Posted by Larry Gleeson

Adventure, life and death survival, rescue and self-discovery. Based on the true story of the life of first-time screenwriter/director Lori Stoll, the award-winning “Heaven’s Floor” (http://heavensfloorthemovie.com) is a soul-stirring feature touching hearts and inspiring moviegoers on the international film festival circuit. Set on the frozen tundra of the Canadian Arctic and Los Angeles where the real-life events took place, Stoll’s sentimental tale is packing theaters everywhere while collecting awards and picking up deserved accolades along the way – the winner of the Napa Valley Film Festival and the Grand Jury Award winner at the Alaska International Film Awards.

“Gripping. Opens up a reality we rarely see on film.”

“Heaven’s Floor” will screen at the Newport Beach Film Festival on Sunday, April 23 (2:15pm) and Thursday, April 27 (2:30pm).

In “Heaven’s Floor,” the character based on Stoll, Julia, is played by Clea DuVall. A hot-shot photographer is intrigued at the invitation to embark upon an expedition traversing the spacious Canadian Arctic for a photographic assignment. Upon arrival, she found the promises made by her arrogant guide to be empty and she was utterly unprepared to face the brutal frigid conditions that confronted her. Abandoned and left to fend for herself, Julia is rescued by an eleven-year-old Inuit girl, Malaya, and the girl’s uncle. They bring Julia to their little Inuit community where the photographer is stuck for over a week. During that time, she bonds closely with and becomes attached to Malaya, played by first-time actress Katie May Dunford, winner of the Best Actress award at the El Dorado Film Festival. Shortly after returning home to Los Angeles, Julia learns that Malaya has become orphaned. Instinctively compelled to bring the girl back home to live with her, conflict ensues between Julia and her husband and son, who resent Julia’s maternal decision. After Malaya struggles to adapt to her new home, family and busy new culture, Julia is left brokenhearted when her adopted daughter decides to return to her homeland.

Stoll’s adopted daughter, Malaya Qaunirq Chapman, serves as the film’s executive producer. Making the motion picture is the realization of a nearly decade-long project with the mother and daughter initially intending to share their story as a book. Instead, Stoll wrote a screenplay for the film that debuted at the Cinequest Film Festival.

(Source: Press material provided by Rick Scott)