Touch Wood
(Arlo Freeman, 2026)
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
Named after the old idiom used to avoid tempting fate, Touch Wood was inspired by the gradual disappearance of folklore from society, combined with current societal issues. In the thick of a revival in folk-horror cinema, we wanted to offer something new whilst providing our audience with an immersive experience. Filming at a historic druid worship site in Heysham, we felt connected to the history and folklore of the place, especially with one of our shooting days falling on Friday 13th, a weird twist of fate which only adds to the eerie atmosphere of the film. We hope that with this film, we can encourage our audience to bring its events to real life, posing the question: what is more unsettling, the unknown entity preying on Fred in the woods, or the events that put him there in the first place?
This film is produced as part of the Short Film Production module.
SYNOPSIS
Old friends Fred, Kate, Morgan and Alex decide to take a walk in an ancient woodland folklore enthusiast Alex is particularly interested in. Kate, still recovering from a broken arm, stays home and watches a documentary about the woodland’s druid history. Tensions rise on the walk, reaching a snapping point when Fred condescendingly brings up he and Morgan’s old relationship. Fred storms away from the heated argument. Unbeknownst to the trio, the woodland is inhabited by an ancient folkloric entity which is seemingly angered by Fred’s constant dismissal of folklore beliefs. With Fred separated from the group and now lost in the woods, the entity strikes, appearing as an uncanny version of Morgan. Whilst this is happening, Alex and the real Morgan return home to Kate, joking about Fred’s whereabouts. Tricked by the uncanny Morgan, Fred disappears into the woodland, never to be seen again…
CAST
Andreoni Guzzo
Morgan
Neill Maxwell Alex
Anastasia Symons Kate Frederick Winfield
Fred
Be Parrini Lima
Amy Cahillane Writer/Sound Recordist Arlo Freeman
Director Lauren Gillon
Producer Anya Monk Cinematographer/Music James Emeny
Editor/Sound Mixer Evie Mellor Production Designer Ambra Fernandez
Assistant Director Chenay Kamara
1st Camera Assistant Elijah Hubbard
Gaffer/2nd Camera Assistant Bella Taggart
1st Boom Operator Claudia Blackstone
1st Location Manager/2nd Boom Operator
Morgan
Fred
Be Parrini Lima
Director
Producer
Editor/Sound Mixer
Assistant Director
1st Camera Assistant
Gaffer/2nd Camera Assistant
1st Boom Operator
1st Location Manager/2nd Boom Operator
BTS
Arlo Freeman - Director
Amy Cahillane - Writer/Sound Recordist
Lauren Gillon - Producer
Anya Monk - Cinematographer/Music
James Emeny - Editor/Sound Mixer
Evie Mellor - Production Designer
Ambra Fernandez - Assistant Director
Chenay Kamara - 1st Camera Assistant
Elijah Hubbard - Gaffer/2nd Camera Assistant
Bella Taggart - 1st Boom Operator
Claudia Blackstone - 1st Location Manager/2nd Boom Operator