An Advanced Augmented Reality Game Eliminates The Divide Between Fantasy & Reality In The Sci-Fi Short 'Strange Beasts'

Augmented and virtual reality are paradigm-changing technologies  promising to make significant impacts on our daily lives.

Augmented reality (AR) is the technology used with laptops and mobile devices to insert virtual elements into real-world environments.

This interactivity has many possible applications, especially for the video and mobile gaming industry. A prime example of the potential of AR technology is the mobile game Pokémon Go! released in 2016.

Millions were obsessed with the mobile app that projected the popular fantasy creatures known as Pokémon into real-world environments. Players are given the ability to capture and train the virtual critters.

The game was a huge success and helped usher AR technology into the mainstream.

In the sci-fi short Strange Beasts written by Magali Barbé, a near future is presented where augmented reality has advanced to the next level.

The titular AR game allows players to design, create, modify, and bring to life their own virtual "pets." 

Using technology that beams virtual elements directly onto the corneas of the eyes, these pets are constant companions who play, get into mischief, and demand attention just as most physical pets do.

However, the short's narrative takes an unexpected turn by introducing a disturbing Black Mirror-like twist. It is a story beat which acts as a sober reminder of the dark side of modern technology.

Strange Beasts is a very attractive short film. Its plot unfolds by having the fictional game's creator Victor Weber (Timothy Renouf), a posh European game developer, describe the app in a faux promotional video that riffs off those iconic Apple ads narrated by   industrial designer Jony Ive.

Like the similarly themed sci-fi short Real Artists, watching Strange Beasts feels extremely prescient. It's like looking out a window and seeing life a few years into the future.

Watch Strange Beasts in its entirety...

Sending special thanks to our Twitter follower Timothy Duquesne for bringing this exceptional short film to our attention!

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The Hunt Is On For An Aquatic Creature That Can Grant Immortality In The Steampunk Fantasy Short 'The Ningyo'

What if legendary creatures from folklore such as the Loch Ness monster, bigfoot, the chupacabra, and the yeti actually existed?

In the steampunk fantasy The Ningyo: Episode One they do.

Created by Miguel Ortega and Tran Ma, the short is set in Los Angeles in the year 1911. The story centers on the exploits of Professor C. Marlowe (Rodrigo Lopresti), a paleontologist who believes in the existence of ningyo - mermaids from Japanese folklore believed to grant imomortality to any who catch them and eat their flesh.

Marlowe's obsession with the ningyo causes him to fall into disfavor with the scientific community.

Despite the disdain and ridicule from his peers, Professor Marlowe claims he possesses a map which will lead him to the location of the fabled ningyo.

However, his claims about the map come to the attention of mysterious parties who will stop at nothing to acquire it. Forces including a wealthy Japanese aristocrat portrayed by acclaimed actress Tamlyn Tomita (The Karate Kid, Real Artists).

The Ningyo is a lavish production whose steampunk aesthetic seems heavily influnced by authors such as Jules Verne.

Stunning set pieces include a rambling, gilded mansion containing an otherworldly menagerie of cryptid creatures, to an ocean submersible that could be the sister ship to the famed Nautilus from Verne's classic novel 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea.

The visual and creatue effects are jawdropping, and defy the popular misconception that independent genre films are inherently B-level and can not compete with bigger-budget mainstream fare.

But don't my word for it, watch this magnificent short here...

There are plans for the story of The Ningyo to be continued in future installments. To discover more about this extraordinary production, visit the short's official page on Facebook.

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It Was Created By The Military To Follow Orders. It Has Other Plans. 'PROTO'

In science fiction, most stories about artificial intelligence and self-aware robots usually involve those entities turning against their human creators due to oppression, or just pure malevolence.

The short film PROTO offers a refreshingly less pessimistic take on the robot/A.I. rebellion narrative.

The result of an international co-production between studios Film Fyn in Denmark and Screen South based in the United Kingdom, PROTO is the story of an advanced self-aware robot created to be the perfect military soldier.

When the titular PROTO comes online, it quickly develops a child-like inquisitiveness about the world around it. 

While PROTO's programmer, Simon (Matthew Steer), is excited by its developing emotional cognition, laboratory head Professor Andrews (Mark Aiken) views the robot's independent streak and childlike demeanor as significant programming flaws.

Things come to a head as PROTO realizes its true intended purpose is to be a tool for violence.  Surprising its creators, PROTO performs a rousing act of defiance.

Written and directed by Nick Pittom, this stirring tale of robot self-awareness and rebellion manages to be thought-provoking while eschewing the typical cynicism common in similar stories. 

Watch PROTO in its entirety here...

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A Genius Hacker Aids A Mysterious Psychic In The Animated Cyberpunk Thriller 'PostHuman'

Audacious super-science combines with high-octane action sequences to create the adrenaline-infused, cyberpunk odyssey PostHuman. 

