One Man's Rustic Life Holds A Poignant Secret In The Greek Sci-Fi Short 'iCON'

The first thing you notice about the Greek sci-fi short film iCON is it is GORGEOUS.

Shot in HD, the short was filmed on scenic Kefalonia Island.

Written by Yiannis Liolios and directed by Konstantina Papadopoulou, iCON is the story of Orpheus (Alexandros Koch) and his wife Daphni (Maria Sefanidou) as they live a typical day in their quaint and rustic cottage.

It is evident Orpheus is a man who loves nature as he passionately maintains the cottage’s grounds and garden.

Also apparent is the deep affection he and his wife share for each other. But after Orpheus has an encounter with a wild dog, a pall of melancholy reveals itself in him.

By now you may be thinking: “Okay, this sounds like an interesting slice-of-life piece, but isn’t this short supposed to be sci-fi?”

Trust me, it is, but the short film’s true speculative identity does not emerge until halfway through. But when it does arrive, the payoff will be worth the wait.

The short delivers on all fronts - the story, direction, acting, cinematography, and production design are skillfully, beautifully executed.

iCON is poignant and affecting with a theme apropos for our modern age.

Watch the short film in its entirety below (DISCLAIMER: Due to a brief scene of nudity and sexuality, this short film is not safe for work or appropriate for all ages. Viewer and parental discretion is advised.):

---

Experience our official 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.

---

We are proud of the fact The 7th Matrix has been operating AD-FREE since its inception in 2013.  Please help us continue.  Thank you!

We also accept donations via Bitcoin using this address:

1EdGZQu1hcpzTYiTzoBD66bFC6ubH1pVL1

13 Of The Best Science Fiction And Genre Short Films Of 2018

From the story of a future London ravaged by a viral pandemic to the breathless adventure of the first human being to travel faster than light, the genre short films we discovered in 2018 explore and mine a dizzying array of human experiences.

The following 15 science fiction and genre short films are our picks for the best of 2018.

REAL ARTISTS

Young animator Sophia is ecstatic when she lands her dream interview with a successful Pixar-like animation studio. When the high-tech secret to the studio’s unprecedented box office success is revealed, Sophia is forced to choose between her own artistic integrity or resigning herself to a soulless creative process. Featuring Tiffany Hines and Tamlyn Tomita, Karate Kid II.

CELL

During the height of World War II, a British solider gone AWOL is captured by the Nazis and imprisoned in a clandestine underground bunker. The prisoner and a mysterious woman are forced to participate in a sadistic psychological experiment sponsored by an unearthly force in league with the Nazis.

NEW

An elderly couple cryogenically preserved in 2012 is revived and rejuvenated back to their youthful prime by the advanced technology of the distant future. As the couple attempt to acclimate to the society of the future, culture shock threatens to unravel their life together.

EINSTEIN-ROSEN

Two bickering brothers, Oscar and Teo, make the scientific discovery of a lifetime via their scientist mother’s quantum physics notes.

SWORD OF THE DEAD

In feudal Japan, an exiled ronin returns to his birthplace only to discover his home stricken by a powerful curse. The undead have overrun his village, forcing the ronin to confront the source of the evil.

STRANGE BEASTS

An advanced augmented reality game, called STRANGE BEASTS, allows users to create and customize their own virtual pets. Like real-life pets, these fantastical virtual counterparts require attention, food, and play in order to thrive. But the game’s ability to blur the lines between the virtual world and reality has a dark side.

A CRIMSON MAN

In a land ripped part by a war between humans and robots known as “Crimson Men,” a runaway young boy named Wei encounters a battle-scared crimson man also fleeing the war. After Wei dubs the robot “Red,” the two reluctantly agree to join forces in order to escape the violence and destruction of the war.

BIOPUNK

In 2054, a global viral pandemic transforms London into an enormous shantytown populated by survivors. Suddenly, those immune to the plague begin disappearing from the city. A woman named Resha begins a frantic search for her young brother who has recently gone missing. She realizes she must confront dangerous, shadowy forces if she hopes to ever see her brother again. Featuring Kristian Nairn (Hodor, Game Of Thrones) in a supporting role.

