The Best Science Fiction & Fantasy Web Series Of 2017

2017 was the most subdued year for the release of science fiction and fantasy web series since we began covering them almost five years ago.

This is a testament to the difficulties and challenges inherent in independent filmmaking.

It also maybe why the few web series we did feature in 2017 were such standouts.

These projects are unique and varied in theme, tone, aesthetic, and scope, but they share one distinct commonality: they push the boundaries of the genre in provocative, groundbreaking, and exciting ways.

Keloid

A young man discovers his nascent supernatural powers run in the family - and can be extremely dangerous.  Pursued by mysterious forces, the titular Keloid and his mother are forced to live life on the run. 

Produced by the Black TV & Film Collective and created by filmmaker Huriyyah Muhammad, this exceptional web series centers an African-American family at the heart of a compelling supernatural drama.

Here We Wait

This poignant supernatural drama boasts a most unique and intriguing premise: when people die, their souls are immediately transported to purgatory - a restaurant ironically named "Here." There they enjoy a final meal before moving on to their final destination in the afterlife.

The wait staff of Here are lost souls who must serve the restaurant's patrons until they receive their call to move on.

Created by Olivia Baptista and Diane Chen, this 20-episode web series serves up provocative commentary on the complexities of the human condition sans the cynicism and pretentious, murky mythology plagued by similar genre dramas like Lost, The Leftovers, and The OA.

Here We Wait is accessible because its diverse cast of talented young actors bring to life characters who wrestle with personal foibles and life's unending questions in a way that feels real and resonant.

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Enjoyed our picks for best SF&F web series of 2017? Then please check out our list of top genre short films!

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Make sure to check out our podcast Eye On Sci-Fi. Join host and The 7th Matrix founder Rod T. Faulkner as he spotlights terrific indie SFF short films and web series.

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The 7th Matrix Presents The Online Premiere Of 'CRONOS' - A Transgender Fairy Tale

Michael Lyle as Raye

CRONOS is a modern fairy tale centering Raye (Michael Lyle), a transgender janitor who longs to escape her dead-end job and toxic relationship with her distant, bulimic boyfriend.

Raye's fondest wish is to become a singer, and one fateful day she encounters Cronos (Deprece Reddick) a enigmatic supernatural being who seemingly makes her dreams come true.

In the end, Raye discovers the path to true happiness lies in her taking control of her own destiny.

To be clear, CRONOS is not your standard, traditional narrative - which is the key to its charm.

The short exists in a slightly off-kilter reality that gives it a dreamlike quality perfectly suited to its modern fable aspirations.

Writer and director Nic Collins (Year Of The Snake) creates a hazy and ephemeral dramatic canvas which he uses to deconstruct prevalent media tropes, such as the role of white male protagonists, sexual identity, the allure of wish fulfillment, and the power of self-determination.

Check out CRONOS here ...

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Filmmaker Nic Collins

As part of the online premiere of CRONOS here at The 7th Matrix, filmmaker Nic Collins was very gracious in taking time to discuss with us his inspiration for the short, his own filmmaking influences, his future plans, and more!

T7M: Are you a fan of science fiction and fantasy, and if so, who or what inspired your love of the genre?

NC: I love science fiction and fantasy so much. They are my favorite genres to play in because you can really cut loose and create whatever rules you want for your world and the audience will come along for the ride. My biggest inspiration is comic books. Specifically works from Grant Morrison.

T7M: At what point in your life did you realize you wanted to be a filmmaker?

NC: When I was a kid my parents were gonna get rid of their VHS camera but offered it to me. I started making things with my brother Zack and my friends. We started making superhero shorts and James Bond shorts. Filming our toys and making stories out of them. In high school I made a feature length Watchmen film and during the process it became clear that filmmaking is the most joyful thing in the world.

T7M: How would you describe the premise of your latest project, the online short film CRONOS?

NC: CRONOS is a fairy tale that follows a transgender janitor who dreams of escaping her conditions only to discover the consequences of wishing for a better life.

T7M: How did the concept for the short film develop?

