As we enter not only into a new year but also a new decade, it is time for our look back at the best independent science fiction and genre short films we covered in 2019.

The year featured breathtaking speculative works boasting jaw-dropping production value, as well as powerful, timely themes ranging from women’s reproductive rights to the affects of addiction on familial bonds.

Many of these films also serve as the official coming-out for talented and exciting new filmmakers with singular voices.

The previous year bore witness to extraordinary speculative shorts produced with boundless vision, diversity of perspective, narrative ambition, and cinematic sensibilities. Not since I founded The 7th Matrix in 2013 have I been this excited about the future of independent speculative filmmaking based on the quality of the shorts we covered in 2019.

THE WATER PHOENIX

In this mesmerizing aquatic fantasy, a mermaid named Anya is captured by a marine biologist and placed on display in a public aquarium. Intent on regaining her freedom, Anya enacts a plan to save herself and return to her home under the sea. Written, produced by, and starring Bola Ogun, The Water Phoenix breaks new ground by centering a Black woman as a mermaid in an onscreen narrative before Disney’s planned live-action The Little Mermaid film expected in 2021.

LIMINAL

Science fiction is at its best when it uses big ideas to examine the human condition. This short film by filmmakers Collin Davis and Matt Litwiller explores the seismic implications of tech enabling human teleportation via a brilliant script and affecting actor performances. The result is a stripped-down yet intensely compelling story about the human cost of technological advancement.

IT HAPPENED ON ORCHARD STREET

It Happened On Orchard Street by Scott Jeschke is an example of how affecting horror can be when distinct vision and skilled execution combine. The short tells the story of Walter, a man who literally has blood on his hands. Wheeling from a violent incident, Walter falls victim to a chilling haunting. It Happened On Orchard Street boasts a visual style and enthralling use of color reminiscent of the iconic films of the legendary Alfred Hitchcock.

iCON

This gorgeous Greek sci-fi short at first seems to be the story of a couple, Orpheus and Daphni, who are happily married and living a simple, rustic life in a quaint cottage on the beautiful island of Kefalonia. After a strange encounter with a wild dog, Orpheus begins to see cracks in his idyllic life revealing his reality is not what it seems. Written by Yiannis Liolios and directed by Konstantina Papadopoulou, iCon will ensnare you with its uncompromising beauty and mind-blowing twist. (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.)

SELKIE

In this poignant modern fantasy, a selkie—a mythical, seal-like creature curious about humanity— takes on the form of a woman to investigate our world. After becoming trapped in human form, the selkie attempts to escape her human captor and return to the sea. Written and directed by filmmaker Amy Frear, Selkie is a thought-provoking and sensitive look at the devastating affects of toxic relationships.

ZERO

In this gripping post-apocalyptic drama, Alice (Bella Ramsey, Lady Lyana Mormont, Game Of Thrones) is a young girl who has lost her father and is now alone in the world. Armed with her father’s training, Alice must survive sequestered alone in her family’s decrepit farmhouse. When a mysterious stranger arrives, Alice must gather up all her training and courage in order to face a perilous new world. Written and directed by The Brothers Lynch.

TOUCH

George and Jessica are two people with haunted pasts who meet and begin a tender romance. However, Jessica possesses a startling secret that threatens her relationship with George. Written and directed by Shola Amoo, TOUCH is a provocative commentary on technology’s ever-evolving role in the attainment of that which we desire.

BOX 616

Written and directed by Mitch Glass, BOX 616 is a sci-fi mystery that would fit in seamlessly with episodes of Black Mirror or The Twilight Zone. The short’s protagonist, Malcolm, learns he has inherited an enormous bank vault from his grandfather. With the help of the eccentric bank manager, Malcolm gains access to the vault and discovers a mind-bending secret from 70 years in the past.

