Touch is a 2022 crime horror short film written and directed by Justin Burquist. The film stars Eva Ceja, Randy Davison, Steve Froehlich and Nick Young. It won Best Horror Short Film at Berlin Short Film Festival, was nominated for Best Art Direction at Oceanside International Film Festival and screened at Monster Fest and the San Diego Comic-Con Independent Film Festival.
| Touch | |
|---|---|
 Poster | |
| Directed by | Justin Burquist |
| Written by | Justin Burquist |
| Produced by |
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| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Ray Gallardo |
| Edited by | Fernando Garcia |
| Music by | Matthew Gradala |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Klipist |
Release dates |
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Running time | 8 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $10,000 |
Plot
editHomicide police bring in a mysterious woman with a supernatural ability to help them solve a gruesome murder.
Cast
edit- Eva Ceja as Carmen
- Randy Davison as Victim
- Steve Froehlich as Killer
- Nick Young as Detective Hooper
- Jayce Venditti as Deputy Smith
- Ron Christopher Jones as Deputy O'Neal
Production
editJustin Burquist used the film's technique on a previous music video[1] and said the film is influenced by Se7en and Brian De Palma.[2] Principal photography took place at Gray Area Multimedia in downtown San Diego in 2021.[2][3] John Menvielle helped with sound recording, visual effects and editing.[4] Jayce Venditti and Ron Christopher Jones were also cast in the film.[5] It was made for a $10,000 budget.[6]
Release
editThe film premiered at Los Angeles Crime & Horror Film Festival on November 20, 2022.[7] It screened at Monster Fest with Matthew Holmes' The Cost,[8][9] Berlin Short Film Festival,[10] Oceanside International Film Festival[11] and Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival.[1][12]
It was distributed by Klipist on May 22, 2024.[13]
Reception
editCritical response
editRebecca Cherry at Film Carnage praised Ceja's performance and said the film was "a captivating, mysterious blend of crime thriller and horror," scoring it 8 out of 10.[14] Mac Brewer at Horror Society scored it 4 out of 5 noting they "would love to see this further explored or redone into a feature film" because it is "a unique crime thriller/horror tale that has so much more potential."[15] Simon Thompson at Bloody Flicks praised the film, saying it was "visually captivating, and striking in its originality."[6] Adam La Rosa at Monster Fest said the film was "interesting and mind-bending."[9]
Accolades
edit| Festival | Year | Award | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Crime & Horror Film Festival | 2022 | Best Editing | Fernando Garcia | Won | [4] |
| Berlin Short Film Festival | 2023 | Best Horror Short Film: Audience Award | Evette Betancourt, Justin Burquist, Christopher Holloway | Won | |
| Oceanside International Film Festival | 2023 | Best Art Direction | Nicole Valencia | Nominated | [11] |
| San Diego Film Awards | 2023 | Best Narrative Short Film | Evette Betancourt, Justin Burquist, Christopher Holloway | Won | [16] |
| Best Sound Design | Joe Godfrey | Won | |||
| Best Director | Justin Burquist | Nominated | [5] | ||
| Best Lead Actress | Eva Ceja | Nominated | |||
| Best Cinematography | Ray Gallardo | Nominated | |||
| Best Editing | Fernando Garcia | Nominated | |||
| Best Production Design | Nicole Valencia | Nominated | |||
| Best Visual Effects | John Menvielle | Nominated | |||
| Brightside Tavern Film Festival | 2024 | Best Director Horror/Thriller | Justin Burquist | Nominated | [17] |
| Best Horror/Thriller | Touch | Nominated | |||
| Best Concept | Nominated |
References
edit- ^ a b Ramos, Katherine (2023-07-27). "Comic-Con 'Touched' by Local's Short Film". Calexico Chronicle. Archived from the original on 2023-07-27. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
- ^ a b Brewer, Mac (2022-07-05). "Teaser & Poster for Short Horror Thriller 'Touch' by Justin Burquist". Horror Society (Press release). Archived from the original on 2022-07-06. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
- ^ "Comic-Con Local Film Screening: Touch - Saturday, July 22, 2023, 5 p.m. | San Diego Reader". San Diego Reader. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
- ^ a b Frausto, Elisabeth (2023-06-06). "La Jolla resident has special effect on local film up for San Diego Film Awards". La Jolla Light. Archived from the original on 2023-06-07. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
- ^ a b Beveridge, Madison (2023-06-21). "Point Loma actor adds to film resumé in short nominated for eight San Diego Film Awards". Point Loma-OB Monthly. Archived from the original on 2023-06-21. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
- ^ a b Thompson, Simon (2024-06-10). "Touch review". Bloody Flicks. Archived from the original on 2024-06-10. Retrieved 2024-06-28.
- ^ "Festival Lineup - Los Angeles Crime & Horror Film Festival". LA Crime & Horror Film Festival. 2022-11-22. Archived from the original on 2022-11-22. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
- ^ "MF The Cost". Cinema Nova. 2022-11-22. Archived from the original on 2022-11-22. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
- ^ a b La Rosa, Adam (2022-11-28). "The Cost World Premiere Wrap Up". La Rosa Productions. Archived from the original on 2023-02-09. Retrieved 2023-07-26.
- ^ "Festival 2023 | Berlin Short Film Festival". Berlin Short Film Festival. Archived from the original on 2023-02-21. Retrieved 2023-02-21.
- ^ a b "OIFF 2023 AWARD NOMINEES". Oceanside International Film Festival. Archived from the original on 2023-02-21. Retrieved 2023-02-21.
- ^ "Comic-Con 2023: Touch". San Diego Comic Con. Retrieved 2023-07-16.
- ^ "Touch (Short Film) - Watch for free | Klipist". Retrieved 2024-05-28.
- ^ Cherry, Rebecca (2023-07-19). "Review: Touch". Film Carnage. Archived from the original on 2023-07-21. Retrieved 2023-07-26.
- ^ Brewer, Mac (2024-06-20). "Touch (Short Review)". Horror Society. Retrieved 2024-06-28.
- ^ "Touch wins SD Film Award". Joe Godfrey. 2023-06-25. Archived from the original on 2023-07-27. Retrieved 2023-07-27.
- ^ "March 2024 Award Winners & Nominees". BRIGHTSIDE TAVERN FILM FESTIVAL. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
External links
edit- Touch at IMDb
- Touch at Letterboxd
- Touch at Klipist