Sci-Fi Short Film Spotlight: 'Uncanny Valley' - Visit A Future Where Virtual Reality Is Dangerously Addictive

Uncanny Valley  is a sci-fi short film that presents a future where advanced technology has created a completely immersive virtual reality (VR) video game that is indistinguishable from the real world.

The short incorporates documentary-style testimonials from individuals who have become so addicted to the game, they have neglected their lives and abandoned all of their real world relationships.

Filmmaker Federico Heller has envisioned a dystopia  that feels uncomfortably prescient as addicts describe immersing themselves inside the VR game world  for days at a time.

The film's otherworldly VR environments are dazzling and captivating. The impressive visual effects convincingly convey the seductiveness of the fictional VR game.

Watch Uncanny Valley here ...

Due to its relevant  premise and timely subject matter,  this outstanding sci-fi short gets our highest recommendation.

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Horror Short Film Spotlight - "LILITU"

For me, the best horror films aren't the kind filled with exploding heads, tons of viscera, and bloody dispatches of oversexed teens.

My favorite is the kind that slowly crawls under your skin, up your spine, and wraps around your brain.

Maybe this is why horror films from the sixties and seventies, like Rosemary's Baby and The Birds, affect me the most.

The short horror film LILITU is a throwback to those classics.

It tells the story of a woman who uses her power of astral projection to help a Catholic priest solve a dark mystery. 

This 9-minute atmospheric short is creepy with a huge order of dread on the side.

Its eerie tone is achieved not by showering the screen with blood and guts, but with compelling performances by the actors, and masterful cinematography used to malevolent effect.

Watch LILITU in full below ...

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Top Indie Sci-Fi, Fantasy, And Horror Web Series Of 2015

2015 was another banner year for independent sci-fi and genre web series.

From a technical standpoint, many of the best web series of 2015 boast production values that make them almost indistinguishable from network and cable series.

The previous year also saw the medium continuing to come into its own as a viable entertainment niche -  with its tremendous potential yet to be fully realized!

The following sci-fi and genre web series are among the very best of 2015.  

Each one is outstanding in terms of premise, narrative structure, characterization, representation, production value, and aesthetic appeal.

So in no particular order, here are The 7th Matrix's picks for the top sci-fi, fantasy, and horror web series of 2015.

The Mercury Men

This ultra-stylish homage to classic sci-fi serials such as Buck Rogers and Flash Gordon is superb in every way.

Set in 1975, a mild-mannered office worker finds himself smack in the middle of an alien invasion while working the late shift alone. 

This project has a complicated history, as it was actually released several years ago as an exclusive feature on the SyFy channel's web site. Then it vanished for several more years, until its creator decided to make all 10 episodes available on YouTube in 2015.

Thank god, because this retro, sci-fi adventure is a fun and wildly entertaining joyride!

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MisSpelled

This charming (pun intended) web series features the misadventures of a coven of five young witches of color.

Quirky, funny, scary, and extremely appealing, the brainchild of creator Lindsey McDowell follows in the footsteps of popular series featuring powerful women, like Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Charmed.

However, instead of being relegated to the role of understanding, "sassy," funny, best friend or sidekick, these young women of color are the main protagonists. 

This web series is a refreshing triumph in the representation of women of color on screen.

Watch, and let it cast its spell on you.

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Haphead

This cyber-punk adventure is set in a near-future dystopia where video games have become completely immersive experiences due to advances in haptic technology.

Against this backdrop, a recent high school graduate becomes involved in a counter-culture movement of gamers who use advanced haptic technology to learn lethal combat skills.

Because of its subject matter, Haphead feels eerily prophetic.

Adding to the verisimilitude of the series is its gritty tone, exceptional production value, and the engaging performances of the cast - especially the lead actress.

With recent developments in virtual reality tech aimed at the consumer market, Haphead succeeds in not only being a fascinating sci-fi saga, but also as a modern cautionary tale as well.

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Space Riders: Division Earth

The series introduces us to two incompetent slackers who are granted great powers by the "Galactic Ministry" to protect the earth.

This satire of the popular children's tv series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers is irreverent, ridiculous, and laugh-out-loud funny. 

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The premise behind this web series is brilliantly clever - what if  pivotal fictional moments in comic books, video games, television shows, and movies actually happened?

From the alien invasion of New York City as depicted in the hit film Marvel's The Avengers, to the bloody confrontations of The Bride in Tarantino's Kill Bill opus, each episode hilariously reports on these events by replicating the reporting style of documentaries by esteemed filmmakers such as Ken Burns.

