to neighboring Sweden, a neutral nation.
• "Outlaw Trail": Director Dan Byrd's film will receive its world premiere at Heartland. This family friendly Western tells the story of a young man and his friends who seek out a treasure and to disprove the presumed death of the famous outlaw, Butch Cassidy. Watch for an appearance by Arielle Kebbel, whose work thus far has been primarily in teen sex comedies. This change of pace may be just the thing the promising Kebbel needs to prove her acting chops.
• "Secret of the Cave": "Irish Jam" this isn't. Patrick Bergin stars in this family drama about a young boy's summer living in an Irish village. He faces his fears, and in the process helps an Irish village unlock long-held secrets.
• "Shooting Dogs":  Starring the legendary John Hurt and Hugh Dancy, "Shooting Dogs" has piqued my own interest perhaps more than any other of the 2006 Crystal Heart Award winners. The film may, unfortunately, get lost in the sea of films about violence in Africa, however, it would be a shame to miss the unique perspective in this wonderful film about faith and courage during the Rwandan massacre.
• "The Ultimate Gift": Director Michael Sajbel's film is based upon a book by Jim Stovall. Starring James Garner, Abigail Breslin and Drew Fuller, "The Ultimate Gift" is classic Heartland material with its tale of one man's journey of discovery to seek out the inheritance his father left him. Of course, this journey brings him far more than he could have ever imagined. Fresh off her stunning performance in "Little Miss Sunshine," it looks like Breslin offers her second spectacular performance of 2006.

Along with the competition for Best Dramatic Feature, several Documentary Features have been recognized as Crystal Heart Award winners and will be in competition for the Festival's $25,000 prize for Best Documentary Feature. These documentaries include:

• "A Man Named Pearl": This man confronts bigotry in South Carolina's poorest country by starting a garden of peace and love. This goodwill gesture, in turns, inspires others and will, most assuredly, inspire you.
• "The Cross and the Towers": Directed by The Erwin Brothers, this documentary brings to live stories of heroes and survivors from 9/11.
• "Forgiving Dr. Mengele": Easily my most anticipated of this year's documentaries, "Forgiving Dr. Mengele" is the story of one of Mengele's twins and her journey towards forgiveness so radical that it has brought her both praise and challenge.
• "The Hip Hop Project": Bruce Willis produced this documentary about a group of New York City teens who transform their lives through performance.
• "Ithuteng": This powerful documentary follows the efforts of South Africa's Mama Jackey, a woman devoted to South Africa's rape victims, drug addicts and criminals. Her unique tough love confronts and heals.

For the first time, the Heartland Film Festival will also offer screenings of "Official Selections" who did not receive Crystal Heart Awards. Films chosen as Official Selections include:

• "Expiration Date": A romantic fable, "Expiration Date" follows the life of one man whose father and grandfather were both killed by milk trucks on their 25th birthday. He accepts his fate until love gets in the way. Robert Guthrie, Sascha Knopf and Dee Wallace-Stone star in this quirky, romantic comedy. Dramatic Feature.
• "Fire Creek": Heartland nearly always includes at least one war film. This year is no exception. "Fire Creek" is about young man's return from war, spared from death by a God he doesn't believe in. Dramatic Feature.
• "Life After Tomorrow": Gil Cates, Jr. and Julie Stevens direct this Feature Documentary about life for young performers after appearing in "Annie."
• "Little Big Top": This film, starring Sid Haig and Richard Riehle, is actually set in Peru, Indiana. An aging ex-clown returns to his hometown of Peru, Indiana to retire in a drunken stupor. A friend finds out about his return and recruits him to lead a local group of clowns. Dramatic Feature.
• "Mario's Story": This Documentary Feature follows a group of unlikely allies as they attempt to free a man they believe wrongly convicted of murder. 

Finally, as if all these wondrous screenings aren't enough, Heartland Film Festival will host this year special screenings this year including the U.S. Premiere of Michael Apted's latest film, "Amazing Grace," along with the World Premiere of the upcoming children's film, "Air Buddies." As is a Heartland tradition, closing night will include a very special screening, the upcoming and highly praised, "The Queen."

Watch this column as I review many of the films I've listed, along with a few of the shorts also to be screened. Along the way, look for special feature columns, interviews and Heartland insights. For more information on the upcoming Heartland Film Festival visit their 2006 Heartland Film Festival website.