# Touch (2022 film)

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.
The film received positive reviews from critics and won Best Horror Short Film at Berlin Short Film Festival, nominated for Best Art Direction at Oceanside International Film Festival, and screened at Monster Fest and the San Diego Comic-Con Independent Film Festival.

## Plot

Homicide police bring in a mysterious woman with a supernatural ability to help them solve a gruesome murder.

## Cast

* 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

Justin Burquist used the film's technique on a previous music video and said the film is influenced by Se7en and Brian De Palma. Principal photography took place at Gray Area Multimedia in downtown San Diego in 2021. John Menvielle helped with sound recording, visual effects and editing. Jayce Venditti and Ron Christopher Jones were also cast in the film. It was made for a $10,000 budget.

## Release

The film premiered at Los Angeles Crime & Horror Film Festival on November 20, 2022. It screened at Monster Fest with Matthew Holmes' The Cost, Berlin Short Film Festival, Oceanside International Film Festival and Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival.
It was distributed by Klipist on May 22, 2024.

## Reception
### Critical response

Rebecca 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. 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." Simon Thompson at Bloody Flicks praised the film, saying it was "visually captivating, and striking in its originality." Adam La Rosa at Monster Fest said the film was "interesting and mind-bending."

### Accolades

| Festival | Year | Award | Recipient(s) | Result |
| Los Angeles Crime & Horror Film Festival | 2022 | Best Editing | Fernando A. Garcia | Won |
| 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 |
| San Diego Film Awards | 2023 | Best Narrative Short Film | Evette Betancourt, Justin Burquist, Christopher Holloway | Won |
| San Diego Film Awards | 2023 | Best Sound Design | Joe Godfrey | Won |
| San Diego Film Awards | 2023 | Best Director | Justin Burquist | Nominated |
| San Diego Film Awards | 2023 | Best Lead Actress | Eva Ceja | Nominated |
| San Diego Film Awards | 2023 | Best Cinematography | Ray Gallardo | Nominated |
| San Diego Film Awards | 2023 | Best Editing | Fernando Garcia | Nominated |
| San Diego Film Awards | 2023 | Best Production Design | Nicole Valencia | Nominated |
| San Diego Film Awards | 2023 | Best Visual Effects | John Menvielle | Nominated |
| Brightside Tavern Film Festival | 2024 | Best Director Horror/Thriller | Justin Burquist | Nominated |
| Brightside Tavern Film Festival | 2024 | Best Horror/Thriller | Touch | Nominated |
| Brightside Tavern Film Festival | 2024 | Best Concept | Touch | Nominated |