Heinz made his film directorial and writing debut with
American Folk in 2018. The film starred
Joe Purdy,
Amber Rubarth,
Krisha Fairchild and was originally titled 'SEPTEMBER 12TH' before Heinz was forced to change it. Variety noted Heinz demonstrated "considerable assurance in his feature directorial bow." It garnered Top Indie Film Awards for best feature and best editing in addition to nominations for best writing and directing. Awards and nominations included the following: •
Anchorage International Film Festival (2017 Nominee, Best Feature, Narrative Feature Film) •
Cleveland International Film Festival (2017 Winner, Best American Independent Feature Film) •
Heartland Film Festival (2017 Nominee, Grand Prize for Dramatic Feature, Dramatic Feature) •
Crossroads Film Festival (2017 Nominee, Festival Award Best Feature) •
Napa Valley Film Festival (2017 Nominee, Best Narrative Feature, Grand Jury Award Best Narrative Feature) •
Port Townsend Film Festival (2017 Winner, Jury Special Commendation Best Music) •
Rhode Island International Film Festival (2017 Winner, Flickers' Youth Film Jury Award, Best Feature, Best Feature Film Narrative) •
Santa Barbara International Film Festival (2017 Nominee, Panavision Spirit Award for Independent Cinema) •
Seattle International Film Festival (2017 Nominee, New American Cinema Competition) •
Southside Film Festival, US (2017 Nominee, Jury Prize, Best Film) •
Top Indie Film Awards (2018 Winner, Best Feature, Best Editing) (Nominee, Best Director, Best Writing) == References ==