THE NINGYO

In this lavish steampunk adventure set at the turn of the 20th century, a disgraced paleontologist is discredited due to his obsession with the Japanese cryptid known as the ningyo. Professor C. Marlowe believes the ningyo exists, and stakes his scientific career on proving it. However, other mysterious parties - including a powerful Japanese aristocrat - believe in the legend too, and Professor Marlowe’s quest takes a dangerous turn. This short also features Tamlyn Tomita!

POSTHUMAN

In this animated cyberpunk thriller, super-science and fascism rule the future. Against this backdrop, a genius hacker and a powerful psychic join forces to free a government prisoner from obscene experiments. Featuring the voice of Tricia Helfer (Lucifer, Battlestar Galactica).

INSTANT

This short film from Roddenberry Entertainment is the compelling story of five strangers in a local bar taken as hostages at gunpoint by a desperate man. However, one of the hostages possesses an incredible secret that will forever alter the lives of everyone involved.

LET THEM DIE LIKE LOVERS

Yes, the title makes this short sound like a romantic melodrama, but instead it is an exquisite sci-fi action drama. Deep within a secluded forest, in a solitary cabin, an experimental C.I.A. counter-terrorism program is underway. Within the cabin, Alexa, a covert operative, uses her paranormal ability to “jump” inside the bodies of other people in order to carry out government-sanctioned assassinations. Starring Angela Lewis (Snowfall) and Mustafa Shakir (Luke Cage).

FTL

Science fiction is rife with pessimistic dystopian dramas and post-apocalyptic sagas. FTL by acclaimed visual effects artist Adam Stern and his Artifex Studios is a refreshing reminder of the genre’s ability to inspire hope and wonder. The short tells the story of the fictional Longshot mission and its commander, Ethan Kane. Using the Longshot spacecraft, Kane is attempting to become the first human to travel faster than light. At first the mission seems successful - until a malfunction hurls Kane further than anyone could imagine. Then, the adventure begins. Starring Ty Olsson (Battlestar Galactica, Supernatural).

---

If you enjoyed these selections, make sure to check out our picks for the best science fiction and genre short films of 2017!

---

Experience our official 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.

---

We are proud of the fact The 7th Matrix has been operating AD-FREE since its inception in 2013.  Please help us continue.  Thank you!

We also accept donations via Bitcoin using this address:

1EdGZQu1hcpzTYiTzoBD66bFC6ubH1pVL1

Three UFOs Invade A Home On Christmas Eve, And The Holiday Will Never Be Same In The Sci-Fi Short 'INVADERS'

INVADERS is a short film that merges two themes usually not associated together: Christmas and science fiction.

Written and directed by Daniel Prince, INVADERS takes place on Christmas Eve when a trio of minuscule UFOs fall from the late night sky into a chimney of a family’s home.

There, the three tiny alien entities have amusing “first encounters” with the festive decorations adorning the house. Eventually, one of the trio has a fateful interaction with one of the personifications of the holiday, and Christmas will never be the same again!

INVADERS is a homage to classic genre films of the ‘80s, such as Gremlins, Short Circuit, Batteries Not Included, and Flight Of The Navigator.

Genre films of that era are notable for centering otherworldly, though often very childlike, beings whose curiosity about our world leads to inevitable misadventures.

INVADERS most definitely follows that template, succeeding in generating a tale of whimsy perfect for the holiday season.

The short also pokes gentle fun at popular UFO urban legends. Watch for comical nods to crop circles and alien abductions.

At the production level, the designs for the three tiny UFOs are highly detailed and almost resemble toy models - which perfectly complements the short’s holiday theme.

The animation and visual effects are also very impressive and helps to make the film a very engaging viewing experience.

Watch INVADERS in its entirety below, but you may want to avoid mentioning the film to Santa and his elves:

---

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.

---

We are proud of the fact The 7th Matrix has been operating AD-FREE since its inception in 2013. Please help us continue. Thank you!

We also accept donations via Bitcoin using this address:

1EdGZQu1hcpzTYiTzoBD66bFC6ubH1pVL1

In The Sci-Fi Short 'NEW,' A Married Couple Cryogenically Preserved Is Resurrected In The Distant Future

In the science fiction short film NEW, an elderly couple is resurrected from cryogenic preservation by the advanced technology of the distant future.

