2021 Screenplay Award Longlist

Nick’s writing journey was unusual. Invited onto the set of a high profile TV show, he witnessed the power of storytelling and was completely hooked. Nobody was more surprised by this than him, and in the last two years he has written a novel (placed 2nd in a national competition), a short story

Originally an influential epistemologist, Sandy spent three years working with survivors of domestic abuse, and learned how valuable storytelling can be in helping people to understand complex emotional issues. He wrote a short film campaign for the charity Women's Aid, and became a professional

The mother of five children, Peggy and her husband served over 25 years as a therapeutic treatment foster home (lots of stories) and then adopted their last four foster children. "Under 'S' for Sucker" is based on one of those stories. Peggy is a peace activist, ran for state and federal political

Why do I write? "What good is love if it is not shared?" (from "This Bitter Earth" by Dinah Washington) Writing - like love - is nothing if it is not shared. Even the most private diary has an audience - an other to whom it is addressed. To write is to make words flesh, to take them out of the realm

D. Dalton is an award-winning novelist and an optioned screenwriter, who has a passion for historical fiction placed in the real world. She also hosts the podcast Dark Kingdom Arts, which is a fun adventure into how-to-write and the pitfalls that popular movies, books, and TV shows often make.

Christianne is an attorney in Houston, Texas. She enjoys words, happy hour, cheese, cars, and Longhorn football. Currently, she lives with her husband and their cat Batman; soon they will be adding a Great Pyrenees puppy to the family.

Nick wrote his first screenplay over 20 years ago using Syd Field's book as a reference and it won 2nd Place Runner-up at the Austin Film Festive. He didn’t write another until he retired from the construction business five years ago and got a Master Screenwriter Certificate after attending

I'm a journalist and editor whose work has regularly appeared in top international publications, including the New York Times, FT, Sunday Times and Wall Street Journal. I have a degree in literature and film. Naturally terrified of risk but always on the hunt for a good story, I've trekked in Tierra

I'm a journalist and editor whose work has regularly appeared in top international publications, including the New York Times, FT, Sunday Times and Wall Street Journal. I have a degree in literature and film. Naturally terrified of risk but always on the hunt for a good story, I've trekked in Tierra

Norman Whaler is a multi-award winner from Grosse Pointe, MI, USA. With over 120 awards for his children's books, Norman focuses on positive messages, some on serious topics and some that are just about fun. He is a member of SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators), IAN, and IBPA

Brian Morrow has been writing and performing sketch comedy, improv, and stand up in Chicago for over a decade. He graduated from Conservatory and Musical Conservatory programs at Second City, Chicago, as well as the University of Oklahoma with BFA’s in Acting and Stage Management.

PRIZE-WINNING AUTHOR LISE PEARLMAN is a former trial lawyer and judge and nationally recognized speaker whose books have won multiple awards in the categories of law, U.S. History, multicultural nonfiction and social change. Her latest book is The Lindbergh Kidnapping Suspect No. 1 -- The Man Who

James Alexander has always had a deep fascination with science fiction and fantasy. As an avid fan of all things extra-terrestrial, he’s passionate about crafting unique and thrilling stories that bring the universe and its mysterious inhabitants to life. In his spare time, James enjoys exploring

(From my website: http://theshakespeareplays.com/) Martin Keady is an award-winning dramatist, journalist, poet and lyricist. As a dramatist, his major credits include: Man of Colour, a biopic of Walter Tull, one of Britain’s first black professional footballers who subsequently became a hero of WWI

Born and bred in Walsall in the West Midlands, I moved to London in my early 20s with very little to my name. Spending over a decade in the city, in a dramatically different socio-economic environment, had a lasting effect on my writing. Much of my work has a 'fish out of water feel' to it. The

Simon Frederick (the other one) I work in feature film/TV production/development, and a writer of film, TV and content. Aiming for the writer/director/producer triptych, but mostly focussed on screenwriting. I moved to London in 2015 after realising my master's in Biomechanics was more likely to be

On a website on the internet there lived a Joe. Not a hot, caffeinated Joe, splashed with cream and a roasty smell, nor yet a cotton-eyed Joe with over-played lyrics and a catchy beat: it was a writer Joe, and that means humor. Or something. Joe Heath writes, directs, films, produces, and acts in

