Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsEmmysSan Diego Comic-ConSummer Watch GuideToronto Int'l Film FestivalSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
IMDbPro

John Was Trying to Contact Aliens

  • 2020
  • 16m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
1.8K
YOUR RATING
John Was Trying to Contact Aliens (2020)
Watch Official Trailer
Play trailer1:06
1 Video
13 Photos
BiographyDocumentaryRomanceSci-FiShort

John Shepherd spent 30 years trying to contact extraterrestrials by broadcasting music millions of miles into space. After giving up the search he makes a different connection here on Earth.John Shepherd spent 30 years trying to contact extraterrestrials by broadcasting music millions of miles into space. After giving up the search he makes a different connection here on Earth.John Shepherd spent 30 years trying to contact extraterrestrials by broadcasting music millions of miles into space. After giving up the search he makes a different connection here on Earth.

  • Director
    • Matthew Killip
  • Stars
    • John Shepherd
    • John Litrenta
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.4/10
    1.8K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Matthew Killip
    • Stars
      • John Shepherd
      • John Litrenta
    • 36User reviews
    • 9Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 2 nominations total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:06
    Official Trailer

    Photos13

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 5
    View Poster

    Top cast2

    Edit
    John Shepherd
    John Shepherd
    • Self
    John Litrenta
    John Litrenta
    • Self
    • Director
      • Matthew Killip
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews36

    6.41.8K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    7triasmoodley

    A dedication to endless wonder

    This way-too-short non-fiction autobiography is truly inspirational. Not many children get to live out their childhood fascinations at the level and magnitude of one John Shepherd and to do it with so little . From a rough childhood and an early infatuation with science fiction to becoming a famous name in space cult pop culture John is both likeable and inspiring . The story is not just about how far imagination and dedication to ones craft can produce amazing things but also reminds us that whilst we may search the universe for answers , we are most likely to find them right here at home on Earth.
    10keithbarry-93571

    The Human Condition we all Need!

    John was trying to contact aliens!!! What would you expect with that title? So, Much more than a title, It's 16 minutes of Live,love,eccentric personalities and so much more! Im so Happy I watched this and I have only one complaint, I WANT TO KNOW MORE!!!! John you have such an awesome story to tell! I hope you make it to where you dream of!
    8circusjelleman-60676

    Short and very sweet

    This is a well spent 16 minuten of my time. It doesn't give you much but for me it peaked my interest just enough to decide to want to know more about this exceptional man and his project.

    I'm very happy for you John...
    8marc_baker1

    I'm a fan of Netflix providing exposure to different forms of storytelling

    Well made short doc (16 minutes) on one man's passion, his search for the unknown, and discovery of something he wasn't looking for. Nicely crafted music. Professional editing and camera work. Good job
    8karlmartin2211

    What a nice guy...

    Although the usual assumption would be to think this guy is a complete fruit loop & a bit bonkers, Netflix have handled this with great sensitivity and I really warmed to the guy. A basic tale of a guy who feels 'different' and is just trying to find meaning not only in the world but spreading cultural love beyond the stars. A lovely little film focusing on a really sweet guy.

    More like this

    The Trader
    6.7
    The Trader
    Three Songs for Benazir
    6.3
    Three Songs for Benazir
    Little Miss Sumo
    6.5
    Little Miss Sumo
    Lead Me Home
    6.3
    Lead Me Home
    Ghosts of Sugar Land
    5.5
    Ghosts of Sugar Land
    Lorena, Light-footed Woman
    7.0
    Lorena, Light-footed Woman
    The Dads
    6.2
    The Dads
    Zion
    7.1
    Zion
    Extremis
    7.2
    Extremis
    A Love Song for Latasha
    6.8
    A Love Song for Latasha
    Fire in Paradise
    7.3
    Fire in Paradise
    What Would Sophia Loren Do?
    6.6
    What Would Sophia Loren Do?

    Storyline

    Edit

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 20, 2020 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Director's website
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • 天外知音
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      16 minutes
    • Color
      • Color

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.