Lending even more credence to these "mockumentaries" are the narrations provided by distinguished character and voice-over actor Phil Morris.

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Riftworld Chronicles

What happens when a powerful wizard from an alternate dimension finds himself trapped and powerless in our reality?

Starring Tehmoh Penikett (Helo, Battlestar Galactica) and Erin Karplunk (Being Erica), Riftworld Chronicles is a delightful fish-out-of-water fantasy-comedy.

Armed with charismatic leads, top-notch visual effects, and a smart script filled with biting social commentary, Riftworld Chronicles is a charmer with mass appeal.

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L.A. Macabre

One of the most disturbing horror web series I've seen this year, L.A. Macabre tells the story-within-a-story of a group of young Los Angeles documentary filmmakers investigating a local, defunct Charles Manson-like cult.

When one of their group becomes involved with an ex-cult member, the filmmakers begin experiencing strange phenomena that indicate the cult may still be a very dangerous threat.

The story-within-a-story narrative conceit is masterfully used in this project to produce an atmosphere filled with tension, a sense of dire jeopardy, and chills.

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This British import about the arrival of a massive UFO that floats over the city of Bristol, England immediately grabs you by the throat from the explosive opening scene - and doesn't let go.

What separates this web series from all the countless other alien invasion-themed sci-fi shows is its focus on the human equation, in lieu of being a visual effects orgy.

Horizon imagines how the government and its citizens might actually react if an alien spaceship were to appear in the sky.

The result is a gripping, fascinating exploration of an event that would be one of the most monumental in all of human history.

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AFK

Another golden entrant in the fantasy category, this project - produced and shot in gorgeous New Zealand - tells the story of a group of gamers who find themselves magically transported inside the fictional world of their World Of Warcraft-like online video game. 

They also discover they are inhabiting the gender-swapped bodies of the characters they created for the game.

AFK (Away From Keyboard) is an earnest love letter to gaming, while also being a shrewd commentary on the complex social dynamics specific to the online gaming world.

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Anamnesis

This web series about four strangers connected by the phenomenon of lucid dreaming is one of the most fascinating and beautifully shot on our list.

The premise of lucid dreaming is grounded in real world science - making it even more compelling. The cast performances are nuanced and completely captivating.

The surreal world of dreams is brought to vibrant life by dazzling, breathtaking cinematography.

Watching Anamnesis is a singular viewing experience we can't recommend highly enough.

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The Outer Darkness

The Outer Darkness harkens back to fun, creepy, classic tv horror anthologies such as Tales From The Crypt.

This anthology of hair-raising horror tales also has another key component - an utterly grotesque host.

The Croupier is an achievement in ghastly creature design on par with that of the iconic Cryptkeeper.

The Outer Darkness is a welcome return to wonderfully wicked, spine-tingling horror storytelling.

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The Fourth Door

An original web series commissioned by Verizon to help launch its new Go90 mobile app, The Fourth Door is a  project that defies categorization - and that's a good thing.

The story of a woman and young boy fighting to escape a dreamlike alternate dimension is unlike anything we watched last year.

With its eclectic mix of action, mystery, and drama - in addition to bizarre, ethereal landscapes - The Fourth Door will transport you to a world where dreams become reality. A world where nothing is what it seems.

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Surviving

The brainchild of actor/producer/director Reagan Gomez, this web series about two sisters looking for their missing father while coping with the advent of the zombie apocalypse, is a trailblazer.

Born from her frustration with the cardboard depiction of people of color in similar properties, like The Walking Dead, Ms. Gomez weaves a deeply compelling survival story told from the perspective of a Black family.  

These characters possess their own agency, and rich interior lives that make what could be just another by-the-numbers zombie tale an electrifying  narrative.

Surviving is an excellent addition to an ever-growing movement of stories told from the perspective of marginalized and underrepresented groups.

Discover more

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So there you have it, The 7th Matrix picks for the best sci-fi and genre web series of 2015.  

We were most excited by many notable trends last year, including the increase in projects created, produced, and directed by diverse filmmakers.

We also continue to be impressed by the grade-A production value of many of these independent projects - projects that look indistinguishable from their network and cable counterparts.

As we stand at the dawn of the new year, I am certain we fans of online genre content will continue to be pleasantly surprised by the quality, originality, and diversity of web series yet to come.

As always, I look forward to another year of discovering and sharing such gems with you.