NC: I had always wanted to make a film where the actor playing the lead changed halfway through but I wanted it to be motivated by story. The relationship between a transwoman who is still early in her transition and a closeted gay man was something I spent a lot of time writing and it was at one point it’s own short film. Cronos is a character I created as an antagonist for the second season of Year of the Snake which then became the web series Beached that I’m shooting right now. I have pages and pages of stories and origins for Cronos. I’m going to do a lot more with that character.

T7M: In its brief runtime, CRONOS touches on dysfunctional relationships, the perils of wish fulfillment, and more. What is the main take away you want audiences to get?

NC: Hopefully confront any toxic relationships they have and know that the grass is never greener, and that no one is coming to save you.

T7M: What is most notable about CRONOS is it features a transgender woman as the main protagonist. There are many necessary and critical conversations going on about increased representation in media for minority and marginalized groups. Why do you believe more inclusive representation onscreen is important?

NC: I think if you are a white male and have the privilege to create films and if you genuinely are an ally then I believe you have to make an active effort toward representing minority and marginalized groups in your work. It’s important that every person in this country sees themselves in film, and I really hope I do represent [that] in an inoffensive and authentic way.

T7M: CRONOS pushes boundaries in terms of subject matter and narrative conventions.  This seems to be a major hallmark of your work. Would you consider yourself an avant-garde director?

NC: I really appreciate the kind words. I just like to make films that are very hard for me to make. Like when I'm sitting there writing I want to be going crazy. For me the joy in creating is trying to make something I’ve have never ever seen before.

T7M: Like your SF&F web series Year Of The Snake, CRONOS is being released exclusively online. Is the web your medium of choice?

NC: I think the best way to get your stuff in front of people right away is online, and I really like to get my stuff out there asap so I can move onto the next one. Thank god for the internet, [otherwise] I would have no career.

T7M: Where can our readers find out more about you, and your future projects?

NC: My instagram is @niccollins.jpeg I use that the most. My web site is niccollins.com.

- END-

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We thank Nic for making us the home of the online premiere of CRONOS, as well as taking time out of his hectic schedule to speak with us.

Please make sure to check out his SF&F web series Year Of The Snake (coincidentally, Nic also revealed CRONOS and YOTS are part of a shared universe he's building. Pretty cool!)

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Fantasy Short Film Spotlight: LOOKOUTS

Deep in the heart of an ancient woodland, one boy must confront a terrible creature born from legend.

Produced by RedGate Films from the 2009 Penny Arcade comic of the same name, LOOKOUTS is story of Pehn (Kelton Roney), who along with his village's boy scout troop, is hunting a terrifying, winged Basilisk.

Tragically, the hunters become the hunted, and Pehn must confront the Basilisk alone in the heart of the forbidding Eyrewood forest.

LOOKOUTS was brought to life by director David Bousquet and producer Kristin Bousquet, who were inspired by the fantasy films of their youth, as well as the iconic creature effects work of the legendary Jim Henson.

The filmmaker's devotion paid off because this film is among the most gorgeous fantasy shorts I've ever seen so far.

Everything from the meticulously detailed props and costume designs, to the impressive creature effects testify to the overall cinematic superiority of practical effects over CGI.

Another significant character in the film is its setting.

Shot on location in California's Mendocino Forests, the majestic Redwood trees and verdant foliage makes it seem as if the viewer has been transported to a fabled land, home to living myths.

Watch LOOKOUTS the fantasy short film here ...

To get an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at the making of LOOKOUTS, visit the film's official site LookOutsShortFilm.com

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Fantasy Short Film Spotlight: SHANGO

He is the god of thunder, fire, and storm.

He is the patron of warriors. If you are thinking I am referring to the Greek god Zeus, or the Norse god Thor, you would be wrong.

In the breathtaking animated fantasy short SHANGO, we meet the titular deity who is Orisha: a member of the West African pantheon of gods and goddesses.

We witness the thunder god in his celestial palace observing his people about to come under attack from a vast enemy horde.

Being a very protective god, Shango unleashes his fury and power upon the enemies of his beloved worshippers.

