Alfred Catalfo’s latest movie, ‘Rocketship,’ will help launch the New Hampshire Film Festival.

Dover resident Alfred Thomas Catalfo’s last short film, “Bighorn,” was a “supernatural historical fantasy” that traveled back in time to Custer’s Last Stand. His 2006 short, “The Norman Rockwell Code,” was a humorous parody of “The Da Vinci Code.” Almost all of Catalfo’s short films explore lightheartedly fantastical themes. 

“They’ve all been pretty different, but I gravitate a little bit toward things that are maybe a little quirky and a little whimsical,” Catalfo said.

To a degree, the same can be said of his latest flick, “Rocketship,” which will premiere at the New Hampshire Film Festival. But, although it features some fanciful twists, the 15-minute short is not quite as quirky as Catalfo’s prior work. Instead, “Rocketship” is a family drama about a lonely boy who forms an unlikely bond with an elderly man.

That man, played by Tom Dunnington, claims to be a former astronaut and spends his days making model rocket ships out of antique vacuum cleaner parts. Clearly, there is still a potent dose of whimsy in Catalfo’s latest project.

The movie be shown twice during the four-day film festival, which takes place from Thursday to Sunday, Oct. 11 to 14, at five venues spread across downtown Portsmouth. Local and international films, including full-length features, shorts, documentaries and animation, will be screened at The Music Hall, The Music Hall Loft, the Moffatt-Ladd House, the Discover Portsmouth Center, and Seacoast Repertory Theatre. The annual festival will also include workshops, panel discussions, and networking events.

Catalfo, a director, screenwriter and producer (and lawyer by day), has shown his work at film festivals across the nation. His most widely known piece is “The Norman Rockwell Code,” a 35-minute Web-based film that accumulated more than 1 million hits online in just three months. His other past credits include “The Stag Hunt,” “Ear Whacks,” and “Bighorn.” He’s also been a winner or finalist in numerous screenwriting competitions.

“Rocketship” was inspired by the artwork of local sculptor David Random, who creates rockets and other fantasy sculptures from vintage mechanical parts at his studio in Rollinsford. Catalfo had long schemed to make a film based on Random’s work.

“I’m friends with Dave, and I would always look at those rocket ships he made and tell him, ‘This is a short film, I just don’t know how,’” he said.

The movie stars 10-year-old Russell Doucet, the son of local actor Eric Doucet, founder of the improvisational comedy troupe Darwin’s Waiting Room. Catalfo said he auditioned five boys to play the lead role, but as soon as Doucet walked through the door wearing a NASA T-shirt, he knew he’d found a winner (Doucet wears the same shirt in the film). He said working with such a young lead actor was surprisingly easy.

“It really was not challenging. It was an absolute pleasure, and I’m not just saying that. He was really fun to work with,” Catalfo said.

Stories of children with strong imaginations overcoming the skepticism of their parents to pursue their dreams abound in American cinema. It’s a highly relatable theme.

“Every kid feels misunderstood, and to an extent, every kid feels somewhat alone,” he said. “As we grow older we realize that it’s a universal feeling, but at the time it’s happening it feels like maybe you’re alone when you’re young.” 

The film has an all-local cast featuring Gregory Athans, Donna Phofolos and Michael Walsh. Also appearing are local comedian Juston McKinney and Super Secret Project member Billy Donahoe. Filming took place at locations in Rollinsford, Dover, Durham, Rochester, Epping and South Berwick, and several Seacoast landmarks are visible.

The local cast and setting reflect the Seacoast’s surprisingly vibrant film scene. Catalfo said local filmmakers regularly help each other complete projects on minimal budgets, and the Film Festival celebrates that sense of community.

“There are so many really good filmmakers locally,” he said. “I help people out, people help me out, and that’s where it really gets supportive, because you’re probably not going to have much of a budget, at least to do a short film.”

Catalfo is at work on several other projects, including an animated graphic novel called “Moonlight Bait and Ammo,” featuring the voice of Maine humorist Tim Sample. But Catalfo soon hopes to make the transition to full-length films.

For now, though, Catalfo is looking forward to the festival, where he can see what other filmmakers from around the world have been up to.

“When you see really good work and you’re able to appreciate that, and then be able to talk to the filmmakers right then and there, it really is a cool experience,” he said.

“Rocketship” will be shown at The Music Hall on Thursday between 6:15 and 7:25 p.m., and at The Music Hall Loft on Sunday between 4:30 and 5:50 p.m. New Hampshire Film Festival runs Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 11-14. The full schedule is available at www.nhfilmfestival.com and in programs available at the festival