Alice-Heart drops out of college to finally become a famous writer. When her family cuts her off and her boyfriend breaks up with her, events spiral out of control around the protagonist, and she gets a taste of post-academic reality, one filled with doubts and unpaid bills.
Mike Macera makes his feature debut with this black-and-white film set in present-day Philadelphia. An heir to the mumblecore philosophy and style associated with the Duplass brothers and Joe Swanberg, as well as films like Frances Ha (2012) and more recent works such as Cooper Raiff’s Shithouse (2020), the film embraces a distinctly indie spirit, where naturalism compensates for limited resources. During its run at Slamdance, lead actress Lissa Carandang-Sweeney received the Acting Award, providing a powerful boost for a group of people who view cinema as a collective experience.
With director Mike Macera and actress and producer Lissa Carandang-Sweeney in attendance
Credits
Year: 2025
Runtime: 92′
Country: USA
Direction: Mike Macera
Screenplay: Mike Macera, Lissa Carandang-Sweeney
Cast: Lissa Carandang-Sweeney, Tony McCall, Adam McAlonie
Cinematography: Matthew J. Connelly
Subtitles: Jota Martínez Galiana, Sabina Pujol Cruells
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Contact: Lissa Carandang-Sweeney
Wins & nominations
2025 | Slamdance Film Festival | Acting Award (Lissa Carandang-Sweeney) and Honorable Mention
2025 | Brooklyn Film Festival | Best Narrative Feature Audience Award