Created as his Master of Arts thesis, filmmaker Michael Rhima has crafted a brief concept film that is gorgeously designed, animated, and rendered.

Like RED ORIGINS, another outstanding fantasy property based on West African traditions, SHANGO further proves African mythology can infuse speculative narratives with (much needed) originality, dynamism, and fresh perspectives.

Watch SHANGO here ...

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Fantasy Short Film Spotlight: SOAR

On a gorgeous sunny day testing her model airplane designs, a young girl encounters a miniature boy whose strange ship has fallen from the sky.

Eager to help, she uses all of her ingenuity to aid her new friend in repairing his vessel so he can return to the skies before it's too late.

Written and directed by Alyce Tzue, SOAR is an award winning 3D-animated short film loaded with charm, whimsy, and imagination.

Originally conceived as Tzue's student thesis, SOAR turned heads and won much deserved acclaim on the 2015 short film festival circuit.

This delightful tale about friendship, cooperation, and magic is a must see for film lovers of all ages.

Watch SOAR here ...

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RED ORIGINS - A Groundbreaking All-Ages Web Comic Steeped In West African Mysticism

When it comes to original ideas, Hollywood isn't what immediately comes to mind.

For example, Disney is now resorting to adapting its animated films into live-action versions (see Cinderella, Beauty & The Beast, and The Jungle Book).

In terms of movies and television series taken from speculative fiction, most remain overwhelmingly based on Western culture, philosophy, and traditions.

The grand result is an uninspired, homogenized cavalcade of narratives many of us have seen in various iterations countless times before. All this in service to Tinseltown's addled fervor to produce the next blockbuster.

It was out of this frustration that led Nigerian-American brothers Obi Ubeh and Onyi Ubeh to found Kolanut Productions, an independent animation, comic, and gaming studio. 

The studio's mandate is to produce media from emerging, untapped markets, including the rich traditions of African mysticism.

Enter the all-ages web comic RED ORIGINS, Kolanut's inaugural project.

Image Property of Kolanut Productions

RED ORIGINS is about the exploits of three young friends, Obi, Temi, and Jon, who find themselves transported to neo-Africa in the year 2070.

Upon their arrival, the trio is conscripted into a magical peacekeeping force, and each is granted unique powers based on juju magic.

In order to return home, the three friends must navigate a new world where war between Ancestral Africa and Neo-Technological Africa is about to explode.

Watch the RED ORIGINS teaser trailer ...

You can view each installment of the web comic, and listen to its accompanying soundtrack available here.

New installments are scheduled to be released each week, so please make sure to signup for the webcomic's newsletter to stay informed.

The Ubeh Brothers have stated their end goal is to have Red Origins adapted into an animated series. Check out their successful crowdfunding campaign here: Red Origins Kickstarter.

I sincerely hope they succeed, because this engaging story is perfect for animation, and would most definitely infuse the animated world with much needed originality and diversity.

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Top Indie Sci-Fi And Fantasy Webseries Of 2016

Last year was one of the most robust we've ever seen in terms of the production and release of independent genre webseries.

Our 2015 list of top webseries contained a sampling of projects diverse in tone, theme,  perspective, and scope.

However, 2016 has proven to have been a challenging one for many webseries creators.  

Raising production funding, creating public awareness, determining appropriate distribution, and figuring out sustainable monetization models has been a daunting challenge.

As a result, this year saw a more subdued production and release schedule.

The medium is still in its adolescence, and experiencing growing pains. Despite these hurdles, art always finds a way.

 In 2016, we covered some truly remarkable - and in some cases - groundbreaking sci-fi and fantasy webseries.

This list presents projects we feel are among the best SF&F webseries of 2016:

(Click on each image or title to view the selection and read our original review)

NORTHBOUND

This six-part post-apocalyptic webseries is set a year after a mysterious catastrophe has decimated the world's population.

During the height of winter, while trekking through a frozen wilderness, an unnamed man must battle disease, the elements, and hostile fellow survivors while seeking a final sanctuary.

