Alice Heart (2025 | US | 93 minutes | Mike Macera)

The epitome of indie film, we’re introduced to the down on her luck, or more accurately overly entitled college student Alice Heart. An art student with a lot of opinions that she loves to share with others. We get to hear all about how her teacher is an ass, her mom is unfair for not supporting her after she drops out and her boyfriend for… well, he deserves it though. It was funny and dry and even though I didn’t like the titular character, Lissa Carandang-Sweeney created her convincingly annoying.

Currently available to stream with a virtual Slamdance Fest Pass

Portal to Hell (2025 | US | 93 minutes | Woody Bess)

A ridiculous, yet apt metaphorical view of belief systems and how our personal moral views fit into the acceptable rules of being a “good” human. Does one terrible thing make us bad or can we make amends before the end? Our protagonist Done, a sadsack debt collector, finds a portal to hell in the laundromat. Something soon escapes and he grapples with who should and shouldn’t be the one to accompany the beast back into hell. Really funny in an awkward way and while it deals with some serious existential questions, adds levity that we all need right about now.

Slamdance wast Portal to Hell‘s world premier and is not available via virtual festival pass.

Under the Burning Sun (2025 | US | 74 minutes | Yun Xie)

In complete opposition to the light-hearted feel of Portal to Hell mentioned above, Under the Burning Sun is a Maid’s Tale-esque story set in a Mad Max world where most have to fend for themselves, water is not free and women have little to no autonomy over their own lives. Mowanza (
Stephanie Pardi) is looking to take back control after a stranger changed her course violently and irrevocably. Warning, this one is really triggering and stressful so be careful if you choose to view it.

Currently available to stream with a virtual Slamdance Fest Pass