Wishing you all the best in the new year,

Rod Faulkner

Founder, The 7th Matrix

P.S. Check out what productions made our list of top web series in 2014 and 2013!

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Introducing 'Anne & Jake' - A Winning Time Travel Comedy

While my love of science fiction runs deep, I often need a respite from the overwhelmingly dark and cynical tone that permeates much of the genre today.

Science fiction comedies like Larry And Lucy are much welcome oases.

Another such oasis is Anne & Jake, a winning little time travel comedy web series packed with charm and wit.

Created by writer/producer/actor Victoria Bullock for her LoveDog Productions firm, the web series tells the story of Jake, a brilliant, gawky young scientist, whose time machine inadvertently plucks a British woman named Anne from her gilded life in 1814 London, and plops her into the present day.

While this "fish out of water" premise is a well-treaded narrative trope, the show uses it with remarkable success to mine situational comedy gold.

Anne (portrayed by series creator Bullock) is a young woman who rails against the constraints placed on her by her time period. Intelligent and independent, she is resentful at being forced into an arranged marriage.

However, her world is completely upended when she is suddenly transported 200 years into the future.

Ms. Bullock's performance as Anne is a series highlight.  Her reactions to the conventions and technology of the 21st century generate the bulk of the humor in the series. 

However, Ms. Bullock also uses Anne's observations to make astute commentaries about the social vagaries of modern life.  

A prime example is when Anne discovers television. I won't spoil what she sees, but her reactions provide an unexpected and powerful moment of poignancy.

Ms. Bullock's acting and  insightful writing make me think she is going to be a filmmaker to watch.

The other series star is Matt Dallas, best known for his role as the titular Kyle in the much underrated ABC Family series Kyle XY.

As in Kyle XY, Mr. Dallas brings an earnest, almost boyish-like charisma to the role of Jake. He and Bullock have great chemistry together, which is the cornerstone of the show's humor and charm.

Watch the official series trailer here ...

Watch the misadventures of Anne & Jake unfold on the series YouTube channel.

To discover more about the show, visit its official home at LoveDog Productions.

Because of its charm, wit, charismatic leads, and perceptive social commentary, Anne & Jake is a sci-fi gem.  

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[Special Feature] 'Lost Hope' The Animated Scifi Comedy - At the end of the world We have not Lost Hope

A new animated series made independently by a couple out of Victoria BC Canada has hit the web. The duo of Jeff Saamanen and Natalie Harvey have been a couple for over 15 years, and have built quite a portfolio of creative works. 

But now they have set their sights on creating an animation studio from the basement suite of their rental apartment, converting it entirely into a studio for the production of Lost Hope, a mature, animated, sci-fi comedy.

Imagine Star Wars smashed with the FX network's oh so popular animated spy series Archer!

"Lost Hope will follow the lives of a onboard security team on the USS Hopeful, a massive bastion of humanity on the run from an alien threat. But this looming threat is of their own design, from the years they tortured and experimented on the aliens caught at Roswell, New Mexico.

Our team will suffer for their survival, and the weight of the constant threat of annihilation will wreak havoc on their emotional state. But with no short supply of sarcasm, wit, and determination, our unlikely heroes have not Lost Hope."

Watch the teaser trailer: 

The director emphasized his desire to explore our current day values, our political, racial, and religious divides that while on earth may have seemed relevant, but now how do these issues hold up when faced with the destruction of our entire species?

Lost in space, undermanned, outgunned, and low on resources, the crew will face all manner of space-faring phenomenon and alien species, while dealing with their own internal issues.

It sounds as though they have worked hard to bring this to fruition, and with their Kickstarter landing in January 2016, we hope to see more!

Check out the project across its various social accounts:

Facebook : http://facebook.com/LostHope

Youtube: http://bit.ly/1Y9Ok96

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Enter 'The Fourth Door' - The Supernatural Web Series Starring Monique Coleman & Joey Graceffa

The Fourth Door is the supernatural web series created by Tony Valenzuela and Jarrett Sleeper for New Form Digital that premiered on Verizon's new mobile app, GO90.

The series stars Monique Coleman (High School Musical) as Lain, a woman who finds herself trapped in limbo along with a young boy named Colin (Reid Miller).

Lain must protect Colin as they attempt to escape a surreal, hallucinogenic dream world ruled by its sinister monarch Raef, portrayed by YouTube personality Joey Graceffa.

