The Reach

Synopsis

Based on a short story by Stephen King. Featuring the song "Moonlight Motel" by Bruce Springsteen. Winner of Best Foreign Short Film at the 17th Burbank International Film Festival and Best International Short at the 32nd Sedona International Film Festival. On Goat Island, elderly Stella Flanders must confront her past and the Reach that separates the isle from the mainland, in a journey between memories and love that transcends the boundaries of life. Stella Flanders is the oldest woman on Goat Island. Throughout her life, she has never crossed the Reach that separates the isle from the mainland. She has spent her entire existence in that small, close-knit community that is almost as welcoming as a family and in which she has always had everything she needed. But as a freezing winter descends upon the island, Stella begins to see visions of those she once loved, calling her toward the Reach. Perhaps the time has come for her to embark on that journey she never wished to take...

Director

Luca Caserta

Luca Caserta graduated in Directing and Screenwriting from the Cinecittà Film Academy in Rome, where he trained under the renowned Neorealism master Carlo Lizzani and other prominent figures of Italian cinema, including Giuseppe Pinori, Oscar-nominee Giacomo Scarpelli and David di Donatello winner Francesco Ranieri Martinotti. He further specialized in Cinematography at the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia (National Film School) in Rome under the guidance of David di Donatello winner Giuseppe Lanci. During his career, he has collaborated with illustrious international and Italian figures, including Stephen King, Bruce Springsteen, and Luciano Ligabue. After writing and directing several plays and receiving prestigious accolades (such as the "Premio Calcante" awarded by the SIAD – Italian Society of Dramatic Authors), he has dedicated himself to filmmaking and audiovisual production for many years. His films have been presented at numerous international festivals, including the Cannes Film Festival, Burbank International Film Festival, Sedona International Film Festival, Flickers' Rhode Island International Film Festival (Oscar-qualifying), Carmarthen Bay Film Festival (BAFTA-qualifying), and the San Diego International Film Festival (Canadian Screen Award-qualifying). He wrote and directed the short film "Inside the Mirror." The film's editing was supervised by Ugo De Rossi, editor for legendary directors such as Fellini, Pasolini, Bertolucci, Petri, and Rosi. This film, along with the subsequent "Out of the Depths" and "The Other Side of the Moon," forms part of a trilogy exploring the theme of the "double" and the hidden depths of the human soul. His documentary work includes "The Canvas Forge," an experimental piece investigating the birth of a painting and the artisanal techniques behind it. His acclaimed short film "Tell Me Who I Am" has won 181 awards worldwide, including the Award of Excellence for Direction at the Best Shorts Competition (USA). The film explores profound and timely themes such as memory, violence against women, and the search for one's own lost identity and dignity. The soundtrack features the song "Piccola stella senza cielo" by Italian rock star Luciano Ligabue. Luca Caserta was presented with the Città di Verona Award by the Mayor of Verona, and he received the Citizen of the Year Award for the artistic and cultural merits achieved internationally with "Tell Me Who I Am." His short film "The Reach" is the official adaptation of the short story by Stephen King. It features "Moonlight Motel" by Bruce Springsteen, courtesy of the great American singer-songwriter and Sony Music. The film received King's personal blessing, as he described it as "a lovely piece of work" after viewing it in a personal message sent to the director. It received enthusiastic and prestigious international reviews on "The Bedlam Files" by Adam Groves and on "Rue Morgue" by Jamie Zaccaria, who described the film as "spectacular." The world premiere took place in the UK at the Carmarthen Bay Film Festival (BAFTA-Qualifying). "The Reach" garnered more than 60 accolades to date, including the Best Live Action at the 59th Balticon Film Festival (USA), the Best Foreign Short Film at the 17th Burbank International Film Festival (USA), and the Best International Short at the 32nd Sedona International Film Festival (USA). It has been officially selected and screened at KingCon 2026 in Atlantic City (USA). His work is characterized by its exploration of different genres, styles and themes – from comedy, to social commitment and human rights to the investigation of the most obscure aspects of the human psyche and the supernatural – highlighting a remarkable artistic versatility. Most of his short films are available on YouTube, Vimeo and Prime Video. He's a member of ANAC (National Association of Film Authors), of SIAD (Italian Society of Dramatic Authors) and SIAE (Italian Society of Authors and Editors). He's a juror for the Sunset Film Festival (Los Angeles), served as curator for the Short Film Section at Schermi d'Amore Film Festival (Italy), and is an Honorary Full Board Member of IFFA (Independent Film Festival Association).