Andy Dossett Las Cruces Sun-News Reporter assisted by AI The locally produced sci-fi short film "A Door in the Sky" is set to premiere at 1 p.m. on Nov. 16 at the Rio Grande Theater in Las Cruces, NM The film, a collaboration between LiteShaper Films and Film Las Cruces, is free and open to the public, according to a community announcement. Written and directed by Richard Lacy, the film features local filmmakers and actors. Lacy hopes the short film will pave the way for a full-length feature, contributing to the growth of the film industry in Las Cruces and supporting local talent and stories. “A Door in the Sky is very much a New Mexico-centric story and honors the way I grew up here," Lacy said. Set in the 70s, it echoes the fantastic Spielbergian adventures of that era, but very much has its own original identity. Lacy said the film explores themes of family, healing from grief and connecting to something greater — brought to life through the talents of New Mexico's local filmmakers and artisans. Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more! The film is set in early summer, 1977 in Las Cruces, New Mexico. It follows 18-year-old physics prodigy Ben West, played by Blake Bundy, who, while working with his father, falls from his dad’s water well drilling rig. As Ben lies comatose and close to death in the hospital, his siblings and lifelong friend Mateo Cruz, played by Matthew Frietze, receive a strange signal in Ben’s homemade electronics lab. The signal leads to the manifestation of a mysterious alien doorway that could forever alter Ben’s fate, the lives of their family and the destiny of humanity. “A Door In The Sky is another example of the wonderful homegrown talent we have here in Las Cruces,” said Film Las Cruces film liaison Andrew Jara. “It’s great to see what talented filmmakers like Richard Lacy can do with the talented cast and crew of Las Cruces.” The film stars Liam Day and River Scott as Ben's younger brothers, Steve and Rick, and Skylar Rose as his seven-year-old sister, Lori. This story was created by reporter Andy Dossett, ADossett@gannett.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct . Source: https://www.lcsun-news.com/story/entertainment/events/2025/11/10/watch-a-door-in-the-sky-at-the-rio-grande-theater-in-las-cruces/87130072007/