NORTHBOUND was filmed during the winter on location in the scenic Upper Peninsula region of Michigan. In fact, the breathtaking landscape is a major character in the story.

Against this backdrop, this modern retelling of the classic "man vs man, man vs nature" narrative holds unexpected power and resonance. 

DAGGER KISS

Billed by creator Tucky Williams as a "girl Lord Of The Rings meets The Highlander," this webseries breaks new ground as a feminist, sword-and-sorcery fantasy featuring lesbian protagonists.

DAGGER KISS tells the story of Arden, a powerful sorceress from an alternate dimension, who travels to earth to exact revenge on the dark wizard who murdered her lover. 

After arriving on earth, Arden's life is saved by the mysterious Katia.  The two women form an alliance in order to track down the wizard both are hunting.

DAGGER KISS is a refreshing change from the overwhelmingly heteronormative, cis male centered narratives that comprise the bulk of the fantasy genre.

REN: THE GIRL WITH THE MARK

Set on the medieval-like world of Alathia, the titular Ren is a self-possessed young woman who is curious about the world outside her tiny village.

After a fateful encounter in the woods near her home, Ren discovers she has been marked by a powerful spirit..

Ostracized by her community, she sets out to discover her true destiny.

REN is among a growing number of dynamic genre projects centering charismatic women as compelling, complex and nuanced protagonists.

THE RECORD KEEPER

Witness a cosmic battle between the eternal forces of good and evil, set against the backdrop of a highly realized steampunk-inspired world.

THE RECORD KEEPER tells the story of Raina,  a high-ranking angel who has been tasked with recording and collecting detailed accounts of the war from combatants on both sides.

After eons of unwavering devotion to her duties, Raina falls into despair over the toll the conflict is taking on her brothers and sisters.

She must ultimately confront betrayal, fear, doubt and loss in order to restore her faith.

THE RECORD KEEPER is extraordinary in terms of its ambition, narrative, aesthetic, scope, and  production.   

NINA UNLOCKED

NINA UNLOCKED is the inaugural web series produced by new sci-fi digital video platform RECURSOR.TV.

Nina (portrayed by YouTube star Lana McKissack) is a sophisticated android assassin with one big problem - she has lost her memories.

In order to uncover her identity and true purpose, Nina embarks on a journey of self-discovery.

She interviews top experts from multiple disciplines, including: robotics, science, medicine, education, film, law, etc., to gain insight not only into her nature, but humanity's as well.

NINA UNLOCKED is a sci-fi comedy that follows in the tradition of similarly themed projects such as WestWorld, Humans, and Ex Machina.

INHUMAN CONDITION

Set in a world where supernatural beings such as zombies, werewolves, and vampires not only exist, but the general public is aware of them.

Enter Doctor Michelle Kessler (Tori Higginson, Stargate Atlantis), an accomplished therapist who specializes in treating members of the paranormal community.

Dr. Kessler becomes consumed with helping three of her most troubled patients:

• Tamar, an emotionally fragile young woman who possesses incomprehensible power

• Linc, a jaded werewolf who is fighting against the systemic oppression of his people

• Clara, a depressed woman who is coping with her inexorable transformation into a zombie

While the project's production is exemplary on every level, it's the writing and acting that places this webseries in a category all by itself.

Written by RJ Lackie,  INHUMAN CONDITION is a brilliantly written, astute exploration into the complexity and beauty of the human experience.

 If you enjoyed our selections for best SF&F webseries of 2016, make sure to check out our picks from 2015.

Also, we have compiled a list of the top SF&F short films of 2016.

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16 Of The Best Indie Sci-Fi And Fantasy Short Films of 2016

From the troubling and disturbing political developments in Washington, D.C., to the rise of bigotry, racism, and intolerance here in the United States, to say 2016 has been a difficult year for many would be quite an understatement.   

Thankfully, one of the bright spots of this year has been in the arena of independent genre film.

2016 saw an explosion of science fiction and fantasy short films that pushes the envelope in every area of production, including theme, visual effects, art design, and scale.

So, we are pleased to present our picks for the best genre short films of 2016. Note: these terrific selections are listed in no particular order or ranking. Ranking them would be harder than keeping a mogwai dry!

