: Driven by a lifelong dream, the inventor builds a device—the Echo Torch—that pierces the thin boundary between worlds. When he first tests it, he sees objects and people from the past as if they were still there.
: Toward the end, it is revealed that the inventor is searching for his parents. He discovers that his father, Jack Forth, was a soldier who died in the war, and the woman he finds is his mother. The film explores themes of memory, loss, and the possibility of happiness after death.
The story of the short film , directed by Chris Preksta, follows a late middle-aged inventor and photographer who creates a unique electrical torch that reveals a hidden world layered atop our own . This "otherworld" is filled with beautiful spirits, strange creatures, and dangerous phantoms that exist alongside the physical world but are typically invisible to the human eye. Key Plot Points
: As he ventures into abandoned buildings, the light reveals "echoes" of history, such as: A mechanical puppet that waves to him. A grand ballroom where spectral couples dance to old music. A world submerged in water where fish swim through the air.
: The inventor’s primary motivation is to find a woman from his past. He eventually encounters a female spirit who recognizes him, revealing a deeply personal connection.
The film is notable for being , relying on its visual effects, atmospheric sound design, and the lead actor's performance to tell its story. Watch: 'Echo Torch,' A Cinematic Short from Chris Preksta
Watch the full cinematic short film to see the inventor's journey through this hidden world: ECHO TORCH - A Cinematic Short Film mercurymenfilms YouTube• Oct 18, 2016