Hugh (Jared Abrahamson) and Candace (Joslyn Jensen) decide to have their remains cryogenically frozen in 2012 in the hopes the future will possess the technology to revive them.

Their gambit pays off.

Not only is the couple resurrected in the unspecified distant future, but their bodies have been healed of all prior injuries and medical ailments. Also, their bodies have been rejuvenated to their youthful prime.

As they have a joyful reunion, Hugh and Candice soon realize the future they now inhabit has very little in common with their past life.

All their children, family, and friends are now long deceased. The couple must acclimate to a world transformed, including new technology, the evolution of the language, and different social mores.

While they are treated with kindness by their doting guide Noelle (Jennifer Lafleur), they recognize the world sees them as hallowed artifacts from a bygone era.

Soon Hugh and Candice must deal with the strains on their marriage their new circumstance is causing.

The idea of an individual awakening into a distant future after being cryogenically frozen or placed in suspended animation is an extremely common trope in science fiction.

Written and directed by John Harden, NEW is remarkable due to it not glossing over the very real culture shock a person would most likely experience.

Instead, the short is an emotionally engaging, poignant look at one couple struggling to find their place in a world that is familiar, yet not.

WATCH NEW in its entirety here…

---

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.

---

We are proud of the fact The 7th Matrix has been operating AD-FREE since its inception in 2013. Please help us continue. Thank you!

We also accept donations via Bitcoin using this address:

1EdGZQu1hcpzTYiTzoBD66bFC6ubH1pVL1

'SONA' The Riveting Sci-Fi Series By Ashley Clements Via Legendary Digital Networks' Alpha Streaming Service

What makes for great science fiction?

In my opinion, it is not the presence of cutting-edge visual effects or the involvement of A-list directors and actors.

All great science fiction begins, as in any other genre, with a compelling story.

The sci-fi series SONA is an example of a sci-fi series powered primarily by its engaging narrative.

Ashley Clements as Lt. Belyn Sona

Created by, written, and starring Ashley Clements (The Lizzie Bennet Diaries), the show is set in the early 22nd century.

The series begins with a bang, as United Earth Space Corps. officer Lieutenant Belyn Sona (Clements) is forced to evacuate her starship, the Tarazed, right before its apparent destruction.

Alone in an escape pod adrift in space, Lt. Sona must confront her fraught past and personal demons in order to survive her ordeal.

It is through flashbacks that the viewer learns what has led Lt. Sona to her present dire circumstance.

At this point in earth’s future, humanity has achieved interstellar travel and has also encountered many intelligent alien civilizations throughout the galaxy. In fact, many of these alien beings have traveled to earth and made it their adopted home.

However, a marked rise in xenophobia causes earth’s governments to order all extraterrestrials to leave the planet.

Pictured right: Brendan Bradley as Akiva

Sona’s life partner, Akiva (Brendan Bradley) is an alien, so in a desperate attempt to remain together, she smuggles him aboard the Tarazed.

However, things go horribly wrong, leading to Lt. Sona being stranded alone in space with Akiva’s status unknown.

For the majority of the show’s eight-episode first season, the action takes place aboard the escape pod, with the craft’s artificial intelligence (voiced by Lauren Lopez) being Lt. Sona’s only companion.

In this way, the series is akin to a one-person play - which is a very good thing.

Clements shines as the titular protagonist. Lt. Sona is a multi-faceted character whose reactions and motivations ring true. Clements also skillfully weaves piercing social commentary regarding mental health and cultural intolerance into the narrative in a way that is germane and organic.

This is a testament to Clements’ skills as both an actor and writer.

The series direction by Brendan Bradley - who also portrays Akiva - succeeds in giving the show an extremely intimate, almost voyeuristic, feel as viewers accompany Sona on her emotional and situational journey.

Another hallmark of the series is the depiction of Sona and Akiva’s relationship. Their bond is a source of poignancy which forms the heartbeat of the series.

Watch the trailer for SONA here…

Watch the complete series on YouTube: Sona On YouTube.

---

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.

---

We are proud of the fact The 7th Matrix has been operating AD-FREE since its inception in 2013. Please help us continue. Thank you!

