Mountainside (2023 film)

Mountainside is a 2023 American independent comedy-drama film written and directed by Mikiech Nichols, starring Nichols, Nicole Merat, Monisa Brown, Alaina Morretti, and Allyson Norton. The film is set in Seattle and follows Felix, a 30-year-old film projectionist and floundering screenwriter who meets Stella, a chain-smoking cinephile whose friendship ends up inspiring him both creatively and romantically. It is loosely based on the director's real-life experiences.

Plot
After being dumped by his girlfriend, protagonist Felix experiences a prolonged period of writer's block. In an effort to be more social, Felix attends a house party and meets Stella, a fellow cinephile with many of his shared tastes and interests. Despite being friendzoned, Felix falls in love with Stella and has renewed creative inspiration culminating in his writing and directing his first feature film.

Cast

 * Mikiech Nichols as Felix
 * Nicole Merat as Stella
 * Monisa Brown as Ilana
 * Alaina Moretti as Gina
 * Allyson Norton as Nora
 * Juan Rowland as Elijah
 * Sarah Scheller as Evelyn
 * Rich Hawkins as Judas
 * Fantasia Rose as Caroline

Production
Mountainside was filmed entirely on location in Seattle, Washington, where most of the crew and cast were either from or lived during its two and a half years of production. The film was picked up for theatrical distribution by Compassionate Disaster Films and for streaming distribution by DeskPop Entertainment.

Festivals
Mountainside was selected to screen at the following film festivals:
 * 2022 Northwest Film Forum's Local Sightings Film Festival
 * 2023 Tacoma Film Festival
 * 2023 Beyond Hollywood Film Festival
 * 2023 Spokane International Film Festival