From Silicon Valley to Martha’s Vineyard to the Midwest: Sci-Fi Drama Heartworm Kicks Off 2026 Film Fest Run w/ Screenings at Cinequest, Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival, and the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival
The evocative science fiction drama Heartworm, written and directed by Miriam Louise Arens and Mitchell Arens, kicks off its 2026 festival run with screenings at three acclaimed festivals across the United States: the Cinequest Film & Creativity Festival in Silicon Valley, the Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival, and the 15th Julien Dubuque International Film Festival.
Set in a near future shaped by immersive artificial intelligence, Heartworm follows Avena and Mark, parents navigating unimaginable loss who turn to NeuraLife, an advanced digital ecosystem capable of recreating memory, voice, and personality. As the line between memory and simulation begins to blur, the couple is forced to confront the profound emotional and ethical consequences of using technology to reconnect with what has been lost.
The film features a striking breakout performance by Tony Award nominee Amber Gray (Hadestown), whose portrayal captures the emotional intensity of a mother confronting the limits of both love and technology. She stars opposite Juan Riedinger (Narcos, Riverdale), with Tony Award winner Lillias White bringing commanding presence to the ensemble.
Shot entirely on Martha’s Vineyard, Heartworm was made in collaboration with the island community, with more than 300 Islanders participating in the production. Filming took place across numerous locations on the island, including the Vineyard Playhouse, Menemsha, and the iconic overlook on Middle Road.
The film’s cinematography by Mitchell Arens moves fluidly between the tactile intimacy of the natural world and the luminous seduction of artificial environments, creating a visual language that mirrors the story’s emotional and technological tensions.
Cinequest Film & Creativity Festival
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Mountain View, California
• Saturday, March 14, 2026 – 2:30 PM
• Tuesday, March 17, 2026 – 2:35 PM
Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival
Grange Hall, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
• Thursday, March 26, 2026 – 8:00 PM
Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
• Friday, March 27, 2026 – 5:00 PM
Julien Dubuque International Film Festival
Phoenix Theatres #2, Dubuque, Iowa
• Wednesday, April 22, 2026 – 8:00 PM
Grand Opera House, Dubuque, Iowa
• Thursday, April 23, 2026 – 2:15 PM
As Heartworm travels from the global center of technological innovation in Silicon Valley to the artistic community of Martha’s Vineyard and onward to the Midwest’s celebrated Julien Dubuque International Film Festival, the film continues to spark conversations about memory, grief, and the increasingly complex relationship between humanity and artificial intelligence.