Introducing 'SILENT EYE' The Sci-Fi Anthology Series Shot Entirely On A Smartphone

Many of us would feel naked and lost without our smartphones.

Smartphones have become an indispensable part of modern living.

Besides serving as the hub of our digital lives, the impressive high-definition video recording capabilities of smartphones are being used as a tool by serious filmmakers.

A prime example is SILENT EYE, a British sci-fi anthology series shot entirely on a smartphone.

It is the latest project by Simon Horrocks, a filmmaker who first came to our attention as the creator of the sci-fi mystery web series KOSMOS released several years ago.

SILENT EYE is a close thematic sibling to the popular sci-fi anthology series BLACK MIRROR.

Both series feature futuristic technology as the fulcrum to explore modern societal malaise.

The pilot episode of SILENT EYE is a compelling outing entitled You Have Been Chosen. The episode centers on a despondent London woman named Fiona (Zoe Cunningham).

Fiona is mired in disappointment and regret; she hates her job, her relationship, and her overall lot in life.

She is sent a mysterious invitation to download an app called “Decider” onto her phone. The app promises to vastly improve Fiona’s life by making most of her decisions for her.

Intrigued, Fiona begins using the app to make decisions as mundane as what drink to order at the local coffee shop each morning, to whether or not to quit her job and dump her boyfriend.

By following the app’s recommendations, Fiona’s life seems to transform overnight. She gets a major promotion from her employer and ends her unfulfilling relationship.

However, surrendering one’s agency to someone - or something - else is never a good idea. It’s a valuable lesson Fiona gets reminded of after a dramatic turn of events.

You Have Been Chosen marks an auspicious beginning for SILENT EYE. Zoe Cunningham is terrific as a downtrodden women whose misguided faith in technology may cost her dearly.

Watch the episode teaser for You Have Been Chosen…

If the quality of its pilot episode is any indication, SILENT EYE promises to take viewers down a rabbit hole of tense, riveting, and provocative sci-fi drama.

Watch all episodes of SILENT EYE currently streaming on Amazon Video.

---

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.

---

We are proud of the fact The 7th Matrix has been operating AD-FREE since its inception in 2013. Please help us continue. Thank you!

We also accept donations via Bitcoin using this address:

1EdGZQu1hcpzTYiTzoBD66bFC6ubH1pVL1

DARKEN: Before The DARK - A Mysterious Sci-Fi Thriller Prequel Short Starring Dark Matter's Jodelle Ferland!

DARKEN: Before The Dark (DBTD) is the intriguing 33-minute sequel short film to the forthcoming full-length sci-fi thriller DARKEN.

Directed by Audrey Cummings, DBTD is the story of Darken, a peculiar otherworldly dimension ruled by a mysterious entity known as “Mother Darken” (Laura Nordin).

The denizens of Darken are all individuals transported there after suffering severe physical and/or emotional trauma.

Once they arrive, all memories of their trauma - and their lives in the outside world - vanish. Armed with only the memory of their names, citizens of Darken discover they no longer age, feel hunger, temperature extremes, or pain.

In Darken, they are free to explore the endless labyrinthine halls and rooms that make up the realm.

However, when a new arrival named Kim (Annie Briggs) comes to Darken, cracks in this odd paradise begin to show.

Greeting Kim is Olive (Jodelle Ferland, Dark Matter), a young woman whose role is to initiate newcomers to the traditions of Darken.

Olive sees Mother Darken as a benevolent deity whose only desire is to protect her charges within her realm.

Other key citizens of Darken are soon revealed, including:

• Artemis (Emmanuel Kabongo), a man mistrustful of Mother Darken’s motives

• Martin (Ari Millen) who has lived in Darken the longest of anyone and now serves as the realm’s historian

• Wren (Paul Amos), a true believer in Mother Darken’s teachings

• Lucian (John Tench), the newest and most problematic arrival to the world of Darken

However, the most divisive of Darken’s citizens is Clarity (Christine Horne), a mercurial woman who, unlike Olive, believes Mother Darken is not a benevolent deity, but instead a god who must be feared and obeyed without question.

