The sci-fi short film The Long Dig reveals a future in which the world is covered in a mysterious purple mist - the aftermath of a war and unnamed cataclysm.

Prolonged exposure to the mist causes hallucinations, illness, and eventual death. There are also many hidden dangers lurking within the thickest parts of the mist, including mutated beasts and scavengers.

The inhabitants of this dangerous new reality either reside in emerging city-states built in sparse, mist-absent clearings high above ground or sequestered in tunnels beneath the earth.

After being exiled from her home above ground, Eve (Kate Hackett) and her companions Laren (Sarah Cortez) and Seamus ( Paul Todd), desperately search the mist for troves of ancient pre-cataclysmic technology.

Such a discovery would assure the trio’s ultimate goal: to return home from exile to “three square meals a day” and the security only the clearings can guarantee.

However, the group’s quest is threatened by significant dangers - both human and inhuman - waiting within the mist.

Watch The Long Dig here…

Make sure to check out our coverage of the short on the EYE ON SCI-FI Podcast Episode #89!

The Long Dig is set within the world of the new role-playing game (RPG) Aeronauts and provides an onscreen look inside its mythology.

Usually, I am very wary of films based on game properties because they often sacrifice dramatic substance and narrative in favor of serving as an extended commercial.

A co-production of Electric Purple Studios, Aureate Films, and Kate Hackett Productions, The Long Dig is an altogether different animal. It takes the mythology of the game and uses it to springboard into a compelling onscreen world steeped in mystery and danger.

The acting also makes this film a cut far above similar game-related shorts. Star Kate Hackett (who also co-wrote and produced the project) and the cast turn in very engaging performances that give the story a sense of real emotional stakes.

The short’s production team also deserves recognition for creating serviceable dark and foreboding, mist-covered locales despite a limited budget.

In all, The Long Dig is a fascinating, worthwhile peek inside a perilous, post-cataclysmic world as envisioned by the game that inspired it.

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