Alex DeMille's sci-fi thriller "The Absence" took the top prize at this year's 17th annual Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival. The film also took home the top prize in the sci-fi/fantasy category.
A synopsis from DeMille's official website reads:
"Benjamin Moss (MATTHEW RAUCH), assistant manager in the Records Department of Black House Securities, is sent on a mission to a mysterious and barren rural landscape. There he crosses paths with eleven-year-old Jonathan Gardner (JAN UCZKOWSKI), a boy who is beginning to wake up to the dark forces devastating his town. Ben confronts the truth behind his company's work and must choose whether to continue to obey his messianic boss (LARRY SWANSEN)."
The film has also won prizes at eleven other regional film festivals including the Las Vegas Film Festival, Long Island Film Festival and Beverly Hills Shorts Festival.
For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com
Entertainment News
June 12, 2026 17:14 ET Major central bank action was the focus this week in economic news. The European Central Bank became the first major central bank to move in response to the rising inflationary pressures in the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East. In North America, the U.S. inflation and trade data as well as Canada’s central bank decision gained attention. The Chinese trade data was the main news in Asia.