Joshua Tree

Joshua tree is an award winning narrative short of the LA Independent Women Film Awards. On a weekend trip to the desert, Kira, a young woman burdened by social anxiety and feelings of alienation, finds it challenging to connect with a group of strangers. As night descends on their Airbnb, a mysterious presence begins to emerge, blurring the boundaries between paranoia and reality. In the vast solitude of Joshua Tree, friendships fracture, trust diminishes, and an unseen terror targets those who dismiss what they cannot comprehend. Joshua Tree combines psychological tension with cosmic horror, using the desert's silence and emptiness as both a reflection and a threat. The film is directed by Rachel Keaton.

Rachel Keaton, the youngest of five siblings, was born in Traverse City, Michigan. From a young age, she learned to navigate her surroundings by observing, studying, and eventually mimicking the people and stories she encountered. This curiosity inspired her to pursue acting in both theatre and film.

Her first short play, Both Sides Now, premiered with Theatre68 in Los Angeles and was later adapted into her directorial debut as a short film, now available for streaming on YouTube. After that project, Rachel directed her second film, Joshua Tree, a sci-fi/horror short set in the desert. Currently touring festivals, the film features strong visuals, a diverse cast, and complex character relationships.

Rachel recently completed producing her first short film "Before Midnight" and is in the process of casting for a romantic comedy television series, where she will direct several episodes. She continues to explore genres, storytelling, and character-driven narratives in both film and television.