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001 — Synopsis
A rite of passage written on the skin.
Punkture follows a young woman at the threshold of adulthood, carrying the quiet wounds of her generation into a landscape that is half desert, half dream. Guided by a warrior who has walked the path before her, she learns that pain is not something to be escaped but a doorway to be entered — that to puncture the surface is to let something true break through.
Shot across the sun-scorched high desert and the studios of Los Angeles, the film turns the language of body piercing into ritual: an unflinching meditation on transformation, endurance, and the search for meaning in a world that numbs before it feels.
Pain & passage,
etched into one body.
002 — Principal Cast
The Faces of Punkture
Warrior
Jay Tavare
Jay
Jay Irwin
003 — Stills
The Film in Frames
Frame 01
The vision.
Frame 02
Before the needle.
Frame 03
The artist.
Frame 04
First puncture.
Frame 05
The lacing.
Frame 06
Bound in ribbon.
Frame 07
The offering.
Frame 08
The warrior dreams.
Frame 09
Golden hour.
Frame 10
The desert remembers.
Frame 11
The long road.
Frame 12
Coming home.
Full Credits
Cast & Crew
Written & Directed byJoshua Michael Shelton
Additional Cast
Krystle Mollie — Piercing Client
Caroline Kelley — Corset Piercing Client
Jules Kolovos — Jules
Olya Anikina — Bartender
Produced byGunnen Productions LLC
ProducersJay TavareJay Irwin
Executive ProducerMark G. Chapman
1st Assistant DirectorCam Broule
Line ProducerCam Broule
Production AssistantTodd Edwards
Director of PhotographyJordan JohnsonNick Price
Camera OperatorJon Ying
EditorMichael Stratigakis
Costume DesignerNatasha Process
Makeup & HairRachelle FrostMelissa C. Tolentino
Production Sound MixerMichael Beliveau
Re-Recording MixerLuke Murray
ColoristTim Joseph
BTS PhotographerRich Royal
Foley ArtistGeordy Sincavage
Wardrobe StylistOlya Anikina
Music
“The Darkest Day”Jimmy Svensson · courtesy of Artlist.io
“Exploit”Jimmy Svensson · courtesy of Artlist.io
“Without Escape”Jimmy Svensson · courtesy of Artlist.io
“Pursuit Predation”Lance Conrad · courtesy of Artlist.io
“Bad Connection”Jimmy Svensson · courtesy of Artlist.io
“Timeless” (instrumental)Messwave · courtesy of Artlist.io
Locations & Thanks
LocationsAllan Natvidad DizonHeadshots LA StudiosLos Angeles, California
Special ThanksMarshall Woodruff · John BowersFur Dixon · Lonnie Joe SugarmanThe Sweet Kill
004 — About the Film
Frequently Asked
What is Punkture about?
Punkture is a 2025 dramatic short film that reframes body piercing as a modern rite of passage. It follows a young woman confronting the wounds of her generation, using the imagery of piercing and the high desert to explore pain, transformation, and awakening.
Who directed Punkture?
Punkture was written and directed by Los Angeles filmmaker Joshua Michael Shelton and produced by Gunnen Productions LLC.
Who stars in Punkture?
The film stars Jay Tavare as the Warrior and Jay Irwin as Jay, with additional cast including Krystle Mollie, Caroline Kelley, Jules Kolovos, and Olya Anikina.
Where was Punkture filmed?
Punkture was filmed in Los Angeles, California, including sequences shot in the high desert and at Headshots LA Studios.
When was Punkture released?
Punkture was completed in 2025.
How can I watch Punkture?
Punkture is currently screening on the festival circuit. For screening, press, and festival inquiries, contact Gunnen Productions using the details below.
005 — Screenings & Press
Bring Punkture to your screen
Now on the festival circuit. For festival programming, press, and private screening inquiries, reach out to the production.