VERGENNES — So, a UFOlogist walks into a bar…

What sounds like the set-up for a punchline was actually a thrilling Thursday night at the Vergennes wine bar 10 Green Street, where noted UFO documentarian and Charlotte resident James Fox screened his latest film for a full house on April 30.

The warmly lit, minimalist space was the perfect setting for a gathering of locals, curious regulars and, of course, longtime fans of the filmmaker’s work. Co-owner and woodworker Nate D’Aversa even built a custom wooden screen for the occasion, sparing no aesthetic detail for Fox’s arrival.

The documentary itself, “Moment of Contact,” was an exposé of the Varginha case — dubbed “the Area 51 of Brazil” — which took Fox more than 16 years to complete. From interviews with top government officials to revelations from experiencers and even threats against Fox’s life, the pulse-pounding film had attendees rapt and ready to fire off their questions in the Q&A that followed. Interjections from Fox throughout the screening, like, “Remind me to tell you about a breakthrough on this part that happened just two weeks ago!” only heightened the feeling that this was no ordinary movie night.

Audience members occasionally gasped or nervously murmured during tense moments, sometimes reacting alongside the director’s own on-screen reaction, fully immersed in the experience.

At the film’s conclusion, the director held court over elegant local wines, including co-owner Camila Carrillo’s own La Montañuela. First he expanded on recent developments involving the figures we met on screen, touched on connections to research from other leading voices in the field and then opened the floor.

Questions ranged from the highly specific, like the chemical makeup of the soil in certain scenes, to the broader, unavoidable one: What’s the big picture here?

When asked what he thought of the questions, Fox told me, “Prior to 2017, if I even broached this topic, people would probably recommend to my doctor that he up the dosage of a medication I’m not even on! The fact that there were any questions asked about this alleged event was shocking to me — in a very good way.”

What stands out is how well-connected Fox is, casually referencing names from the world of UFOlogy that would leave any devoted seeker starstruck. But it never comes across as bragging; his disarming personality makes these kinds of anecdotes feel less like insider swagger and more like a friendly invitation into his world.

I asked Fox how Vermont ranks, as far as sightings and experiences go.

“I don’t know if it’s just because it’s more rural, or the fact that there’s less light pollution — because the phenomenon happens everywhere. But I’ve got to say, I definitely have heard about a lot here,” he said. “I’ve been to Nevada and spent a lot of time in Arizona, and those are hot spots, but … I don’t know if it’s just because people are looking at the sky more or if there’s an uptick in activity here for some reason. I don’t know. But I’ve heard some really compelling experiences.”

The night closed with a stellar combination in anyone’s book: cheese plates and conversation. Business owners, professors and even a police chief stayed to mingle and discuss life’s mysteries together, proof that the urge to peer into the unknown is simply part of human nature.

So, I’m sure you’re still wondering… is anyone out there? You’ll have to watch the film to decide for yourself — or come to his next documentary screening at 10 Green Street. Keep an eye out for upcoming dates.