BLACKWOOD

While on location on a horror film set deep within a vast forest, Nikki, a sound recordist, attempts to capture ambient woodland noise for the movie. Venturing further into the forest, she hears an eerie, unearthly sound. Unsettled, Nikki’s investigation into the source of the weird sound leads her into a terrifying supernatural encounter. Written and directed by Australian filmmaker Andrew Montague, Blackwood is a sonic dive into bone-chilling horror. Editor’s note: Wearing headphones while viewing is strongly advised!

AERANGER

After her starship crashes into the side of a mountain, Kallele, an elf-like being, is the sole survivor. Grievously wounded, Kallele summons all her reserves of inner strength and will to retrieve a precious piece of cargo from her ship in order to complete a mission vital to the survival of her people. Aeranger is the latest outstanding sci-fi project from indie filmmaker Anthony Ferraro.

THE SHAMAN

Though only 17-minutes long, The Shaman is a short film bursting with cinematic-level spectacle. Written and directed by Marco Kalantari, the short reveals a world engulfed in a 70-year-old war between humanity and skyscraper-tall war machines powered by artificial intelligence. Against this backdrop of endless warfare, humanity has rediscovered shamanism - a spiritual dogma stating every one and everything has a soul. A few individuals, called shamans, have the power to enter a spiritual realm called the “Netherworld” where they can manipulate the souls of these war machines. These shamans become crucial weapons in the war, but the cost is high.

WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING

Not to be confused with the Sandra Bullock 1995 romantic comedy of the same name, this haunting short film written and animated by Charlie Stewart is the touching and bittersweet story of two A.I.s on Mars who remain active long after their human clients have mysteriously vanished. The short deftly explores how essential and critical is the human need for connection.

OVUM

The latest project from acclaimed director Cidney Hue is set in a disturbing near-future in which the government exerts extreme control over women’s reproductive rights. The short follows Rosalyn, a woman who is forced to reconsider her decision regarding family planning by undergoing a mentally invasive, government-sponsored excursion into virtual reality. OVUM feels disturbingly prescient in light of controversial, real-life legislation such as heartbeat bills.

MEGAN

Megan is an unofficial short set in the universe of J.J. Abrams’ Cloverfield film franchise. The short imagines an adventure embarked on by the titular character, the referred to but never seen daughter of Howard Stampler, a key character in the film 10 Cloverfield Lane. In the short, Megan is embedded in a military helicopter convoy sent to investigate an unearthly aerial phenomenon over her city. After surviving the crash of her helicopter, Megan learns a global conspiracy is at work and may know critical information about the strange phenomenon. Megan’s plot is gripping and the short looks stunning due to the pedigree of its co-writer and director, Greg Strasz. Strasz is a visual effects coordinator and supervisor with over 17 years of experience working in Hollywood. All of his expertise is brought to bear on Megan, which looks as though it is an official installment of the “Cloververse.”

DISPEL

Dispel is the heart-wrenching story of Lizzie (Eris Baker, This Is Us) who is dealing with an insidious monster possessing her mother. Lizzie summons her beloved television heroine Celeste Skygoode (Gina Torres, Firefly, Suits, Pearson) to help in defeating the creature threatening her family. Written and directed by up-and-coming filmmaker Kylie Eaton, Dispel is a touching and moving allegory for coping with and surviving the addiction of a loved one.

WANDERING SOUL

Wandering Soul is a ghost story set during the height of the Vietnam War. The short follows two Viet Cong soldiers, Dao and Quan, who are hiding from American military forces deep within the tunnels of Cu Chi. Dao is attempting to perform a traditional burial ceremony for a fallen comrade, but is interrupted by Quan. Quan is concerned their hiding place will be discovered and frantically urges Dao to leave. Dao reluctantly complies, leaving the burial rite unfinished. Soon Dao and Quan experience unusual phenomena within the caves, leading them to believe an otherworldly… presence is there with them. Wandering Soul was written and directed by Australian filmmaker Josh Tanner, and is based on actual documented events from the Vietnam War. It is a singular viewing experience you will not soon forget.

Enjoyed these short film selections? Then make sure to check out our picks for the best science fiction and genre short films of 2018!

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