TRAILER
THE LAST TOUCH
Short movie, Dystopian
A young couple struggles to keep their love alive in a world where technology has replaced intimacy, and human touch is deadly.
***
The Last Touch was originally filmed in 2018, although Mars never imagined it would be so prescient! “We are so connected that we are disconnected” is the core idea explored in writer/director Melissa Mars’ award winning short film which has been compared to Black Mirror and Orwell’s 1984. “Disturbing”, “Powerful” (ESO network), the short film has garnered an enthusiastic response at festivals, having already won Best Sci-Fi Short at the Hollywood Boulevard Film Festival 2021, Crypticon Minneapolis 2021, Crypticon Kansas City 2021 and Best Social Distanced Production Runner-up at Miami International Science Fiction Film Festival 2021, honorable mention at Atlanta Sci Fi Film Festival 2021, with multiple other award nominations and more than twenty official selections!
In addition to the film’s success on the festival circuit, Made in Mars Studios is currently working on developing The Last Touch as a pilot.
“We are so connected, that we are disconnected…”
Melissa Mars, writer & director
The Last Touch found a new home!
Vidiverse is a revolutionary streaming platform, created and launched recently by Alex Proyas, acclaimed director who helmed iRobot, Dark City, among other and biggest supporter of indie filmmakers!
Vidiverse is now the new home of The Last Touch included in Deceptions, a collection of five stories that toy with your expectations like a cat with a rat.
The Last Touch found a new home!
Vidiverse is a revolutionary streaming platform, created and launched recently by Alex Proyas, acclaimed director who helmed The Crow, iRobot, Dark City… and is the biggest supporter of indie filmmakers!
Vidiverse is now the new home of The Last Touch included in Deceptions, a collection of five stories that toy with your expectations like a cat with a rat.
AWARDS & SELECTIONS
WINNER
- Best Scifi Short @ Crypticon Minneapolis 2021 – Shockfest & Cryptic Awards
- Best Scifi Short @ Crypticon Kansas City 2021 – Shockfest & Cryptic Awards
- Best Scifi Short @ Hollywood Boulevard Film Festival 2021
- Best Social Distanced Production Runner-up @ Miami International Science Fiction Film Festival 2021
- Honorable Mention @ Atlanta Sci-Fi Film Festival 2021
NOMINATIONS
- Stranger Days Independent Film Festival 2021 (U.S.) * Best Scifi Short
- Paris Art and Movie Awards 2021 (FR) * Best International Short
- Unrestricted View Film Festival 2021 (U.K) * 2 Nominations (Best Sound & Best Score)
- World London Film Festival 2021 (U.K) * Gold Selection
- L’Hospitalet de Llobregat International Film Festival 2020 (Spain) * 4 Nominations (Best International Short, Best Actress, Best Scenario, Best Director)
OFFICIAL SELECTIONS
- Skyline Indie Film Festival 2022
- HollyShorts Monthly Screenings 2022
- Vero Beach Film Festival 2022
- Garden State Film Festival 2022
- Silicon Beach Film Festival 2021
- Philadelphia Independant Film Festival 2021
- Hobnobben Film Festival 2021
- Detroit Shetown Film Festival 2021
- Festival du Film Merveilleux & Imaginaire 2021
- Green Mountain International Film Festival 2021
- Zeitgeist Film Festival 2021
- Tylerman Film Festival 2021
- AXD Short Film Festival 2021 (Greece)
- Cinema Sisters International Film Festival 2021
- Midwest WeirdFest 2021
- Pittsburgh Shorts 2020
STILLS
The Last Touch stills
All Rights Reserved © Made in Mars Studios
CAST & CREW
Writer/Director and award winning international artist Melissa Mars (From Paris with Love, Mozart The Rock Opera), stars alongside award winning actor James Kacey (Making of the Mob, Influence) and is supported by the enigmatic vocal talent of Monica Blaze Leavitt (Remedy).
Cinematographer Yaniv Glaser created the clinical, dark and isolated atmosphere in harmony with the “hauntingly beautiful soundtrack” scored by Mars’ longtime collaborator, Steve Sholtes, with an additional music track by multi-awarded composer Olivier Schultheis.
PRESS & INTERVIEWS
WE ARE MOVING STORIES INTERVIEW > READ
EARTH STATION ONE – EPISODE 570 > LISTEN
“Disturbing.” “Powerful.”
“If we are not already on a path to this, this Film heeds as a bit of a warning.”
DAN’S MOVIE REPORT REVIEW > READ
“The Last Touch is dripping with allegorical ideas.”
“Hauntingly beautiful soundtrack.”
DAN’S MOVIE REPORT INTERVIEW > READ
Director Melissa Mars takes you with her behind the scenes…
MULDERVILLE REVIEW > READ
“The Last Touch is a captivating, thrilling, perfectly paced, five-minute short film that shows an inspired director’s work.”
BVS REVIEW > READ
“It made a very distinct point.”
LE CINEMA D’OLIVIER H. REVIEW + INTERVIEW > READ IN FRENCH
“a sci-fi tale (…) that asks questions and reflects on the future of our society,”
RENEGADES REVIEW > READ IN FRENCH
“A five minute short film that puts chills down your spine.”
DIRECTOR’S INTERVIEWS AT FESTIVALS
Check out Melissa Mars’ interviews at various festivals, where she shares anecdotes and stories about making The Last Touch.
- GSFF – LIVE INTERVIEW WITH MING > WATCH
- GARDEN STATE FILM FESTIVAL – INTERVIEW > WATCH
- UNRESTRICTED VIEW FILM FESTIVAL – INTERVIEW > WATCH
- L’HIFF – MEET THE DIRECTORS INTERVIEW > WATCH
- MIAMI SCIFI FILM FESTIVAL – INTERVIEW > WATCH
Stay tuned for more publications, interviews, screenings and festival announcements.