As Lain and Colin battle their innermost demons brought to life by limbo, they must discover their true connection to each other in order to defeat Raef and escape.

Let me say now, The Fourth Door is a sumptuous watch.

Co-Creator and Director Tony Valenzuela is an up-and-coming young filmmaker who brings a unique sense of style and flair to his projects.  He came to our attention a few years ago with his wonderfully creepy horror web-anthology Silverwood.

The Fourth Door is further proof his dynamic filmmaking style - while often flamboyant - avoids self-indulgent pretension to remain accessible and compelling.

As for the main cast, Monique Coleman is terrific as Lain.

She imbues Lain with aching vulnerability that is braced by steely resolve. Ms. Coleman's nuanced portrayal creates a welcome new heroine you will want to root for.

Reid Miller offers an exceptional turn as Colin. His heartfelt portrayal exudes the wistfulness, innocence, faith and vulnerability of youth.  This young actor will be definitely one to watch.

I was also impressed with Joey Graceffa as Raef.   

He turns in a mesmerizing performance as the malevolent king of limbo.

In an inspired choice, Mr. Graceffa is dressed in resplendent white, which serves as an effectively jarring dichotomy to the ultimate darkness he represents.

Another series standout is co-creator Jarrett Sleeper as Gabriel - Lian and Colin's sole ally.

He serves as a 21st-century analog to the ancient Greek chorus, with silky-smooth musical commentaries that provide insight into each episode.

Finally, The Fourth Door is an extremely gorgeous looking show, with cinematography that is all at once vibrant, moody, and ethereal. 

Catch a glimpse inside The Fourth Door by watching the official series trailer.

The Fourth Door is a creepy, moving - yet ultimately triumphant - story about fear, loss, love, and hope.

UPDATE 03/27/2024

Verizon’s Go90 mobile app is now defunct. In the years since this spotlight was first published, the series has been available on a myriad of different platforms. Currently, only episodes 2-4 are available online.

This series is so unique and compelling, the link to those episodes are here for your enjoyment: The Fourth Door On DailyMotion.

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Sci-Fi Short Film Spotlight - Spider-Man Lives: A Miles Morales Story

Peter Parker, a.k.a. Spider-Man, is dead.  

So, who takes the fallen web slinger's place as guardian of New York?

Spider-Man.

The impressive fan-made short film Spider-Man Lives is not a Peter Parker story.

Instead, it's about an early adventure of his successor, Miles Morales.

For the uninitiated, Miles Morales is a character created by Brian Michael Bendis and Sara Pichelli for Marvel Comics' Ultimate Marvel imprint - a line of comics books that exist in an alternate continuity from the main Marvel line. 

His introduction in 2011 made headlines not only because he succeeded Peter Parker as Spider-Man, but also because he is a person of color.

Since then, Miles has quickly become a fan favorite due to his own heroism and courage.

Written and directed by Ivan Kander, Spider-Man Lives: A Miles Morales Story compellingly explores Miles' own internal conflicts as he struggles between his desire to lead a normal life versus his moral imperative to use his powers to protect his community.

Star Demetrius Stephens succeeds in bringing the character to life with his charismatic  portrayal and impressive physicality.

Supplementing Mr. Stephens' spirited performance is a captivating plot, dynamic cinematography, terrific fight choreography, and a sensational original score by Kyle Cox.

Watch the entire short film here ...

Spider-Man LIves is a stirring short that will make viewers want to see more of Miles' adventures as the iconic superhero on screen.

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In 'AFK' The Web Series - Gamers Are Mystically Transported Into Their Gaming World

The New Zealand fantasy-comedy web series AFK (Away From Keyboard) imagines what would happen when gamers of a fictional MMOG (massively multiplayer online game) find themselves magically transported inside the world of the game, inhabiting the gender-swapped bodies of the characters they created.

Created by Peter Haynes, AFK was inspired by his addiction to the popular, real-world MMOG World Of Warcraft - a game that served as inspiration for another web series, the cult hit The Guild.

While The Guild followed a group of gamers as they forged relationships amongst themselves outside of gaming, AFK takes the inverse approach and imagines what would happen if gamers had to navigate the fantastical world of their game made very real.

As of this writing, the pilot episode (the first two series episodes conflated) is now available with 11 other installments set for weekly release.

Watch the pilot double episode here ...

I found the pilot episode extremely promising due to its self-referential, comedic tone certain to be popular with gamers. Also, the overall production value is very impressive.

The cast give solid performances. The makeup and costume designs are outstanding too. 

