Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Subscribe to DUST on YouTube: bit.ly/2aqc5vh
๐ช You are entering a fictional zone: reality has been suspended.
A skeptical teenage girl, Riley, reluctantly joins her UFO-obsessed father, Jerry, on a road trip to a UFO convention, only to experience an otherworldly encounter that brings them closer together.
"Close Encounter" by Jeph Porter
๐ถ Connect with the Filmmakers:
instagram.com/maplightfilmworks
youtube.com/@maplightfilmworks
maplightfilmworks.com
๐ฌ Directorโs Statement:
We were given the opportunity to make a film on a virtual production stage and we wanted to make something that was more than a glorified tech demo and could stand on its own. The story of a father and daughter doing their best to connect on a road trip not only fit our production needs but was a story I understood well. Being a big science fiction fan, I was of course drawn to the idea of that relationship being tested by a giant UFO and an interstellar trip. Together with my co-writer, my producing partner slash DP, the cast, the crew, and especially my editor and composer, we brought that to life via virtual production one very snowy weekend in Chicago.
๐๏ธ About the Film:
Written and Directed by
Jeph Porter
Produced by
Jamison Acker
Jeph Porter
3D Artist
Rachel Oftedahl
Virtual Production Supervisors
Todd Freese
Scott Miller
Director of Photography
Jamison Acker
Story by
Jeph Porter
Mikey Chastain
Post Production Supervisor/Editor
Michael Lux
Music by
JG Shadid
First Assistant Director
Timothy Farrell
Cast:
Allison Carmody
Dale Dobson
Alison Banowsky
Connect with DUST:
Website ๐: watchdust.com
Follow Us on Facebook ๐: facebook.com/watchdust
Follow Us on Instagram ๐ท: instagram.com/watchdust
Follow us on TikTok ๐ฑ: tiktok.com/@watch_dust
#DUST #scifi #shortfilm
Submit Your Short Film: filmfreeway.com/alterdustsubmissions
NOTE: Only completed shorts will be considered. Unsolicited scripts or pitches will be immediately deleted without review.
About DUST:
DUST is a thriving community of storytellers, working together to present thought-provoking science fiction stories. Beyond our longstanding presence on YouTube, DUST also operates ALIEN NATION, a free streaming tv channel available on Google TV, Pluto TV, DIRECTV, Sling, TiVo, Freevee, Fubo, Roku, CW, LG, Plex, Samsung TV+, Tablo, TCL+, Tubi, Vizio, & Fumo.
Learn how to Watch ALIEN NATION on TV: https://linktr.ee/futureawaits
Listen to the DUST podcast:
Apple: bit.ly/DUST-Audio
Spotify: bit.ly/DUST-Spotify
Stitcher: bit.ly/DUST-Stitcher
Castbox: bit.ly/DUST-Castbox
iHeart: bit.ly/DUST-iHeart
About Gunpowder + Sky:
Creating content that resonates and impacts pop culture conversation, by empowering creators to take risks and experiment relentlessly in the pursuit of novel stories and formats.
Subscribe to DUST on YouTube: bit.ly/2aqc5vh
๐ช You are entering a fictional zone: reality has been suspended.
A skeptical teenage girl, Riley, reluctantly joins her UFO-obsessed father, Jerry, on a road trip to a UFO convention, only to experience an otherworldly encounter that brings them closer together.
"Close Encounter" by Jeph Porter
๐ถ Connect with the Filmmakers:
instagram.com/maplightfilmworks
youtube.com/@maplightfilmworks
maplightfilmworks.com
๐ฌ Directorโs Statement:
We were given the opportunity to make a film on a virtual production stage and we wanted to make something that was more than a glorified tech demo and could stand on its own. The story of a father and daughter doing their best to connect on a road trip not only fit our production needs but was a story I understood well. Being a big science fiction fan, I was of course drawn to the idea of that relationship being tested by a giant UFO and an interstellar trip. Together with my co-writer, my producing partner slash DP, the cast, the crew, and especially my editor and composer, we brought that to life via virtual production one very snowy weekend in Chicago.
๐๏ธ About the Film:
Written and Directed by
Jeph Porter
Produced by
Jamison Acker
Jeph Porter
3D Artist
Rachel Oftedahl
Virtual Production Supervisors
Todd Freese
Scott Miller
Director of Photography
Jamison Acker
Story by
Jeph Porter
Mikey Chastain
Post Production Supervisor/Editor
Michael Lux
Music by
JG Shadid
First Assistant Director
Timothy Farrell
Cast:
Allison Carmody
Dale Dobson
Alison Banowsky
Connect with DUST:
Website ๐: watchdust.com
Follow Us on Facebook ๐: facebook.com/watchdust
Follow Us on Instagram ๐ท: instagram.com/watchdust
Follow us on TikTok ๐ฑ: tiktok.com/@watch_dust
#DUST #scifi #shortfilm
Submit Your Short Film: filmfreeway.com/alterdustsubmissions
NOTE: Only completed shorts will be considered. Unsolicited scripts or pitches will be immediately deleted without review.
About DUST:
DUST is a thriving community of storytellers, working together to present thought-provoking science fiction stories. Beyond our longstanding presence on YouTube, DUST also operates ALIEN NATION, a free streaming tv channel available on Google TV, Pluto TV, DIRECTV, Sling, TiVo, Freevee, Fubo, Roku, CW, LG, Plex, Samsung TV+, Tablo, TCL+, Tubi, Vizio, & Fumo.
Learn how to Watch ALIEN NATION on TV: https://linktr.ee/futureawaits
Listen to the DUST podcast:
Apple: bit.ly/DUST-Audio
Spotify: bit.ly/DUST-Spotify
Stitcher: bit.ly/DUST-Stitcher
Castbox: bit.ly/DUST-Castbox
iHeart: bit.ly/DUST-iHeart
About Gunpowder + Sky:
Creating content that resonates and impacts pop culture conversation, by empowering creators to take risks and experiment relentlessly in the pursuit of novel stories and formats.
