Keith David is set to star the horror comedy Portal to Hell, which has secured worldwide sales and distribution through genre-focused banner Raven Banner ahead of its debut screening at Slamdance.
Written, directed, and shot by Woody Bess, Portal to Hell follows Dunn (Trey Holland), a debt collector whose mundane life takes a supernatural turn when a portal to hell unexpectedly opens inside a laundromat. A demon, played by Richard Kind, emerges with a mission—to drag Dunn’s neighbor, Mr. Bobshank (Keith David), to the underworld over an unpaid debt. While Dunn is skilled at settling financial disputes, this otherworldly transaction comes with a chilling ultimatum: three souls in exchange for Bobshank’s freedom. Refusing the sinister bargain, Dunn finds himself at a moral crossroads when one of his own debtors stumbles into the chaos, forcing him to make a life-altering decision.
The ensemble cast includes Romina D’Ugo, Michael McDonald, Casey Deidrick, Trevor Newlin, Ryan Follesé, Kevin Fonteyne, and Monet Weir.
The film is produced by Trey Holland, Lucas Ford, Tom Watts, and Woody Bess, with production companies Little Shadows, Hello Moon, Ford Films, Dalmatian Cow, and Baked Studios backing the project.
The distribution deal was finalized through negotiations between the film’s producers, Lucas Ford and Trey Holland, and Raven Banner’s General Manager Michael Da Silva and Managing Partner Michael Paszt.
“Portal to Hell is an expertly crafted, stylish, and fun film,” said Da Silva, while Paszt praised Bess’ directorial approach, calling him “an exciting new filmmaker to watch.”
Raven Banner introduced the film to buyers at the European Film Market (EFM) in Berlin, setting the stage for its global rollout.