IMS Productions, the state-of-the-art video production arm of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, has won a prestigious film award for the documentary “Heart to Heart.”

The New York International Independent Film and Video Festival named “Heart to Heart” the Best Documentary (Short) among its Grand Festival Award category, the top award category at the event.

The festival, known as “the voice of independent film,” took place Nov. 9-16 in Manhattan and showcased more than 200 international and domestic feature films, shorts, documentaries and animations.

“Heart to Heart” is a one-hour documentary chronicling the story of Bailey Hunsberger, a then-12-year-old girl from Indianapolis who suffers from various heart defects.

Hunsberger entered Riley Hospital for Children for treatment and, due to the severity of her condition, heart surgeon Dr. Mark Turrentine turned to the Berlin Heart – a new technology not yet approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration – to save her life.

The documentary brings to light the emotional toll taken on family members, particularly Hunsberger’s divorced parents and their spouses, as they come together as a support group, and it also brings to light issues with pediatric care and technological research in the U.S.

“We are both proud and pleased of the final outcome of this documentary,” said Buddy McAtee, vice president and executive producer for IMS Productions. “This was a huge project that didn’t happen by chance. Tony and Laura George gave us the opportunity to use their vast resources to make this happen. Without their support and help, this extremely important documentary bringing this challenge of pediatric medicine to the forefront might not have been seen by mainstream media.

“With the courage of some very special doctors, nurses and an entire support staff at Riley Children’s Hospital, the life of a little girl was saved, possibly along with the lives of many more children here and around the world. We have all gotten to know Bailey and her family. Besides having many hours invested in the documentary, the producers, directors, writers, editors and photographers have a lot of their own emotion invested in this project.”

Actor Patrick Dempsey, known for his role as Dr. Derek Shepherd on the hit ABC drama “Grey’s Anatomy,” served as a producer and was the host and narrator for the production.

In addition to McAtee, other IMS Productions staff that played a significant role in the direction and creation of “Heart to Heart” were Brian Gordon, senior director, programming and edit, and Mark Condron, senior producer.

For more information on Hunsberger’s miraculous story and recovery, visit www.baileysheart.com.