Science-Fiction

ARTHON — A short film directed by Nawal Kaffouf

Arthon, an extraterrestrial child, is sent to Earth with a mission: to destroy humanity before humanity destroys the planet.

Ashley Brown

Aug 16, 2026 - 14:03

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Synopsis

Arthon realizes that human beings do not understand the damage they are causing to the planet. He also understands that humans can even go as far as killing each other to defend their own interests.

James Lewis, on the other hand, only wants to meet Arthon for his own personal gain. His goal is to use the extraterrestrial’s power to increase his influence and strength. He believes that with Arthon’s power, he could become the ruler of the world.

We can see this clearly when James Lewis asks Arthon to test his power by eliminating one of his colleagues who is interfering with his business. Arthon refuses to obey him because he does not want to do exactly what James Lewis asks of him.

James Lewis is the founder of a company specializing in palm oil. He does not care at all about the destruction of tropical rainforests, because what matters most to him is his business, money, and power. He does not believe in global warming at all and does not care about the consequences of his activities on the planet. To him, Arthon’s power represents a unique opportunity to go even further in his quest for wealth and domination.

Producer, Screenwriter & Director Nawal Kaffouf

Actors Max Kafel and David Zev Weiner

Format Short Film

Running Time 12:21 minutes

Genre Sci-Fi

Language English

Country United States

Interview with Director Nawal Kaffouf — ARTHON

Where was ARTHON filmed ?

Director Nawal Kaffouf ARTHON was filmed in Chicago, United States.

Why did you choose to film ARTHON in the United States ?

Director Nawal Kaffouf As a French filmmaker, I have always been passionate about American films and short films, particularly their atmosphere, storytelling, visual style, and language. I wanted ARTHON to have an authentic American setting and to be filmed in English. Filming there was an extraordinary experience for me as a French director. It allowed, work with American actors and crew, and bring the world of ARTHON to life in a setting that perfectly suited the story.

Could you tell us about the original idea behind Arthon ?

Director Nawal Kaffouf Arthon is a science-fiction film born from my reflections on climate change and the consequences of our actions on our planet. I imagined a story in which an extraterrestrial who looks human comes to Earth with a mission: to eliminate humanity in order to save his own planet.

Why does this extraterrestrial have to destroy humanity ?

Director Nawal Kaffouf Because the two planets are connected. The extraterrestrial’s planet is also in danger, and its future directly depends on Earth’s survival. If our planet continues to be destroyed and the situation gets worse, their world will be doomed as well. To them, humanity has therefore become a threat to their own survival.

The fact that the extraterrestrial is a child is particularly interesting. Why did you make that choice ?

Director Nawal Kaffouf I chose a child because children have a more innocent appearance, while in Arthon, the reality is quite the opposite. Behind this fragile and innocent appearance is a terrible mission: to eliminate humanity in order to save his people. I wanted to create this contrast and show that appearances can be deceiving.

What message do you want to convey through Arthon ?

Director Nawal Kaffouf I want to show that some people still don’t realize how much we are destroying our planet. Despite the warnings, the situation continues to get worse. Unfortunately, I believe that for some of the consequences, it is already too late. Arthon is therefore also a warning about what could happen if we continue to ignore the danger.

You are a French filmmaker. You directed your first two short films in France, A Crazy Teacher and LPDM, as well as Arthon. Why did you choose to make this new project in the United States?

Director Nawal Kaffouf For my first two short films, I was fortunate enough to be selected and receive awards at several festivals in the United States and other countries. That really encouraged me. I also felt that my projects, especially their original stories, were more warmly welcomed abroad than in France. I honestly never expected to receive so much interest and positive feedback from American audiences.

Does American cinema particularly influence you ?

Director Nawal Kaffouf Yes, very much. I mainly watch American movies and TV series, and American cinema inspires me greatly. I love the way they tell stories, create worlds, and take risks with original projects. That’s also one of the reasons why I wanted to take this experience with Arthon.