Download the Rabbit Fever pumpkin pattern here:
http://www.rabbitfever.com/RabbitFever_PumpkinPattern.pdf

But before hopping to Arizona, Rabbit Fever will be making a pit stop in San Leandro, California for one night at the historical Bal Theatre, hosted by the 4-H Redwood Rabbits Club. This special screening is made possible by Sami Segale, 4-H Rabbit Leader and Pets Columnist at the Oakland Examiner and the gracious support of Dan Dillman, owner of the Bal Theatre and no stranger to the plight of indie filmmakers himself. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity, guys! For more information about the San Leandro screening, click here.

Photo Credit: Wayne Brown

“When I saw the stretch limo waiting for me at the airport after landing in Indianapolis, I knew that the rumors were true: the Heartland Film Festival really IS ‘Filmmakers’ festival!’ Not only is the staff the most helpful bunch I’ve ever worked with in terms of making the premiere of Rabbit Fever a successful event, but on top of that, they made sure I was pampered by offering me spa services (i.e. stress relieving massages, hair & makeup for the gala) and took care of my cast and crew members as well. You can tell how much the festival and its patrons really respect indie filmmakers, and that aspect alone made my decision to premiere at Heartland so worthwhile.” Director Amy Do says.

Red Carpet Gallery: View photos of the Heartland premiere event!

Director Amy Do & Cast: Johnny Haussener, Paula Courtney, Jeremy Garrett. Photo Credit: Paul To

Fortunately, all of the promotion that Director Amy Do set out to do – direct outreach to the Indiana state rabbit breeders and 4-H, TV coverage and speaking to an avid class of film students taught by Media Instructor & Filmmaker C. Thomas Lewis at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis – really paid off.

Line up! AMC Castleton Square, Indianapolis. Photo Credit: Paul To

The theater was buzzing with bunny ear-wearing patrons, respectively quiet when the lights turned down low and you could hear a lot of gasps and heart-filled laughs at all the right moments. Afterward, the audience members enjoyed seeing three of the main “hare-raising” stars of the film, Jeremy Garrett, Johnny Haussener and Paula Courtney, join Director Amy Do up on stage for an engaging Q&A session. “I couldn’t have asked for a better audience,” Do says.

Premiere Screening, AMC Castleton Square, Indianapolis. Photo Credit: Paul To

Like the previous morning on IndyStyle (Channel 8, WISH-TV), Director Amy Do and Indiana rabbit breeders Jody Olson and Pam Batten set out to spread the word about Rabbit Fever, this time on FOX 59 News. After the segment, many people in the FOX News office and studio left their desks to pet the stars of the show – the bunnies!

Video of Director Amy Do promoting Rabbit Fever on FOX 59 News

Photo Credit: Wayne Brown

Photo Credit: Wayne Brown

In other news, Director Amy Do and Indiana rabbit breeders Jody Olson and Pam Batten were featured on the the TV morning show, IndyStyle (WISH-TV, Channel 8), to promote the World Premiere of Rabbit Fever in Indianapolis, IN.  On-air personalities Andi Hauser and Tracy Forner were thrilled to have bunnies on the show, however, they didn’t forget to run a lint roller on their clothes to make sure that they were camera-ready for the next segment!  Scroll all the way down to see the video!

Photo Credit: Wayne Brown

Photo Credit: Wayne Brown

Photo Credit: Wayne Brown

The goal of the Heartland Film Festival is to honor “beautifully made films that celebrate the positive aspects of life.”  Seeing as how Rabbit Fever is a very positive, family-oriented film, it truly is a perfect fit for the festival.  Also, our last stop when filming Rabbit Fever was at the ARBA (American Rabbit Breeders Association) National Convention in Indy back in 2005.  So, going back to premiere Rabbit Fever there will symbolically bring everything full circle,  especially for the teens in the film who are now in the process of graduating college!

Kudos to Scott, Jeff, Chris and Sara at Remedy Editorial and Colorist Genius Gary Coates who have been a tremendous help in getting the film prime for theatrical exhibition (see photos below). Thanks to them, Rabbit Fever will be projected digitally in all its mastered glory on HDCam at the AMC Castleton Square 14 in Indianapolis on Sunday, October 17th at 5:30pm.  Advance tickets and additional screening times are available by clicking here.

Previous Heartland award winner recipients include: Steven Spielberg, Dakota Fanning, Ellen Burstyn and Rob Reiner and films such as Blindside and Dreamer.