Written, produced, and directed by Cole Drumb and Jennifer Wai-Yin Luk for Colliculi Productions, the animated short chronicles the exploits of genius hacker Terrence (voiced by Ulric Dihle) a.k.a. "Righteous" as he embarks on an espionage mission to penetrate a clandestine government laboratory conducting unspeakable experiments.

Aided by his sophisticated insect-like drones and the disembodied voice of a powerful psychic named Kali (voiced by Tricia Helfer), Terrance discovers the government's sinister plan of weaponizing the tremendous psychokinetic powers of an involuntary test subject named Benjamin.

PostHuman is a cyberpunk fever dream complete with colorful, offbeat characters and a totalitarian government populating a futuristic megapolis flirting with decay.

The gorgeous anime-influenced art by animation studio Humouring The Fates is vibrant, highly detailed, and hyper-kinetic, which serves the narrative well as the hook that immediately ensnares the viewer from the very beginning.

Watch PostHuman in its entirety here...

(Editor's note: This short film contains a brief scene of nudity and graphic violence. Parental discretion is advised.)

To find more details about the making of this intriguing cyberpunk mini-epic, visit its official website PostHumanTheMovie.com.

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The Resurrection Of 'Divine: The Series'- The Gripping Supernatural Drama Featuring Misha Collins of 'Supernatural'

Editor's note: Divine: The Series was originally released in 2011, and was one of the first web series we covered. The series was taken offline after several years, but was made available for public viewing again during the 2018 Easter holiday. This is a reprint of our original feature, edited to reflect the updated information about the series.

Divine: The Series is a provocative beast.

It poses intriguing questions concerning free will, determinism, and redemption in the guise of a dark supernatural drama.

The story centers on a mysterious, immortal man named Cesar Divine, portrayed with tortured gravitas by Dan Payne. 

Divine is on a quest to protect humanity from insidious supernatural beings who inhabit dark corners of cities, and the soul. He does so in order to gain penance for some unknown sin that has damned him.

Assisting him on his quest is an intriguing supporting cast of characters, each with secrets of their own:

• Deacon Jim (Allen Sawkins) is a devout, compassionate man of the cloth with a hidden past

• Father Andrew (Ben Hollingsworth) is a young priest having a crisis of faith, until he witnesses the miraculous

• Jin (Chasty Ballesteros) is Divine's constant companion. A young woman whose motivations and history have yet to be revealed

Rounding out the cast is Father Christopher, played by actor Misha Collins who is best known for his popular role as Castiel on the cult hit t.v. show Supernatural.  Mr. Collins pulls triple-duty as actor, co-creator, and co-producer of Divine.

Six episodes of the series were produced, and they make for compelling viewing. As Divine grapples with his need for redemption, we witness him face off against demonic beings in gloriously grotesuqe action sequences.  

For a taste of what to expect, here is the series teaser trailer: 

During quieter moments, the characters engage in earnest debates about the nature of good and evil. This would sound preachy if not for the smart, grounded scripts by the writing team led by creator Ivan Hayden.  

What also makes Divine: The Series so exceptional is it trusts in the intelligence of its audience. Viewers are left to draw their own conclusions.

To view this atmospheric supernatural drama, visit the official Divine: The Series Facebook page.

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The Relationship Between Technology & Art Takes On A Disturbing Tenor In The Sci-Fi Short 'REAL ARTISTS'

From the invention of the Gutenberg printing press in the 15th century which made the written word accessible to the masses, to the advent of web 2.0 which ushered in the era of online video and media streaming, technology and art have always had a symbiotic relationship.

Based on a short story by acclaimed author Ken Liu, the award winning sci-fi short Real Artists examines the modern implications of that relationship.

Written and directed by Cameo Wood, the film introduces us to Sophia (Tiffany Hines), a  young animator who is interviewing for her dream job with Anne (Tamlyn Tomita), the head of a prestigious animation studio.

Anne reveals to Sophia the proprietary technology which accounts for the studio's unprecedented box office successes.

The intuitive Sophia soon realizes she must choose between her more traditional creative philosophy, or opt to become a convert to a more soulless process.

As the film's lead, Tiffany Hines is luminous as Sophia, a young woman filled with an artist's passion for their craft.

Tamlyn Tomita is perfectly cast opposite her as the regal Anne, the studio head with hidden depths beneath her serene surface.

Real Artists is sleek and unsettling in its depiction of technology usurping the spark of human creativity.

Watch the official trailer here ...

To view the complete short, visit the film's web site RealArtists.film.

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Late Actor Richard Hatch Shines In The Sci-Fi Web Series 'Personal Space'

Created by filmmakers Tom R. Pike, Zack Wallnau, and Dana Luery Shaw, Personal Space is a 28-episode sci-fi dramedy web series about the crew of generation ship Overture, which is traveling to the closest star in our galaxy.