When a catastrophic event shakes Darken to its core, a civil war erupts between those who subscribe to Olive’s interpretation of Mother Darken’s nature and those who do not.

As a prequel, DBTD succeeds in introducing viewers to the odd and mysterious realm of Darken and its key players; it also introduces many questions that beg to be answered in a future installment.

Questions such as who or what is Mother Darken? What exactly is Darken? Is it an afterlife? A parallel dimension? A bizarre experiment?

Director Audrey Cummings has created a paradise-nightmare world with aesthetics drawn from a mish-mash of genre properties, chief among them the haunted house vibe of the Silent Hill video game franchise.

The project’s inclusive cast is what also places DBTD solidly in the “must-see” column. It is always refreshing to see the richness of humanity reflected onscreen

Pictured left to right: Jodelle Ferland as Olive, Annie Briggs as Kim, Emmanuel Kabongo as Artemis, Paul Amos as Wren

Dark Matter alum Jodelle Ferland heads an impressive coterie of actors from many notable Canadian sci-fi television series. These talented actors sell the promise of DARKEN with their superb portrayals of people caught up in a surreal supernatural mystery.

What this reviewer also admires about DBTD is what it says about the dangers accompanying the arrival of charismatic leaders - especially those with religious or spiritual pedigrees.

Cult of personalities form around such individuals - with blind faith in their personas and manifestos often morphing into zealotry.

The secretive Mother Darken is the fictional avatar for such leaders, and it will be interesting to see how the jihad forming among her people plays out in the feature film.

Watch DARKEN: Before The DARK prequel here…

With its eerie world brought to life by a visionary woman filmmaker and talented, inclusive cast, DARKEN: Before The Dark earns our highest recommendation.

Pre-orders for the forthcoming film continuation are available now.

Please visit DarkenProvides.com to discover how to get your copy of the feature film when it is released - along with many cool extra features.

---

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.

---

We are proud of the fact The 7th Matrix has been operating AD-FREE since its inception in 2013. Please help us continue. Thank you!

We also accept donations via Bitcoin using this address:

1EdGZQu1hcpzTYiTzoBD66bFC6ubH1pVL1

In The Sci-Fi Short Film 'AIR,' An Engineer Chooses Her Own Destiny After The Remnants Of Humanity Are Forced To Survive In A Failing Underground Bunker

In the dystopian sci-fi short film AIR, catastrophic atmospheric changes have devastated the planet.

The remnants of humanity seek refuge in Securos, an underground complex its builders promise will be indefinitely sustainable.

Unfortunately, after 126 years, the populace of Securos find themselves dealing with a critical depletion of their oxygen supply. In a random "lottery," denizens of the bunker will be chosen to sacrifice themselves in order to reduce the population and slow the depletion of air.

An engineer named Alex (Antonia Thomas) decides to defy the lottery edict. The brave young woman uses her engineering aptitude to seek another solution to her society's dire situation.

Viewers are shown how life in the once plush Securos bunker has deteriorated after serving as humanity's underground ark for over a century.

Society now believes life above is only reserved for God and those deceased. The bunker is ruled by a religious zealot (David Schofield), whose fanaticism doesn't spare his own son, Nick (Tom Riley).

Nick's predicament is what catalyzes Alex into action.

Written by Philip James Booth and directed by Emma Maclennan, AIR is a striking sci-f short film that is at once meditative and precise in its thematic trajectory.

While the short film's main thesis advocates ecological conservancy and warns against the dangers of fundamentalism, it also weaves in a tender coming-of-age story.

AIR is a remarkable sci-fi short film with an unforgettable ending that is both haunting and wistfully, aching beautiful.

Watch the official trailer here…

AIR is available for streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.

Make sure to listen to our EYE ON SCI-FI podcast episode #18 featuring AIR!

---

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.

---

We are proud of the fact The 7th Matrix has been operating AD-FREE since its inception in 2013. Please help us continue. Thank you!

We also accept donations via Bitcoin using this address:

1EdGZQu1hcpzTYiTzoBD66bFC6ubH1pVL1

Experience 'BIOPUNK' A Dystopian Sci-Fi Short Featuring Kristian Nairn From 'Game Of Thrones'

The year is 2054. The place is London transformed by a global viral plague into a shantytown where its denizens struggle to survive.

