Michael Glover Smith Sets World Premiere for Fifth Feature ‘Hekla’ at Lindsey Film Fest in Florence, Alabama

Michael Glover Smith‘s fifth feature film, HEKLA, which was shot in Chicago late last summer and produced by Sweet Void Cinema, will have its world premiere at the 29th annual George Lindsey UNA Film Festival in Florence, Alabama, on Friday, March 6. The comedy, about a hectic day in the life of a Chicago actress, features an impressive cast of local talent headlined by Elizabeth Stam (RELATIVE), Wendy Robie (TWIN PEAKS), Mary Tilden (ROUGH RIVER LAKE), Brookelyn Hebert (EMPIRE), Sadieh Rifai (SHINING GIRLS), Susaan Jamshidi (CHICAGO PD), and Sadie Rogers (PRINCESS CYD). The crew likewise consisted mostly of Chicagoans, including producer Aaron Wertheimer (NOT IF I SEE YOU FIRST), executive producer Jack McCoy (TANKA), cinematographer Jose Perez (WHAT RHYMES WITH MAGDALENA?), production designer Heather M. Kuhlmann (DARK MATTER), editor Eric Marsh (ORDERS), colorist Jonathan Anderson (THANK YOU FOR THE RIDE, AILEEN), and sound designer Alex Peek (STEP SIX).

HEKLA is one of only three movies selected to compete in the prestigious “Professional Narrative Features” competition at George Lindsey, the oldest film festival in Alabama. Smith spoke about the honor of premiering there in an exclusive new interview with SCREEN: “I couldn’t be more thrilled that we’ll be kicking off our festival run at George Lindsey. Not only is it a fantastic festival, it’s literally where I first met Liz Stam seven years ago. She was there as a cast member of Tre Manchester’s BLEED AMERICAN, and I was there with my third feature, RENDEZVOUS IN CHICAGO. We met when I approached Liz after a Q&A to tell her how much I enjoyed her performance. Needless to say, it will be a dream for us to return to this particular fest together, a real ‘full-circle moment!'” Accompanying Smith and Stam to Florence for the premiere will be cast members Tilden, Hebert and Conor Foley, producer Wertheimer, and editor Marsh.

In a statement provided to SCREEN, film critic Matt Fagerholm (Indie Outlook), who watched a private screening, said about HEKLA: “Elizabeth Stam is a FORCE, and Michael Smith’s feature-length showcase for her is chock full of sublime moments, thanks in part to its dream ensemble.” Smith tells SCREEN that more festival and theatrical screenings, including the Wisconsin and Chicago premieres, will be announced in the near future.

For more information about the George Lindsey UNA Film Festival screening, click right here

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