In the striking fantasy short THE WATER PHOENIX, a mermaid fights for her freedom after being betrayed by the one she loves.

Written, directed by, and starring Bola Ogun, the short follows a captured mermaid named Anya, who is on public display in an aquarium.

It soon is revealed the marine biologist (Joseph Dixon) who found her is reneging on his promise to set her free.

With the aquarium's owner planning to transfer her to Japan, Anya takes matters into her own hands to gain her freedom and return to the sea.

Ogun's aquatic fantasy is a remarkable short film for many reasons, but chief among them is it centers a Black woman as an iconic mythical creature.

Frankly, it is still annoying that well into the 21st century, nuanced onscreen representations of Black people in fantasy remain ridiculously inadequate - when present at all.

Fortunately, independent fantasy projects like the web series AVANT-GUARDIANS and THE WATER PHOENIX are helping to expand these representations by telling compelling narratives centering Black women.

Due to Ogun's clever writing, the short is also a keen metaphor for how women become trapped in controlling relationships, as well as the triumph experienced when they take their power back.

Technically, THE WATER PHOENIX also boasts dazzling underwater cinematography and visual effects.

Finally, the short heralds the arrival of an exciting new voice in filmmaking.

Dive into THE WATER PHOENIX here...

Listen to our EYE ON SCI-FI podcast episode featuring THE WATER PHOENIX!

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.

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