(Click on each image or title to view the selection and read our original review)

UFO Diary

During World War II, what if women officers in the United States army were instrumental in stopping an alien invasion?

That tantalizing question forms the premise of UFO Diary, an exceptional period piece and sci-fi adventure that celebrates the heroic contributions of the women who serve in the armed services.

RAIN

The X-Men are some of the most popular comic book characters  ever created.

Among them, one of the most iconic is Storm, a Kenyan princess with the power to control the weather itself.

Storm in the comics is a intelligent, bold, compassionate, powerful, and dynamic woman. 

Unfortunately, the character's charisma and personality were almost non-existent in the film adaptations of The X-Men.

Enter Maya Glick, a renaissance woman who wanted to bring to screen a more accurate portrayal of one of her favorite characters.

After conducting a successful crowdfunding campaign, Glick succeeded in producing RAIN, a short film that shows the world an electrifying Storm never before seen onscreen.

SHADOWS

This dark dystopian short set in the year 2037 depicts a London under the control of a fascist regime.

Due to terrorist attacks, civil liberties are things of the past.  The government spies on its citizenry with a fleet of weaponized drones, and spyware that can infiltrate any electronic device.

Welcome to a totalitarian nightmare that may be closer to reality than we would like to imagine.

TRIAL

During a near-future military conflict, a soldier is grievously wounded in battle.

Due to high mortality and low recruitment rates, fringe science is used to heal and rejuvenate the injured solider - but at a terrible price.

This sizzling sci-fi thriller has it all - mystery, charismatic leads, and dynamic action sequences.

GROW

In the year 2083, climate change has irreparably damaged the earth's ecology.

Air pollution has made the atmosphere incapable of sustaining human life.  

The only means of obtaining precious oxygen is by purchasing it from the major corporations that control it.

GROW is a grim and startling cautionary tale about the kind of future our children may inherit due to our ecological malfeasance. 

GEAR

Set in the back allies of a sprawling futuristic metropolis, GEAR chronicles the adventures of a precocious street urchin named Mazzy.

Surviving on her own, Mazzy is intelligent, resourceful, brave, and most determined to rescue a most unlikely ally from a shadowy cabal.

GEAR is an exciting sci-fi adventure that introduces a captivating young heroine.

LILITU

A woman with a special psychic gift is enlisted to help a priest fight an ancient, unspeakable evil.

This unnerving and atmospheric horror short is reminiscent of classics such as Rosemary's Baby and The Haunting.

EMPSILLNES

Four years in the making, this animated masterpiece depicts a lone astronaut's struggle for survival aboard a gigantic space station adrift at the edge of the solar system.

The brainchild of animator Jakob Grygier, this short film boasts a eye-popping mix of CGI and 3D animation that creates a breathtaking portrait of space.

SAURORA

Beneath the ocean of a distant planet, two divers desperately work to rescue a injured colleague.

Reminiscent of James Cameron's sci-fi groundbreaker The Abyss, SAURORA is a tense thriller with spectacular visual effects that convincingly create an ethereal and dangerous alien underwater environment.

UNCANNY VALLEY

Welcome to a future where virtual reality technology has become so immersive, its environments are indistinguishable from the real world.

As a result, people have become addicted to using the technology at the expense of their physical well-being and personal relationships.

With virtual reality potentially causing a paradigm shift in the way we interact with technology, filmmaker Frederico Heller has imagined a future that feels disturbingly prescient.

ZELOS

(Caution: Contains MATURE themes)

Maria is a woman living a charmed life.

She has a devoted husband, two beautiful children, a thriving career, and a gorgeous home.

But when her competition with a seemingly perfect rival ratchets up, Maria orders a clone of herself to help her manage her numerous responsibilities. 

She may have just made the biggest mistake of her life.

This provocative short film explores how technology meant to connect us, can actually have quite the opposite affect.

TEMPLE

This explosive cyberpunk thriller by director Nguyen-Anh Nguyen and starring Osric Chau (Supernatural) is set in a future where cybernetic enhancements to the human body have become commonplace.