Studied at AFTRS (Australian Film, Television and Radio School), Sydney, NSW. Currently writing a sequel to my biopic feature The Split, entitled The Reunion. I have dual nationality, born and raised in London, UK, moved to Australia over 25 years ago, where I have lived in Adelaide, South Australia

Helena P. Schrader is an established aviation author and expert on the Second World War. She earned a PhD in History (cum Laude) from the University of Hamburg with a ground-breaking dissertation on a leading member of the German Resistance to Hitler, which received widespread praise on publication

Penny Berlin has had a varied life. She worked for the famous Molton Brown hair salon in London’s West End. With this rich experience under her belt she eventually worked on Holland America Cruise ships, visiting The United States, Bermuda, Caribbean, Mexico and Canada. Later spending 30 years in

Following her gifts and talents, Leonia found the meaning to her life by helping others when she became a teacher, lawyer, judge and motivational speaker while holding on to her core values of respect, humanity and justice in the face of racism and sexism. Laying the necessary groundwork, she earned

Michael Golvach is a multiple-award-winning novelist from Grayslake, IL. He doesn't believe in single-layered genres - though every story is a romance of some sort - and has written many titles that run the gamut from character studies to full-on hard-boiled crime fiction. He spends his non

Nava R. Silton, Ph.D., a Developmental Psychologist, received her B.S. from Cornell University in 2002 and her M.A. and Ph.D. from Fordham University in 2009. Silton has worked at Nickelodeon, Sesame Workshop, and Mediakidz, and has consulted for Netflix, Blue’s Clues & You and The Autism Seaver

My BS in Journalism and MA in Communications degrees inspired me to become a pioneer in electronic publishing. As a McGraw-Hill editor, I developed one of the first computer publishing systems. In the rapidly developing PC software industry, I co-authored one of his two books using PC desktop

Dan writes from extensive life experience (life-threatening adventures: military, love, spiritual, bear attacks and more) as well as disciplined and broad academic and language training. Dan graduated from Virginia Military Institute (1981), third among Economics majors, simultaneously completing

Dan writes from extensive life experience (life-threatening adventures: military, love, spiritual, bear attacks and more) as well as disciplined and broad academic and language training. Dan graduated from Virginia Military Institute (1981), third among Economics majors, simultaneously completing

I wrote my first book when I was six years old about a fat cat named Stephanie who wandered around the city looking for her family, and I never looked back. As a writer, my goal is to continually move forward, learning from my past self, as well as others, in an effort to become the best I can at my

Craig Moody was born and raised in Pembroke Pines, Florida, a suburban community that edges the beautiful Florida Everglades. Author of the multi-indie-award-winning debut novel The ’49 Indian and multi-indie-award-nominated and winning follow-ups His Name Was Ezra, The Stars of Locust Ridge, and

Craig Moody was born and raised in Pembroke Pines, Florida, a suburban community that edges the beautiful Florida Everglades. Author of the multi-indie-award-winning debut novel The ’49 Indian and multi-indie-award-nominated and winning follow-ups His Name Was Ezra, The Stars of Locust Ridge, and

Peter Gajdics is an award-winning writer whose essays, short memoir and poetry have appeared in Huffington Post (Canada), Maclean’s, The Advocate, New York Tyrant, The Gay and Lesbian Review / Worldwide, Gay Times, Manhattan Book Review, and Brevity, among others. He is a recipient of several

I was born and raised in south east London (Camberwell and Peckham). At age twenty-one I joined the Metropolitan Police where I served for twenty years in numerous high profile squads before being pensioned out with a serious back injury. Blessed with a complete lack of DIY skills I could now

I have a veterinary degree and PhD from Cambridge, and spent twenty years in Kenya researching a disease of cattle and wildlife which no one outside Africa has ever heard of. I travelled throughout the region and worked closely with international and local scientists as well as the diplomatic

Michele E. Gwynn is an award-winning Bestselling Author and former freelance journalist from San Antonio, Texas. She has worked in newspaper and contributed online to sites like Examiner.com, Yahoo Voices, and Salon.com. She has also worked as a senior editor for FashionErotica.com, written for Film

