Just A Scratch - Short Film

A gloomy night. A kitchen knife. A burdening regret. Noelle has always been naturally reserved; however, tonight feels different. When her older sister Dinah visits her home to discuss funeral plans for their younger sister, Noelle can’t help but bury her feelings deep inside her. Things take a turn quickly when Noelle receives a mysterious call… from her dead sister. As the night spirals into madness, Noelle begins to lose her grip on reality as she is forced to confront hard truths. Her fears are now manifesting into something real. Something disturbing. Something…unhuman.   

Josiah

Talofa! My name is Josiah, and I am the Director/Writer of Just A Scratch. I was eight years old when I watched Candyman for the first time. Instead of fear, I felt an unexpected connection, a spark that drew me into horror. From that moment on, I knew I wanted to create horror and thriller films rooted in deeply human experiences. Just A Scratch is a story I’ve been holding onto for a while, and now feels like the perfect time to bring it to life as our final-year passion project at AUT. At its heart, it’s about grief, guilt, and the search for closure in times of loss. It brings drama, horror, and the supernatural into a story designed to send tingles up your spine. My team and I are ready to make this a reality, but we can’t do it without your support. Every donation, no matter the size, helps us bring this film from script to screen. We’re beyond grateful for your contribution to making Just A Scratch a reality.

Maddy

Hi there! My name is Maddy, and I'm the Producer for Just A Scratch. I am grateful to be a part of this production, and I am looking forward to working with our talented Director/Writer, Josiah, as well as our creative cinematographer, Keona. This story is dark, moody, and deeply meaningful, and I can't wait to see it come to life on screen. As the producer, I am responsible for leading Just A Scratch to the finished product that my team is working on and anticipating. So that means all the logistics and financials, which include planning, scheduling, and budgeting. Thank you for all your support and donations! 

Keona

Hi! my name is Keona, and I am the cinematographer for the short film “Just a Scratch”. I’ve always been interested in the practical side of filmmaking and bringing creative visions and stories to life. Our film follows a woman traumatised and grieving the death of her sister and her encounters with a mysterious entity which blurs the lines of reality and the supernatural. The story touches on themes of guilt and trauma through the lens of a horror film. My team is hoping to realise our creative vision and bring it to life, but we can’t do it without your help. No matter how big or small, every donation will help us make this film a reality.

Follow @justascratchshortfilm_ on Instagram to follow along with our behind-the-scenes and production!

Kia Ora! 'Just A Scratch' is a short horror film created by three third-year AUT students in their final year of Screen Production. We are thrilled to bring this story to life and share it on the screen! But to do this, we need your help and support. By donating to our Boosted campaign, you will be contributing to:

-Transport for our cast

-Catering for cast and crew

-SFX and costumes

-Select equipment

-Festival entry fees

Any donation is hugely appreciated, and we are very grateful for your support!

For our final-year project at AUT, we are directing, producing and shooting our first industry-standard short film. We are creating this film as a passion project that we hope resonates with audiences alike. Just A Scratch is a psychological horror short film that touches on concepts of grief, PTSD, and taboo discussions of mental health within Polynesian communities. With this project, we not only hope to entertain audiences, but also open a discussion about grief and how we process this. 

Growing up in a family of strong Polynesian women, I have seen first-hand how grief can ripple through families, reshaping relationships and individuals alike. Just A Scratch explores these nuances through a personal lens that is culturally rooted, touching on a taboo conversation within our communities: how traumatic events can alter the way we connect within the vā (the space between people). I want this film to spark a talanoa in our Polynesian communities about the impact of PTSD, how we navigate grief, and the importance of allowing ourselves to be vulnerable, even when we carry duties and responsibilities. Told through a thrilling, evocative, and visceral lens, this story aims to resonate with our deepest human emotions while giving space for healing and dialogue. By backing this project, you’re helping us create not just a film, but a conversation that our Pacific communities deeply need.