This is the setting of the dystopian short film BIOPUNK, conceived and directed by Liam Garvo based on the screenplay by Andrew Hamer.

The short film centers Resha (Katie Sheridan), a young woman on a quest to find her missing younger brother Kio (Benjamin Tuttlebee).

The short is actually a flashback as Resha recounts the fateful day her brother was abducted. It seems mysterious forces are abducting people in New London who are virus-free.

Who is responsible for Kio's kidnapping as well as the rash of abductions that have stricken "New London?"

Will Resha and Kio be reunited?  These pivotal questions are left unanswered by design.

The filmmakers produced BIOPUNK as proof-of-concept for a full-length film they intend to make which will explore the world and mysteries introduced in the short in greater depth.

My fingers are crossed for their success, because BIOPUNK is impressive.

The byzantine New London sets look as if they were built from the refuse and remains of a great city long fallen into ruin. 

The cinematography is also outstanding.

The kinetic camera angles with shots that follow the characters around corners, down claustrophobic, crowded passageways, and out into almost alien-looking exterior landscapes helps to lend verisimillitude to the world presented by the short.

Last but not least is the outstanding cast including Kristian Nairn (Hodor, Game Of Thrones) as Resha's compassionate employer Bob. The actors' nuanced and compelling performances succeed in selling this dystopian version of a future London forever mutated after emerging from a viral pandemic.

Watch BIOPUNK in its entirety here....

To learn more about the production of this superb sci-fi short, visit its official Facebook page.

---

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.

---

We are proud of the fact The 7th Matrix has been operating AD-FREE since its inception in 2013. Please help us continue. Thank you!

We also accept donations via Bitcoin using this address:

1EdGZQu1hcpzTYiTzoBD66bFC6ubH1pVL1

'INSTANT' Is The Compelling New Sci-Fi Short Film By Roddenberry Entertainment

Moments that change our lives forever often arrive without preamble or warning.

In the compelling new sci-fi short film INSTANT by Roddenberry Entertainment, five strangers fellowshipping in a local bar suddenly find themselves taken as hostages at gunpoint by a desperate man.

However, one of the hostages possesses a startling secret that will forever alter the lives of everyone in the bar.

Written by Todd Beauchamp and directed by Alex Albrecht, the narrative of INSTANT is powered by its intimate setting, affecting script, and a remarkable cast comprised of Tyler Hilton, Manu Intiraymi, Emily Chang, Tony Janning, Tara Penny, and distinguished character/voice actor Phil Morris.

Executive produced by Rod Roddenberry, INSTANT shines because it places character relationships front and center in the story instead of garish CGI and overblown visual effects.

Through the characters' interactions, the short film comments on our current troubling times, while also championing faith in humanity's potential. It's a thematic philosophy Roddenberry shares with his late father, Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry.

Watch INSTANT in its entirety here...

---

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.

---

We are proud of the fact The 7th Matrix has been operating AD-FREE since its inception in 2013. Please help us continue. Thank you!

We also accept donations via Bitcoin using this address:

1EdGZQu1hcpzTYiTzoBD66bFC6ubH1pVL1

In The Sci-Fi Short 'A Crimson Man,' A Young Boy & Battered Robot Must Learn To Trust Each Other To Escape Their War-Torn World

In the sci-fi short A Crimson Man,  a young runaway boy named Wei (Maddox Henry) is searching for his father in a land torn apart by a long-running war between humans and sentient robots called "Crimson Men."

While on his quest, Wei encounters a robot he dubs "Red."  Red (voiced by Daniel Clarkson) is scarred by years of battle and is fleeing from the war.

The young boy and hulking robot begrudgingly agree to join forces in order to escape their ravaged land. However, an encounter with the enemy sparks erratic behavior in Red, causing Wei to doubt if he can trust his mechanized companion.

Written and directed by filmmaker Mike Pappa, A Crimson Man is an impressive homage to classic sci-fi coming-of-age cinema which includes iconic films such as E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, Flight Of The Navigator, and The Iron Giant.

Those films juxtapose the wonder-filled exuberance of youth against the fantastical to explore often very heavy themes including fear of abandonment and alienation.