Following a twenty-three-year career in Arts Theatre Management, Steve retrained with the Yorkshire Academy of Film and Television Acting (YAFTA) and gained a Diploma in Applied Screenwriting (Distinction) in July 2019, under the tutelage of Simon Stirling. Steve has already received commissions for

Bestselling author Barbara Claypole White was born in rural England, but writes and gardens in the forests of North Carolina. Her passion for chipping away at stereotypes of mental illness inspires quirky stories about courageous characters with invisible disabilities, complicated relationships, and

Hi! I wrote THE DARKNESS after a confrontation with the serial rapist who raped me. I showed up at the county jail where he was being held after my case ended in a mistrial. After continued frustrations of waiting for the legal system to bring justice, I went to the jail, where he was held (parole

Jayne Doxtater was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba and currently resides in the West Kootenay region of British Columbia, Canada. A business owner and esthetician of 40 years, she is now semi-retired and loves spending time outdoors. A self-proclaimed tree hugger and chocolate lover, Jayne is

Since attaining my MA in Play and Screenwriting – graduating from City, University of London, in 2014 – I have had three plays successfully produced in London, commissioned and directed by Martin Parr, known for producing work in unconventional spaces. Consequently, with a produced two-hander, one

Growing up on a hazardous waste site that’s home to the Mothman legend was a lot for Michael to take in. Stories of outsiders caught between real and imagined horrors are now his sweet spot. He has earned accolades from Academy Award qualifying festivals such as Cinequest, HollyShorts, Austin Film

Stowe Story Labs alumna. Writer/director of an award-winning short THE ZAHIR. Trilingual multi-ethnic multinational. Mathematician whose journey led from humble beginnings in the Urals to professorships in Berkeley and Berlin. Olga's writing explores follies of genius, elusiveness of belonging, and

Robbie Robertson is a playwright, screenwriter and graduate of the University of South Carolina and UCLA’s professional screenwriting program. Robertson’s first comedy, MINA TONIGHT! was published by Samuel French and has been produced in regional theatres across the US. His most recent play, a

A diagnosed schizophrenic and Page Turner Long-Listed. I write social impact films which represent my limitations being a disabled writer to shine a light on under-represented voices. Signed to a Management company in Central London with various projects in various stages of development.

I'm a musician by day, writer by night, originally from High Wycombe - which genuinely has a chair museum - but now living a seagull poop-spattered existence in Plymouth, Devon. I began pursuing screen/comedy writing in 2015, starting off writing jokes and sketches for radio, before moving on to

Joseph Black grew up in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. After hearing his accent, people frequently accuse him of lying about this. He assures those that do that this is the truth, citing that: 1. A childhood filled with movies, TV, video games, audiobooks, and podcasts led to him never developing all

Steve Blame lives in Germany. He explored his sexual identity during the rampant homophobia in Britain of the '80s, going from denial to acceptance to the fight against bigotry as his generation's only 'out' TV host. Today, having experienced the up and downsides of fame, Steve continues his

Aspiring writer/director based in Ireland. I've written and directed numerous shorts, the most recent of which, Hunger, has been selected in festivals around the world winning numerous awards in the process. I hold a first class Honours degree in film production and have three years industry

Growing up on a hazardous waste site that’s home to the Mothman legend was a lot for Michael to take in. Stories of outsiders caught between real and imagined horrors are now his sweet spot. He has earned accolades from Academy Award qualifying festivals such as Cinequest, HollyShorts, Austin Film

Born in a small village in India, I came here at a young age. I have a unique perspective on the human condition through my passion for writing and as a medical doctor. My dream is to produce a tv series for a global audience and am always striving to improve my craft. I’ve written a produced film

Alex Balassa is an Award-winning content creator/producer/director with 25+ years of experience in the entertainment industry. Well-versed in all aspects of international film and television production. Highly- skilled team leader who contributed to hundreds of projects, specializing in Latin

I am an Irish LGBT author/screenwriter and full-time development assistant with over 7 years experience in the film and TV industry. I live for writing genre; mainly psychological thrillers, metaphorical horror, and grounded sc-fi, but am also drawn to comedy and gritty kitchen sink drama. Ryan