Sci-Fi short CERA opens on a chilling note: during a fog-filled twilight, a woman (Maria Elena Laas) lies injured on the kitchen floor of a house on a lake.

The woman’s young daughter, Hailey (Cali DiCapo), and her husband John (Jason Isaacs) frantically attend to her, all while something is banging on their door, trying to get in to the house.

The culprit responsible for the attack is CERA - but who or what is CERA?

CERA is a gripping proof-of-concept short written by John Irwin for a potential feature. Though its runtime is just shy of eight minutes, this atmospheric film gives you an intriguing look into a mysterious near-future.

Watch CERA in its entirety here…

With a solid cast led by veteran actor Jason Isaacs (Harry Potter, Star Trek: Discovery), CERA tells a self-contained story, while boasting provocative imagery complementing its mysterious plot.

Still, the film will leave you wanting to know the characters’ ultimate fate, as well as answers to significant plot threads left dangling (hopefully to be explored in the feature film).

Establishing a fully-realized world while creating an intriguing mythology is the fine line an effective proof-of-concept short must navigate.

CERA succeeds in this on all counts.

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.

We are proud of the fact The 7th Matrix has been operating AD-FREE since its inception in 2013. Please help us continue. Thank you!