However, the unspoken character of the project is definitely its setting.

The scenic backdrops are courtesy of filming in magnificent New Zealand. The country's gorgeous vistas seem otherworldly in their beauty.

These vistas are perfect stand-ins for the mysterious fantasy realm our protagonists must learn to negotiate in order to survive; while they unravel the mystery behind their predicament.

To watch all current episodes of AFK, visit its official channel on YouTube: AFKWebSeries On YouTube.

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'Surviving' - The Zombie Apocalypse Web Series By Reagan Gomez Featuring POC Protagonists

It is an unfortunate fact Hollywood has a dismal record when it comes to the representation  of people of color on screen - especially in genres involving speculative fiction.

Which is why I did a fist pump upon finding out the new zombie apocalypse web series Surviving (formerly Surviving The Dead), by actress/writer/producer/director Reagan Gomez, had finally debuted.

What sets Surviving apart from so many other projects with similar themes is its voice and main protagonists.

The story is told from the perspective of a Black family who serve as the central driving force of the plot. 

This is starkly unlike other zombie tales, where the few people of color present are easily disposable cardboard characters, superfluous to the main narrative.

Those characters typically exist without any agency of their own; whose sole purpose is to further the dramatic journey of their White counterparts (looking at you The Walking Dead).

Surviving opens during the earliest days of a zombie apocalypse. Doctor Shayla Robinson (Cynthia Kaye McWilliams) and her younger sister Lucy (Zayden Bates) must evade hordes of the undead.

Together, they embark on a quest to find their missing father and survive a world gone mad.

Fortunately, Shayla is not only a physician, but has also been trained in self-defense and wilderness survival since childhood - at the insistence of her father (portrayed by the distinguished character actor Phil Morris).

Did Shayla's father have some foreknowledge about the zombie apocalypse? Was he somehow involved?

This mystery is skillfully woven into the show's main dramatic thread, creating a captivating tapestry of suspense, action, and horror.

The series also boasts outstanding production value on every level.

Produced by Gomez - who also directed - along with her husband Dewayne Turrentine for their RGP Productions company, Surviving has a dynamic, gritty tone that immerses you right into the center of the drama. It also helps that each episode seems to end on a exciting cliffhanger!

Check out the series trailer here ...

To watch the complete series, visit Gomez's official YouTube Channel.

Surviving is a tense, compelling zombie apocalypse story told from a refreshing perspective and visionary voice.

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Kosmos: An Intriguing Sci-Fi Mystery Web Series By Simon Horrocks

The sci-fi mystery Kosmos is the latest project by celebrated independent film director Simon Horrocks.

The five-part web series tells the story of Philip Huyt (Jeff Dahlgren), a geneticist coping with his wife Amy's (Eline Van der Velden) sudden illness that has left her comatose.

With his heath insurance coverage running out, and his in-laws applying constant pressure for him to withdraw Amy's life support, Phillip faces an agonizing emotional quandary. Then he meets the mysterious Louis Lewis (Marc Zammit).

Louis possesses cutting-edge technology he claims will allow Philip to enter Amy's mind in order to restore her health.

However, it is revealed Amy fell ill under very suspicious circumstances - and there are forces invested in her not recovering at all.

Will Philip be able to unravel the conspiracy surrounding his wife's illness in order to save his family?

Fueled by a successful Kickstarter campaign, Kosmos writer and director Simon Horrocks has created an intensely compelling sci-fi mystery rooted in powerful human drama.

Unfortunately, many of us have dealt with the severe illness of a loved one.

Anchoring the show's core premise in this universal experience makes the lead characters extremely sympathetic.

Jeff Dahlgren turns in a passionate performance as the distraught geneticist Philip, a man grappling with not only his beloved wife's coma, but also questionable technology operating on the furthest fringes of science.

The rest of the cast is also superb - especially Virginia Hey as Diana Lord, Amy's mother.

Being a fan of the sci-fi tv series Farscape, it is a pure joy to see Ms. Hey on screen again after her [much too long] acting sabbatical.

Like she did as Zhaan on Farscape, she brings a regal allure to her role as Philip's steely mother-in-law.

Kosmos features a captivating mystery populated with complex characters. It also has a very cinematic feel that slowly pulls you into this slightly darker, more ominous version of our world. ...

Kosmos is a fascinating mix of poignant human drama and science fiction mystery that makes for a singular viewing experience.