Oz (Chau) is on a quest to find a unique cybernetic organ that can save a loved one from death by a deadly virus.

With its combination of impressive visual effects and exciting fight choreography, TEMPLE is a high-octane thrill ride from start to finish.

DARKWAVE: EDGE OF THE STORM

One hundred years into the future, humanity has finally expanded out among the stars.

On a distant world, Sarah, along with her husband Ben and young son, are fleeing from their repressive government.

During their flight, the family makes a discovery that could alter the course of human destiny.

DARKWAVE achieves a cinematic sense of size and scope due to its exceptional production on every level.

KARA

With the highly-anticipated releases of Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Star Wars: Rogue One, George Lucas' iconic space opera has been cemented as the preeminent science fiction franchise in the world.

Part of the beauty of Star Wars is its universe is vast enough to include intriguing stories featuring fascinating tertiary characters.

The unofficial indie film KARA is a brilliant example of such storytelling.

The short focuses on the titular Kara, a young woman with a extraordinary secret that could alter the outcome of the galactic war.

The Adept

Ben and Maddy are a married team of scientists engrossed in solving a vexing problem with their research.

During the course of their work, they encounter a mysterious force that seems like ... magic.

This thoroughly entertaining short film raises fascinating questions about our perceptions of reality.

DUST

On a verdant world, a deadly plague is decimating the citizens of an enormous fortified city.

One man possesses the arcane knowledge to find and eliminate the source of the scourge.

Unfortunately, he must also overcome personal tragedy and a crisis of faith if his world has any hope to survive.

Filmed in Japan, DUST by Ember Lab is one of the most extraordinary SF&F short films we've ever seen.

Its combination of lush cinematography, East Asian inspired art design, compelling narrative, and phenomenal visual effects easily makes this short film among the very best we have seen this year.

If you enjoyed these short films, make sure to check out our picks for the top SF&F WEBSERIES of 2016. 

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Fantasy Short Film Spotlight: DUST

Occasionally a fantasy short film is released that is so good it raises the bar for the rest of the genre.

The fantasy short DUST is without a doubt just such an extraordinary film.

Released after a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2012, DUST is set in a lush world whose ecology is studied and protected by a group of people known as "trackers."

Trackers study the interrelationship between all livings things and catalog the evolution of life.

Trackers are also extremely adept in the healing arts.

When the planet became more industrialized, people began clustering in huge, fortified cities, becoming more isolated from nature. Trackers and all their knowledge soon became an arcane art.

At the beginning of the film,  a virulent plague has begun decimating the citizens of a walled city. An opportunistic merchant (Michael Evans Lopez) hires an apostate tracker named Irezumi (Mashasi Odate) to find the source of the mysterious plague and create a cure.

However, Irezumi must come to terms with his own tragic past if his dangerous mission is to succeed.

Written by Jason Gallaty, Josh Grier, and Michael Grier (who also directed), DUST is an ambitious short film heavily influenced by anime, horror, and silkpunk - a subgenre that imagines sci-fi and fantasy through the cultural lens of East Asia.

Shot in Japan, the film's cinematography is brilliantly used to highlight the natural beauty of the nation's countryside. Combined with stunning visual effects, the net result is a fantasy short that succeeds in creating a verdant world filled with wondrous creatures. 

The film's art design is inspired by the culture and traditions of East Asia to create a unique setting that is a far cry from typical medieval European influenced fantasy aesthetics.

Kudos to the film's production studio, Ember Lab, for using impressive visual effects to create a menagerie of mesmerizing fantastical beasts. 

The entire production succeeds in creating a rich world that will enchant from the opening credits to the final scene.

With its sumptuous production, unique setting, timely environmental message, and dazzling visuals, DUST has secured its place among the best fantasy shorts ever produced.

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Enjoy over 30 hours of outstanding sci-fi, horror, and fantasy short films by downloading our film guide, 200 Best Online Sci-Fi Short Films.

