2021 Screenplay Award Longlist

Jason is a writer and filmmaker best known for his short genre work, which has been awarded and screened around the world and featured in outlets from Short of the Week to The New York Times. In addition to his creative work, he is popular indie film advocate, called "a kind of indie prophet" by

Jon Plant was born in Sheffield in the North of England, spending much of his later life in and around London. He exhausted ambitions to be a pastor, teacher, lawyer, architect, journalist and marine-biologist before completing a master’s degree in chemistry. In his early twenties, Jon finally

Film has always been a passion for Karan dating back to growing up in his late Grandfather’s video shop. His Grandfather's love for film became his passion. Initially working with MADE from 2016; a charitable organization with an overall vision to contribute to reducing discrimination against BAME &

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

Emily is a NYC-based writer who loves a good story and is fascinated with the psychology and sociology behind why people do the things they do. She likes cats, drag, tacos and most importantly, TV.

Michael Lucid is an LGBTQ comedy writer for film and TV. He was a story developer for "Drunk History" on Comedy Central, and a sketch writer for the CBS Diversity Showcase. He also worked for 5 years as a comedic web series writer/producer for World of Wonder (producers of the Emmy-winning "RuPaul's

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

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

A Russian born living in the US, I am a data engineer by trade and have worked in tech for the last 10 years. I tend to focus on stories that echo the issues that I am facing personally.

SCOTCH WICHMANN is a writer/director, performance artist, comedian, hacker, and occultist in Los Angeles. Co-nominated for Best Comedy and Best Stunt at the Hollywood Fringe, Scotch attracted a swarm of press from CNN, NPR, and the NY Times after launching METH COFFEE, a cracked-out coffee brand

Matt graduated from Missouri State University with an MA in Professional Writing. In the summer of 2020, he was one of six writers selected for Debatable Production's Fellowship for Writers Under 25, where he workshopped his pilot for Good Lord with Dan Povenmire and Jeff "Swampy" Marsh. Most

Allie Jennings is a Los Angeles-based improviser, actress and writer. Before the pandemic she was a house performer and writer at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. In addition to being a two-time semi-finalist in ScreenCraft’s Comedy Pilot competition she also wrote the award-winning short film

Jason studied film at NYU, where his thesis film won 'Gold Prize' at the Student Academy Awards. He has written & directed award-winning feature films, which have shown at festivals around the world and have been theatrically released. His yet to be produced screenplays have received much industry

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

Ward Crockett is a writer/director and freelance film/video editor. His award-winning short films have screened at the Cleveland International Film Festival, Oceanside International Film Festival, H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival, and Macabre Faire Film Festival. His editing credits include the feature

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.

Melissa Tantaquidgeon Zobel (MOHEGAN) was trained in Mohegan traditional knowledge by Medicine Woman Gladys Tantaquidgeon (1899-2005). She currently serves her tribal nation in the traditional roles of Medicine Woman and Tribal Historian, in addition to her job as Creative Media Liaison

Born in Wisconsin, USA, to Spanish parents, raised between California and Spain, in Madrid I lived Spain’s transition to democracy, was a racetrack jockey, and obtained a Biology degree. At 23 I moved to Santa Cruz, California, and earned an M.S. in Marine Sciences. I worked for Fish and Wildlife

Born in Wisconsin, USA, to Spanish parents, raised between California and Spain, in Madrid I lived Spain’s transition to democracy, was a racetrack jockey, and obtained a Biology degree. At 23 I moved to Santa Cruz, California, and earned an M.S. in Marine Sciences. I worked for Fish and Wildlife

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.

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

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

Christian Delavie's writing credits include "Bleeding Horse" which won the Award of Merit at Accolade Global, and "Night Light" which won best foreign comedy horror at The International Horror Hotel. His other feature screenplays; "Sand Runner" and "Sons of Liberty" both reached finals and

Raised in LA, Madison spent her time acting, writing, and pretending to be a dinosaur. She now works as an erotic romance writer, a fun way to stun people into silence at parties. In her scripts she showcases diversity in all its forms, fueled by the experiences of both herself and others. She