The 400+ crew members aboard the ship are in cryogenic stasis, with rotating rosters of command staff awakened to serve 25-year "shifts."

The show is set during the beginning of the second shift. Scientist Gail Gartner (Nicki Clyne, Battlestar Galactica) is preparing to take the reins of command from first shift captain Robert King ( Richard Hatch, Battlestar Galactica).

Unbeknownst to the ship's occupants, the space agency has sold the mission to a reality tv production company.

The studio has covertly taken control of Overture's therapy computer AMI (voiced by Alica Dane), and is broadcasting back to earth the crew's therapy sessions they believe are confidential.

Personal Space is told through the fixed perspective of AMI. In confessional style, viewers learn about the crew's hopes, fears, aspirations, insecurities, and interpersonal conflicts.

It is a ingenious narrative structure which allows for the most grand of plot developments to occur without needing to rely on budget-busting effects.

The result is a fascinating science fiction dramedy heavy on the science and character development.

Personal Space is also one of the final onscreen performances of the late Richard Hatch.

A gifted actor, his presence helps elevate this already ambitious project. His performance etches into stone his legacy as an actor of undeniable skill, gravitas, and depth.

Richard Hatch as Robert King

He is dearly missed.

To get a feel for the tone and scope of Personal Space, check out this teaser...

Personal Space is available for viewing on Amazon Video, as well as other streaming services.

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Black Women Guardian Angels Take Flight In The Supernatural Web Series 'Avant-Guardians'

The web series Avant-Guardians is like nothing you have ever seen before.

Alesia C. Etinoff As Razz

The supernatural dramedy tells the story of guardian angel Razz (Alesia C. Etinoff), whose 12 year old human charge is destined to become the third Black president of the United States - if he can survive adolescence.

In an attempt to understand her ward - as well as humanity and its countless issues - Razz goes into therapy with archangel Dr. Hanniel (Zainab Johnson). 

It is during these sessions this heavenly dynamic duo take on many timely topics including trans/homophobia, racism, bullying, and sexism, with wit, piercing insight, and much, much humor.

The seven episode series was created by Etinoff as an outlet for her commentary on the tumultuous times we are grappling with.

The result is a funny and moving rumination on the human condition that is never sanctimonious, preachy, or pretentious.

Etinoff also turns on its head the usual staid, saccharine depiction of angels by injecting it with a liberal dose of Black woman magic.

Seeing two Black women portraying powerful and wise angelic beings stylishly swaddled in their own agency is magnificent to behold.

Zainab Johnson as Dr. Hanniel

It also highlights just how ridiculous it is that Hollywood is still dragging its feet when it comes to providing meaty, nuanced roles for Black women.

Because each of the seven episodes is only between one to five minutes in length, binge watching this smile-inducing, consciousness-raising web series is strongly encouraged.

At the end, it is teased we may see more of Razz and Dr. Hanniel in the future.

I'll definitely say Amen to that!

Watch the official Avant-Guardians trailer here...

And catch the complete series on its official YouTube channel: Avant-GuardiansTheSeries.com.

 Listen to our EYE ON SCI-FI podcast interview with AVANT-GUARDIANS creator and star, Alesia C. Etinoff!

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Two Brothers Make The Discovery Of A Lifetime In The Time Travel Comedy Short 'Einstein-Rosen'

Meet Teo and Oscar: two young, precocious brothers during the summer of 1982.

Teo has gotten into mischief by "borrowing" some of their scientist mother's quantum physics notes.

He believes he has found the entrance to a Einstein-Rosen bridge, also known as a "wormhole."

Oliver is skeptical, thinking Teo is indulging in a flight of fancy.

Thirty-five years later, Teo brings Oliver back to the site he believes is the opening of the wormhole.

There the bickering brothers make the discovery of a lifetime.

Einstein-Rosen is soulful and life-affirming. It is also the latest genre short directed by Spanish filmmaker Olga Osorio in which the manipulation of time is the main premise.

Her previous short reSTART is a sci-fi thriller-mystery about a woman reliving her abduction via a time loop.

Einstein-Rosen is a different beast being a heartstring-tugging comedy, though time  - in this case a wormhole - is again the plot device used to examine one of the most personal of human relationships: siblings.

Sci-fi stories involving time travel often result in nonsensical and headache-inducing narratives.

Osorio is the exception due to her uncanny ability to take this most heady of subjects and mold it to create deeply affecting, intimate emotional portraits.

She is quickly becoming one of our favorite filmmakers to watch.

Watch Einstein-Rosen (in Spanish with English subtitles) here...

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Danger & Adventure Await The First Human To Travel Faster Than Light In The Sci-Fi Short 'FTL'

Science fiction is renowned for its pessimistic tales of dystopian malaise and post-apocalyptic horror.

