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HEKLA is a comedy/drama about the emotional cost of pursuing a creative life. Set over one hectic day in Chicago, it explores how ambition, identity, and vulnerability collide when you’re chasing something as personal – and uncertain – as an acting career. Hekla Gudmunsdottir (Elizabeth Stam), a determined actress, races through auditions, breakups, and self-doubt, risking her heart and career to claim her voice and step fully into the artist and woman she’s meant to be: Hekla goes on four auditions, gets new headshots, and plays Lady Macbeth in a dive bar, all while attempting to keep intrusive thoughts of a recently ended relationship at bay. Beneath the humor and dramatic momentum lies a story about the importance of showing up for yourself, even when the world isn’t clapping for you yet.
HEKLA stars Elizabeth Stam (Relative), Wendy Robie (Twin Peaks), Mary Tilden (Rough River Lake), Brookelyn Hebert (Chicago Med), and Sadieh Rifai (Shining Girls). The film was written by Stam and Michael Glover Smith (Relative) and was directed by Smith. HEKLA represents Stam’s first leading role in a feature film as well as her first time stepping into behind-the-camera roles as producer and co-writer.
HEKLA had its World Premiere at George Lindsey UNA Film Festival where the film won the Festival Spirit Award for Elizabeth Stam. Dances With Films will be the film’s West Coast Premiere. The film has a running time of 89 minutes and is available for sale in all territories.
HEKLA WILL HAVE ITS WEST COAST PREMIERE AT DANCES WITH FILMS ON JUNE 23 AT 6:30 p.m.
Tickets: https://danceswithfilms.com/2026-hekla