The series has been reformatted into a full-length feature available in its entirety on YouTube:

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Sci-Fi Short Film Spotlight: 'Whipping Boy' - A Stylish Kubrickian Thriller

Whipping Boy is the type of film that grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go until the end credits roll.

Written by Aiah Samba and directed by Michael Chance, Whipping Boy introduces a future in which humanity has become hopelessly dependent on advanced technology mainly controlled by two competing corporations.

The demarcation between rich and poor is acutely pronounced, with the elite residing in shining skyscrapers that soar miles into the sky.

People have become more isolated, often interacting with others mainly via virtual reality.

As a result, many no longer possess the coping skills necessary to deal with the stressors of daily life.

Enter "whips," individuals who voluntarily act as human punching bags - for a set time and price.

These whips hire themselves out to those who want to relieve their stress in a immediate and physical manner.

Against this bizarre futuristic backdrop we meet whip Ollie (Tongayi Chirisa), a tortured man with a fiery temper.

After a meeting with a client goes horribly wrong, Ollie finds himself enmeshed in a mystery involving a mysterious piece of tech people are willing to kill for.

Aiah Samba has written an intelligent, dark, and compelling narrative in which capitalism and technology have pervaded our lives to a grotesque degree.

His characters are dark, flawed, and undeniably fascinating to watch on screen.

Director Michael Chance's vision has brought this world to vivid life. Kubrickian in scope, tone, and detail, the film's set pieces are hallmarked by impressive attention to detail, cinema-quality visual effects, and lush cinematography.

However, the icing on the cake is the film's lead - Zimbabwean actor Tongayi Chirisa. 

From the moment he appears on screen, his smoldering charisma and magnetic performance helps propel Whipping Boy to dramatic heights most genre short films fail to reach.

If there is any justice in the world, Mr. Chirisa will experience a meteoric rise to stardom.

Yeah, his performance is that good.

But don't take my word for it. Watch the complete short film here ...

Listen to our EYE ON SCI-FI podcast featuring WHIPPING BOY!

With its darkly compelling narrative, exceptional performances, and ambitious scope, Whipping Boy assumes a place on our list of the best science fiction short films of 2015.

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Sci-Fi Short Film Spotlight: 'Cargo' And 'Super-Zero' - Two Zombie Shorts Better Than 'Fear The Walking Dead'

The highly anticipated prequel/companion television series to The Walking Dead entitled Fear The Walking Dead (FTWD), has finally made its debut to record-breaking ratings.

The series is set in Los Angeles during the very beginning of the viral outbreak responsible for the zombie apocalypse.

While it is sure to be another feather-in-the-cap for AMC network, the pilot left me extremely underwhelmed.

While the premise sounds intriguing on paper, most of the expanded 90-minute runtime of the pilot focused on tedious, uninteresting melodrama generated by the show's central (and extremely unsympathetic) characters.

Granted, I'm not the biggest fan of zombie stories, or of The Walking Dead specifically. Yet, I did watch the premiere episode of The Walking Dead, and feel it's one of the best television pilots ever produced.

Key characters were introduced in a dynamic narrative that never once felt self-indulgent or meandering.

Surprisingly, the FTWD pilot failed to emulate its predecessor on both counts.

Fortunately, there are other zombie stories being told onscreen. Tales that effectively use zombies as a backdrop to explore universal facets of the human experience.

The following two zombie short films are prime examples.

Each one uses the zombie apocalypse to tell engrossing stories about the human condition much better than the Fear The Walking Dead pilot

CARGO

Stranded during the beginning of the zombie apocalypse, a man devises a desperate plan to save his beloved infant daughter.

Released online in 2013, this short was a finalist in TROPFEST, the world's largest short film festival. It has garnered over 9 million online.

Watch CARGO by clicking on the image below ...

Super Zero: Badass Journey Into Zombie Awesomeness

Meet Josh, a likable, geeky young man who receives devastating news - and then the zombie apocalypse begins.

However, the end of civilization causes Josh to mine depths of strength he never knew he had, and a most unlikely hero is born!

 Written by independent filmmaker Mitch Cohen, this action-comedy is also deceptively poignant and triumphant.

Watch Super Zero here ...

Both of these exceptional shorts prove exciting zombie stories can still be told with a compelling narrative, economy of pacing, smart script, and soulful performances - all in less than 15 minutes.

The producers of Fear The Walking Dead should take a few notes.

Do you agree or disagree with my assessment of the FTWD pilot? Please feel free to share your thoughts below - just keep it civil!

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