With "dark" science fiction series like Black Mirror and motion pictures like District 9 being popular in the cultural zeitgeist, the genre's ability to inspire wonder and hope can be lost in the noise.

Then along comes a project shining like a beacon, piercing the shroud of existential angst.

The award-winning sci-fi short FTL (Faster Than Light) is a stirring example of science fiction awash in unabashed optimism.

Written and directed by visual effects master Adam Stern for his Artifex Studios, FTL is the story of astronaut Ethan Kane, the first human being selected to attempt to travel faster than light.

Adam Stern, Founder, Artifex Studios

Read our exclusive interview with FTL writer and director Adam Stern

Under the watchful eye of friend and colleague Sarah (Karin Konoval) at ground control, Commander Kane is the sole mission specialist aboard Longshot - a spacecraft outfitted with an experimental faster than light engine designed to transport him from earth to Mars and back again within minutes.

The journey to Mars is successful, but an engine malfunction during the return trip hurls Kane further than anyone could imagine.

While there have been sci-fi series with similar premises such as Farscape and Buck Rogers In The 25th Century, what makes FTL standout is its focus on the intimate human relationships at the heart of its grand outer space adventure.

Ty Olsson as Ethan Kane

Veteran Canadian actor Ty Olsson (Supernatural, Battlestar Galactica) is perfectly cast as Kane - astronaut and devoted family man. Olsson brings to the role his unique mix of gravitas and charisma that is enormously appealing.

Aliyah O'Brien as Abby Kane

Actor Aliyah O'Brien (Bates Motel) as Abby Kane serves as the film's emotional anchor. 

O'Brien turns in an affecting performance as a woman grappling with being married to a man whose profession is extremely dangerous and often requires enormous personal sacrifice.

The chemistry between O'Brien, Olsson, and John Torrance (who portrays Ethan and Abby's son Jack) is electric. You quickly become invested in the fate of this family.

By the way, look out for sly shout outs to Star Trek: The Next Generation, the short's spiritual predecessor in terms of tone.

Make no mistake, FTL is a sci-fi adventure story boasting impressive production as testimony. 

Unlike most dystopian and post-apocalyptic films which tend to revel in drab, monochromatic color palettes, this short has a vibrancy stimulating to the eye.

The cinematography and visual effects are gorgeous, which is to be expected considering the impressive credentials of Stern and the uber-talented group of artists who comprise his Artifex Studios.

Artifex Studios has done visual effects work for many notable genre projects in film and television, including: Travelers, Continuum, Childhood's End, Wayward Pines, Descendants 2, Zoo, The Core, and more.

Those talents are certainly brought to bear in FTL, making it a singular viewing experience.

Watch FTL in its entirety here...

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A Young Man Reveals A Dark Proclivity In The Sci-Fi Horror Short 'Meet Henry'

What do you think are the most frightening monsters?

My answer would not be vampires, werewolves, or zombies. Not the xenomorphs from Aliens.

In my book, human beings are the most terrifying monsters of all, because of the cruelty we can visit upon each other.

When watching the opening scene of Meet Henry, you will meet the titular character who appears to be an average young man conversing with a friend.

Things quickly escalate during the debate when Henry reveals a dark proclivity.

You may think the film falls squarely in the horror genre with no science fiction influence to be found, but wait until the final moments of this brief, though haunting short.

To reveal more would give away the pivotal plot twist at the end. A turn that will absolutely place this short in Black Mirror territory of dark science fiction.

This film also marks the debut of Chris K. Daniels (who also stars), a promising young filmmaker. 

Watch Meet Henry here...

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A Prisoner Of The Nazis Undergoes A Horrifying Experiment In The Sci-Fi Short 'CELL'

In 1943 during the height of World War II, a British soldier (Laurence Saunders) is captured by the Nazis and transported to an underground bunker.

Sharing a prison cell with the soldier is a mysterious and frightened woman (Livvie May).

Soon the prisoners are forced to participate in a sadistic psychological experiment that comes to a conclusion that must be seen to be believed.

Written by Alex Hollister with direction by Paul Holbrook, CELL is a sci-fi short film that blows away attempts to be categorized.

Billed by its producing studios - Shunk Films and Sascha May Productions - as "A Sci-Fi B-Movie," the short is a World War II period piece intentionally made to appear as if it were filmed during the 1980s for VHS home viewing.

To accomplish this "period piece within a period piece" aesthetic, CELL has a number of cool and imaginative production hallmarks, including title sequences which mirror those of the movies of the era, as well as a music score composed of synthesized beats - another ionic aspect of sci-fi cinema in the 1980s.

Along with its mind-bending plot and terrific cast, CELL is certain to garner much attention when it hits the film festival circuit this year.

Watch the short in its entirety here...

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