An Apogee Media presentation
Written by ALI MATLOCK & JUBEI POWERS
Produced by MATT BRUCATO & ALI MATLOCK
Starring DANIEL RIOS JR., BRIE COVINGTON

Directed by Ali Matlock

“Takes us straight into Twilight Zone territory and weaves a solid story together with a twist at the end that will make you want to watch the film again and again.”

— Film Threat

Awards

Thrills and Chills Film Awards Award Winner · 2023
Vegas Movie Awards — Best Thriller Award Winner · 2022
End of Days Film Festival — Best Male Actor Daniel Rios Jr. · 2022
Calcutta International Cult Film Festival — Best Short Film Award Winner · 2022
Monkey Bread Tree Film Awards — Best Short Film Award Winner · 2022
Soul 4 Reel Film Festival — Best Direction Award Winner · 2022
HP Lovecraft Film Festival
Annual "Best Of" BluRay Collection · 2024
One of the most meaningful recognitions in cosmic horror cinema

Festival Selections

H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival — Cosmic Horror & Weird Fiction 2024
HorrOrigins Film Festival — Tucson, AZ 2022
International Black Film Festival — Nashville, TN 2022
LightReel Film Festival 2022
Charlotte Black Film Festival 2022
Katra Film Series — New York, NY 2022
Columbus Black International Film Festival 2022
Soul 4 Reel Film Festival 2022
NC Black Film Festival 2022
DC Independent Film Festival / DCIFF 2022
Monkey Bread Tree Film Awards 2022
End of Days Film Festival 2022
Vegas Movie Awards 2022
SENSEI FilmFest 2022
Calcutta International Cult Film Festival 2021
Vancouver Independent MovieMaker Awards Semi-Finalist · 2022
Charlotte Black Film Festival Semi-Finalist · 2022

Indie Shorts Mag

“Ali Matlock’s Shadows of the Dust beguiles its viewer until the very last moment as to its direction, resulting in a thriller with a complex narrative and a satisfying ending. Especially helpful is the pacing, which leaves the viewer unsure of the direction it is going to take. Shadows of the Dust explores its subgenre without appearing gimmicky, and it is the writing and editing that are its winning cards. What is in the woods is in the order of existential horror, and far more frightening than any beast.”

— Indie Shorts Mag

Film Threat

7.5 / 10

"Takes us straight into Twilight Zone territory and weaves a solid story together with a twist at the end that will make you want to watch the film again and again."

— Alan Ng, Film Threat

The Independent Critic

"Matlock has pulled off a film that weaves together elements of a thriller along with quietly portrayed social justice themes. Matlock's direction is confident and strong despite the challenges of low-budget filmmaking, and the cinematography from Chris Skiles nicely taps into the film's more suspenseful elements while also bringing us close enough to Charlie and Terri that we become invested in their evolving story."

— Richard Propes, The Independent Critic