In A Crimson Man, Pappa effectively uses his speculative narrative to probe the complex dynamics between parent and child, as well as the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

The short film successfully transports viewers into its intriguing world by use of its visually arresting aesthetic that is a handsome mix of lush pastoral combined with the retro-stylings of steampunk.

Experience A Crimson Man here...

---

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.

---

We are proud of the fact The 7th Matrix has been operating AD-FREE since its inception in 2013. Please help us continue. Thank you!

We also accept donations via Bitcoin using this address:

1EdGZQu1hcpzTYiTzoBD66bFC6ubH1pVL1

The Fate Of The World Rests In The Hands Of Mysterious Aliens In The Intriguing Web Series Pilot 'Star Thieves'

What if extraterrestrials were walking among us?

Disguised as human beings, they could be your doctor, teacher, attorney, or the stranger seated next to you on the train to work.

The idea of aliens possibly posing as us as we live our lives unaware has fueled the dreams and nightmares of many conspiracy theorists.

In the science fiction web series pilot Star Thieves, covert alien visitation is a tantalizing reality.

Star Thieves centers a young Catholic priest named Isaiah (Dennis Hill). Isaiah is new to the priesthood but is experiencing a crisis of faith. While seeking counsel from his mentor Father Jacob (Steve Maurice), the pair is tasked with performing an exorcism on a young member of a desperate family.

Dennis Hill as Isaiah/Kai. Image property of Dark Matter 86. All rights reserved.

As Isaiah confronts the "possessed" young woman, a startling secret is uncovered - both he and Father Jacob are revealed to be beings named Kai and Isi,  two members of a clan of mysterious aliens.

The aliens have been living on earth for the past millennium judging humanity from the shadows. Needing the energy of stars to fuel their power and near-immortal lives, should they deem humanity unworthy, the sun - and consequently all life on earth - is doomed.

The result of a successful Kickstarter campaign, Star Thieves is remarkable in many ways. Chief among them is its inclusive representation both in front of and behind the camera.

Conceived by filmmakers of color, the pilot is also awash in color onscreen - both in its production design and casting.  As fantastical as the world of Star Thieves is, it is immensely relatable because of the rich swath of humanity presented.

No whitewashing here folks.

The pilot wastes no time in introducing its core characters, including Isaiah/Kai portrayed by Dennis Hill (who is also a co-creator). Hill was also a significant presence in another exceptional SFF web series, The Record Keeper. 

He is definitely leading man material. He brings an undeniable magnetism and complexity to the role of Isaiah/Kai.

Check out our EYE ON SCI-FI podcast conversation with STAR THIEVES co-creator and star, Dennis Hill!

Star Thieves Cast. Image property of Dark Matter 86. All rights reserved.

Hill heads a dynamic cast of charismatic, and yes attractive, actors who include:

• Danette Wilson as Amiee, Kai's conflicted sister

• JuneSoo Ham as Awan, Kai's compassionate sibling

• Aris Juson as "The Star Eater," He is weary of humanity

• Danielle Henderson as Xiomaya, A voice of reason among the clan

• Roshan Maloney as Khan, He is the Yang to Kai's Yin

• Steve Maurice as Father Jacob/Isi, Clan Patriarch & Elder Statesman

This cast capably imbues their alien characters with an ethereal quality that is mesmerizing to watch.

The overall production design is an achievement as well.

The pilot is painted with brilliant colors and textures. It also has a visual crispness that excites the eye and serves to draw you deeper into the narrative.

Speaking of narrative, Star Thieves accomplishes what successful pilots are designed to do; it introduces the world and characters in a dynamic way, and gives titillating hints as to the larger mythology, leaving you wanting more. 

Watch the Star Thieves online pilot here…

With its inclusive representation, terrific production value, wonderful cast, and intriguing story, Star Thieves promises to take viewers on an exceptional sci-fi journey.

I hope it gets the chance.  It deserves it, and so do we.

---

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.

---

We are proud of the fact The 7th Matrix has been operating AD-FREE since its inception in 2013. Please help us continue. Thank you!

We also accept donations via Bitcoin using this address:

1EdGZQu1hcpzTYiTzoBD66bFC6ubH1pVL1