Some People & Secrets Are Better Left Alone In The Horror Short 'NEIGHBORS'

The horror short NEIGHBORS has a very innocuous beginning; in a posh condominium high-rise, young urbanite Brad (Steven Conroy) meets a mysterious new neighbor in the elevator.

Brad attempts to make friendly conversation, but it quickly becomes obvious his aloof neighbor, Carl (Pascal Yen-Pfister), is not interested.

Driven by curiosity, Brad and his girlfriend Melanie (Caitlin Johnston) soon become enmeshed in a mystery involving Carl which will teach them a costly lesson: some people - and secrets - are better left undisturbed.

Written and directed by Brandon Boudreaux, NEIGHBORS generates blood-chilling horror from the unsettling possibility that unspeakable evil may reside right next door to us.

Watch the unnerving NEIGHBORS here...

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In The Short Film 'SWORD OF THE DEAD' A Ronin Does Battle With Zombies In Feudal Japan

 In the short film SWORD OF THE DEAD (SOTD), an exiled ronin ( Masami Kosaka) returns home to discover his birthplace overrun with zombies due to an evil curse.

This latest short by filmmaker Stephen Vitale - whose other short film HOSHINO is an outstanding Star Wars homage - takes worn-out zombie tropes and reinvigorates them by excising the living dead out of Western cultural accouterments and transplanting them into feudal Japan.

The result is a haunting, beautiful short film that is a homage to both the classic George A. Romero zombie film Night Of The Living Dead and the movies of renowned Japanese directors Masaki Kobayashi and Akira Kurosawa.

A tip of the hat to Vitale for including Japanese artisans on the SOTD production team. His directorial vision and their expertise merge together to replicate the look and feel of a film from Japan's cinematic golden age in the 1950s.

 Other inspired artistic choices include the decision to film SOTD in pristine black and white, as well as having all dialogue spoken in Japanese with English subtitles. 

I would be remiss if I didn't call out the riveting performances of  Masami Kosaka as the exiled ronin and Rome Kanda as the old man who warns our hero of the evil that has infested his home.

SOTD is gorgeous, atmospheric and mesmerizing; it is a zombie-action film unlike any you have ever seen.

But don't take my word for it, watch SWORD OF THE DEAD in its entirety here...

Also, check out this fascinating behind-the-scenes video of the making of SOTD...

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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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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.

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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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'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...

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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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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...

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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.

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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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Two British Agents Encounter A Powerful Paranormal Being In The Sci-Fi Short 'The Winter's Club'

The Winter's Club is a remarkable sci-fi short film by Chris Stone, an independent filmmaker whose work we have long admired here at The 7th Matrix.

The short begins within the crumbling bowls of an abandoned neo-gothic building. Two British agents, Shaw (Rachel Shenton) and Shepard (Richard Jack), have been tasked with tracking down Winter (Lewis Brindley) - a powerful member of a group of genetically engineered humans who possess paranormal abilities.

While Shaw believes these beings to be extremely dangerous, Shepard holds a far more compassionate view.

When the duo finally catch up to Winter, he isn't at all what they expect. Their encounter with him reveals life-altering secrets that shatters the agents' worldview.

Originally an entrant in the 2013 Sci-Fi London 48 Hour Film Challenge, The Winter's Club is a prime example of Chris Stone's ability to make low budget filmmaking look and feel truly cinematic.

At a run time of just over four and a half minutes, Stone manages to craft a complete, compelling sci-fi narrative inhabited by characters you quickly become invested in. Major credit must also be given to the superb performances turned in by the cast.

Watch The Winter's Club here...

The Winter's Club is further proof all that is needed to craft an excellent science fiction film is a solid script, capable actors, and a filmmaker with vision and passion.

Discover more of Chris Stone's work by visiting his official web site ChrisStoneShowReels.com.

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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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Announcing 'Eye On Sci-Fi' The Official Podcast Of The 7th Matrix!

We are pleased to announce the launch of our official podcast Eye On Sci-Fi!

Dread Engulfs A Young Mother In The Unnerving Horror Short 'BEHIND'

All of us have experienced it. The times we are certain we are alone, but then a nagging, unsettling feeling tells us we are being watched. 

The Spanish short film BEHIND, written and directed by Ángel Gómez Hernández, exploits that feeling to create a story of intense psychological horror.

The short opens during a children's birthday party. There we meet recently divorced young mother Arianne (Macarena Gómez).

While rambunctious children swarm around her, Arianne is having an altercation over the telephone with her ex-husband regarding custody of their infant daughter.

The tone and tenor of the conversation immediately reveal the custody battle is taking its toll on her.

As she prepares to leave the party with her daughter in tow, a mysterious stranger approaches and delivers a cryptic, blood-chilling warning: at home, a "man" has been standing behind  Arianne and watching her. This man will not leave her alone until he gets what he wants, and she will not be able to see him - until it is too late.

Understandably rattled, Arianne rushes home. 

At first, she dismisses the warning. But when strange phenomena begin to occur, Arianne realizes the warning may have terrifying merit.