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Introducing 'Ren: The Girl With The Mark' - A Remarkable Woman-Led Fantasy

Ren: The Girl With The Mark is a first-rate fantasy web series created by producer-director Kate Madison, and actor-writer Christopher Dane.

The web series chronicles the adventures of the titular Ren (Sophie Skelton), a captivating young woman who lives in a fantasy world called Alathia.

While in the deep woods near her village, Ren has a fateful encounter that ends with her becoming possessed and marked by a powerful mystical spirit.

She soon finds herself ostracized by the people of her village due to their ignorance and fear of her mark.

Now known as a dreaded "Marked One," Ren is cast out of her home and placed on course to discover her destiny.

Watch the official series here ...

Ren is a welcome addition to a growing list of genre projects created by women, featuring young heroines who are intelligent, self-possessed, dauntless, compassionate, and who can kick ass when necessary!

Sophie Skelton is a revelation as the courageous Ren.

The success of the series rests on you caring about Ren and the world she inhabits. Skelton impressively meets the challenge quite ably.

Her performance is exemplary. She brings much charisma and spark to the role. Her appeal makes you instantly become invested in Ren and her plight.

As for the rest of the cast, each of the actors also turn in wonderful performances that are completely convincing.

Ren also boasts masterful production design, including: stunning location shots, beautiful sets, exquisite costumes, highly-detailed props, exciting fight sequences, and gorgeous cinematography.

I'm certain this outstanding fantasy web series is going to accumulate a mountain of accolades and awards.

Once you view it for yourself, I think you will agree.

To watch the entire five-episode first season, and to delve further into the rich world of Ren, visit its official web site Ren: The Girl With The Mark

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Sci-Fi Short Film Spotlight: The Adept - What Happens When The Line Between Science And Magic Blurs?

The Adept is an intriguing new sci-fi/fantasy short by filmmaker Adam Stern.

Ben (Adam Greydon Reid) and Maddy (Jennifer Spence) are a brilliant married scientist couple at home working on a problem with their research.

As Ben is theorizing a complex solution, he inadvertently gains control of a unknown force that grants him abilities that seem like... magic.

As he and Maddy process the tremendous implications of their discovery, they come to the attention of mysterious strangers.

What happens next will alter their world forever.

Watch The Adept in its entirety here ...

Also, listen to the gorgeous main theme, composed by Adam Stern ... 

[UPDATE: Check out The 7th Matrix interview with The Adept creator Adam Stern!]

The Adept raises fascinating questions about our perception of reality, and the relationship between science and magic.

Also, the film is very well acted and produced, with solid visual effects - as well as a cliffhanger ending that hints at more to come.

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Enjoy over 30 hours of outstanding sci-fi, horror, and fantasy short films by downloading our ebook 200 Best Online Sci-Fi Short Films.

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Dagger Kiss - A Bold Lesbian Fantasy Web Series

Dagger Kiss is a new eight episode lesbian fantasy web series from filmmaker Tucky Williams about a otherworldly sorceress named Arden (Tucky Williams), who travels to earth to avenge the death of her lover Mia (Stoya).

When she arrives on earth, her life is saved by a mysterious woman named Katia (Amanda K. Morales).

Arden enlists Katia's aid in her quest to track down an evil wizard named Zareth (Thomas J. Phillips) who has also come to the earth.

Billed as "a girl Lord Of The Rings meets Highlander," Dagger Kiss is a feminist take on standard fantasy-adventure tales that overwhelmingly center on white, cisgender, heterosexual men.

Here at The 7th Matrix, we most definitely make an extra effort to promote science fiction and fantasy narratives told from the perspectives of marginalized groups.

We believe narratives by marginalized groups add much needed representation, variety, and richness to speculative fiction.

Dagger Kiss is certainly a welcome addition to an exploding collective of fresh, diverse voices in science fiction and fantasy.

Watch the official series trailer here ...

All episodes of Dagger Kiss are now available via streaming on Amazon Video.

Update 09/20/20: There is now a full-length feature film spinoff of the web series exclusively available for viewing via Amazon Prime Video! Watch Dagger Kiss Enchanted Forest On Prime Video.

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