Michael Glover Smith’s ‘Hekla’ Wows Los Angeles, Sets Suburban Chicago Theatrical Dates For July

29 Jun 2026

Hekla, the acclaimed fifth feature by Chicago filmmaker Michael Glover Smith (Mercury in Retrograde), had its Los Angeles Premiere at a packed screening at the famed TCL Chinese Theaters on Hollywood Boulevard last Tuesday as part of the 29th edition of Dances With Films. Smith was present for a post-screening Q&A with lead actress/co-writer Elizabeth Stam (Relative), and SCREEN has the pictures to prove it. The movie, which had its local premiere at the Music Box Theatre in May, will now move to the near-Chicago suburbs of Wilmette and Downers Grove for three additional screenings in July. But first, here are some prime photos of Smith, Stam, and other members of the cast and crew on the red carpet at Dances With Films.

Team ‘Hekla’ (L to R): cast members Grace Schuler and Kyle Wolfe, editor Eric Marsh, actress Edie Ellis, writer/director Michael Glover Smith, actress/co-writer Elizabeth Stam, and actor Conor Foley.

*Post-screening Q&A with Smith and Stam, moderated by DWF programmer Ariana Farina.*

*Smith and Stam being interviewed in the Magenta Light Distributor Lounge.*

*Smith with Magenta Light’s Bill Vergos (L) and filmmaker James Choi (R).*

*Smith and Stam being interviewed on the red carpet.*

The comedy/drama, about a chaotic day in the life of a Chicago actress, has earned plaudits for Stam in the title role, as well as for the unconventional narration provided by the legendary Wendy Robie (Twin Peaks). Although Hekla only had its world premiere in March, it has already won four awards at its first festival screenings, including the 2026 editions of the George Lindsey UNA Film Festival in Florence, Alabama; the Covellite International Film Festival in Butte, Montana; the Fort Myers Film Festival in Fort Myers, Florida; and the St. Charles Film Festival in St. Charles, Missouri. Additionally, Hekla received a New York premiere in early June at Spectacle, an iconic Brooklyn microcinema, after being programmed there by critic Mark Asch.

Chicago-area folks who missed Hekla at the Music Box Theatre and its first encore screening at FACETS Film Forum will soon have three more chances to catch it: On July 14, it will screen twice at the Wilmette Theatre in Wilmette, with Smith and Stam scheduled for post-show Q&As after both the matinee and evening performances; and on July 27, it will receive an After Hours Film Society screening at the Tivoli Theatre in Downers Grove. The latter screening will feature a post-screening Q&A with Smith, Stam, actress Brookelyn Hebert (Chicago Med), cinematographer Jose Perez (What Rhymes With Magdalena?), and hair/makeup artist Heather Vogt (All Happy Families).

For more information on these and other future screenings, visit Smith’s official website.

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