From the tense opening moments of its 15-minute runtime to the final disturbing scene, BEHIND is a showcase of edge-of-your-seat, psychological horror.

Much credit for this must be given to the extraordinary performances of the actors, as well as the director's masterful exploitation of one of humanity's most visceral fears - being watched and hunted.

Experience the unnerving horror of BEHIND for yourself...

(Please note the film is in Spanish with English subtitles)

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'Galactic Galaxy' Is A Sci-Fi Comedy Web Series That Looks Like The Love Child Of 'Futurama' & The Cult Classic Film 'Heavy Metal'

Created and directed by filmmaker Anthony Ferraro, Galactic Galaxy is a sci-fi comedy web series like nothing you have seen before.

The screwball space opera tells the story of Fen (Jonathan Castile), an inept space werewolf who just happens to be the "chosen one" destined to save the universe from the dark obsession of galactic despot Dar Kuzar (Jeff Lewis).

Joining Fen on his misadventures is no-nonsense space trucker Pam (Julia Morizawa) and faux-robot Tom (Geoffrey Gould). Together, this rag-tag crew travels the cosmos aboard Pam's spaceship GR4NN3 ("Granny").

The Crew Of The GR4NN3

Anthony Ferraro has created a sci-fi comedy that gleefully revels in the absurd, while also paying tribute to the cult classic animated film Heavy Metal.

However, this web series has a visual aesthetic uniquely its own.

Galactic Galaxy looks and feels like a graphic novel on acid. Ferraro accomplishes this by transforming live-action performances via rotoscoping into animation. The animated sequences have been seamlessly integrated into surreal and vibrant 3D set pieces.

The universe of the series is populated with a menagerie of bizarre and eccentric characters who would feel right at home in an episode of Futurama - especially the main antagonist portrayed with scene-chewing abandon by Jeff Lewis of The Guild fame.

Lewis brings his trademark brand of sardonic zaniness to the role of addled big bad Dar Kuzar. His casting was an inspired choice which perfectly complements the outlandish tone of the series.

With it's amusing send-up of sci-fi tropes, distinctive visual style, and cast of weird, kooky characters, Galactic Galaxy is a smile-inducing, singular viewing experience.

Get a peek into the delirious universe of Galactic Galaxy by watching the premiere episode here...

Visit the series YouTube channel to watch the show as it unfolds. To learn more about the production, visit the official Galactic Galaxy Facebook page.

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A Body Jumping Covert Operative Faces A Crisis Of Identity In The Sci-Fi Short 'Let Them Die Like Lovers'

"This is NOT my body."

This foreboding declaration opens the alluring and exquisite sci-fi short film Let Them Die Like Lovers.

Deep within a secluded forest in a C.I.A. safe house, an experimental counter-terrorism operation is underway.

Covert agent Alexa (Angela Lewis, Snowfall) has been given the ability to "jump" into other bodies in order to carry out government-sanctioned assassinations. 

During one mission, she inhabits the father of a target. In another, she is the lover of the chosen mark.

Protecting Alexa's real body is her fellow agent, handler, and lover Marko (Mustafa Shakir, Luke Cage). Marko also serves as Alexa's emotional anchor as the stress of her constant body jumps  - as well as the questionable morality of her missions - begins to weigh heavily on her psyche.

Angela Lewis as Alexa. Mustafa Shakir as Marko. Photo property of Autonomika Industries

Alexa constantly recites to herself the mantra "This is not my body" in order to prevent losing herself during her traumatic body-jumping odysseys.

After one harrowing assassination, Alexa makes a heart-wrenching decision in a desperate attempt to preserve her own identity.

Written by Aaron Wolfe & Jesse Atlas (who also directed), Let Them Die Like Lovers is a  haunting rumination on the crucial roles love, morality, and identity play in human connection - masquerading as a gorgeous and absorbing sci-fi action thriller.

Watch Let Them Die Like Lovers here...

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An IT Professional Battles A Demonic Computer Virus In The Horror Short 'Eldritch Code'

Adapted by Swedish director Ivan Radovic from an original story written by Glen Cadigan, Eldritch Code is the official short film adaptation of the story "One Of Those Days," which appeared in the horror anthology Cthulu Tales #6 published by comic book publisher BOOM! Studios.

Inspired by H.P. Lovecraft, Eldritch Code is the story of Gus (Martin Hendrikse), an IT professional dealing with what he believes is a run-of-the-mill computer virus attempting to infect his company's servers.

However, Gus quickly realizes the virus he is fighting is unlike anything he has ever seen. The infected files actually contain a demonic presence that threatens far more than his company's computer network.

Soon Gus is pulled down into a hellish rabbit hole leading to a deranged world of cults and dark gods from beyond the stars.

Eldrich Code is a fascinating watch because it successfully marries the mundane horrors of 9 to 5 American corporate culture with the fevered and metaphysical horror author H. P. Lovecraft is responsible for popularizing.

Watch this very stylish and wonderfully bizarre horror short film here ...

To discover more about the making of Eldritch Code and the original story that inspired it, visit the short's official Facebook page.

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