2024 Screenplay Award Finalists

Shiva Ramanathan discovered the magic of storytelling when an egg hit him squarely during his impromptu stage debut. While it wasn’t the ovation he dreamed of, it kickstarted an adventure even Indiana Jones would tip his hat to. From a graduate degree in Communication to community theater and video

Dwight A. Jolivette is an aspiring screenwriter who lives in Mesa, Arizona. He’s a retired Financial Advisor, which means he didn’t have much money to invest in the stock market but was able to convince others to invest theirs. Dwight has been writing in some form or another for as long as he can

Gilberto A. Rodríguez posee un bachillerato en Drama y Lenguas Modernas de la Universidad de Puerto Rico. Comienza a escribir en 1994 mientras trabajaba como asistente de producción en las telenovelas de la Cadena Telemundo. En 1995 estudia redacción de guiones en UCLA. En adición a Hugo, Paco, Luis

Alia Zeid was born and raised in the Bay Area as a member of Generation Z. Although she’s a first generation American, her parents expose her to their Spanish and Palestinian cultures so she is able to write from multiple points of view to develop worlds and protagonists in her scripts. Alia’s

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

The Black List Recommended, Coverfly Top 1%, affectionately called "Monty" by my friends, I love to create compelling dramatic thrillers that explore unknown worlds—honing my craft at NYU and Sundance Collab. Presently developing two pilots and a drama feature, I reside in New York with my family

CURRENT 2024 ACADEMY NICHOLL FELLOWSHIP NOMINEE: In the last 4 years, Austin's screenplays Car Heroin Train, Her Seventh Death, William the II, Taming Holden Caulfield, Diners & Devils, Who Let the Wallflowers Out? (2024 Nicholl Nominated), Maddie and Frannie, and Night With A Glorious Sun have

After meeting Robert, you realize he was raised right- right inside a movie theater. His childhood happy-place was escaping to the cinema and the magic that came alive on screen. After trying his hand on an independent film, he realized his greater passion was writing. He’s inspired by visual

Darryl Wimberley is a native Floridian, credited screenwriter and author of: Kaleidoscope, screenplay, Fade In Magazine’s Grand Prize Winner, 1988 A Tinker’s Damn, Foreword Review Award, Best Literary Novel, 2001 The King of Colored Town, The Willie Morris Award for Southern Fiction, 2007 Paul

Clark is a produced and optioned screenwriter with a focus on Sci-Fi, Dark Dramedy, and True Stories. Clark has successfully collaborated with Producers and other screenwriters on several projects. Most of his projects are grounded in themes of "the haves and the have-nots", classicism, and coming

When Ben Johnson met the union strategy of “Change through Conflict” it was love at first fight. Ben eloped with the union and became Treasurer and then President of AFT Vermont from 2007 - 2016. In an act of flagrant bigamy, he was also the youngest person ever elected to be President of a State

When Ben Johnson met the union strategy of “Change through Conflict” it was love at first fight. Ben eloped with the union and became Treasurer and then President of AFT Vermont from 2007 - 2016. In an act of flagrant bigamy, he was also the youngest person ever elected to be President of a State

After gaining a degree in Anthropology, Sophie went into television production directing her first documentary for Channel 4 when driving from London to Johannesburg. Having produced an INSET series for BBC Education, she set up wildlife films in Botswana and a BLUE PETER exploration of South Africa

The Black List Recommended, Coverfly Top 1%, affectionately called "Monty" by my friends, I love to create compelling dramatic thrillers that explore unknown worlds—honing my craft at NYU and Sundance Collab. Presently developing two pilots and a drama feature, I reside in New York with my family

My passion for writing has always been with me, stemming from writing and directing a school play at the tender age of 14. This enthusiasm resurfaced in 2020 when I finally found the time to be the creative I'd always wanted to be. My debut novel, Certified, was published in August 2021. It became

Vincent Veloso is an Asian Filipino-American martial artist (Kodokan judo, Tekken-ryu jujutsu, Nihon Goshin Aikido), trained salsa ballroom dancer & actor, model, multi-award winning: writer/producer/director, businessman & 17 instrument performing musician. Originally from New Jersey, he was

Breakfield is a 25+ year technology expert in security, networking, voice, and anything digital. He enjoys writing, studying World War II history, travel, and cultural exchanges. He’s also a fan of wine tastings, winemaking, Harley riding, cooking extravaganzas, and woodworking. Burkey is a 25+ year

Jenn Fonteyn was born in Los Angeles and grew up in the hills west of Denver. She holds a BS in Biology and an MS in Applied Natural Science. She is a Science Writer, Screenwriter, and horse enthusiast.

Stefan is a German national with an academic background in history and political science. He is a long time film critic at the Berlin Film Festival and an advertising professional with 20 years of experience in writing tv commercials. Stefan hates the actual process of writing but believes in the

Punk Rocker since 1982, published author in 2002, screenwriter since 2015. Specializing in historical scripts, he is an Academy Nicholl Quarter-Finalist, 17X Screenplay Finalist and 6X best screenplay winner in contests from France, Japan, Venezuela and the United States.

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

ERIC MURPHY Eric Murphy is a writer and actor who worked in Paris, London and New York before he, his wife, children and dog Otto now call Toronto home. Fluent in English and French, Eric worked as a commercial rep for a French designer while researching his MA thesis on French foreign policy

I began my career in musical theater in New York City, and have been a SAG/AFTRA, and Equity member since 1974. I have also been a member of the Directors Guild of America. Although I have both directed and produced TV pilots and films, writing has always been a personal passion. My focus in the

Chef, artist, grandson of a race car designer. He weaves an alternative history narrative in this maritime western pilot. Through captivating characters, he explores the interplay between tech, environment, and human connection, delving into gritty post-industrial realities. As their flora-powered

Chris Haigh is a comedian, writer and director from Manchester, England who, since moving to LA five years ago, has been mentored by writers of shows such as Everybody Loves Raymond, King Of Queens, and The Goldbergs and worked in production on a plethora of projects for TV and Film. His directorial

In my roles as a government coordinator and screenplay writer, I am passionately committed to creating real change for those suffering with substance abuse and mental health disorders. Through a blend of action, advocacy, and storytelling my work aims to educate on the nuances of treatment and

Growing up, Hannah Garfield fell in love with storytelling through forcing her brothers and neighbors to play roles in her made up games. She recently earned her MFA in Screenwriting from Boston University and relocated to LA.

Homeless is the author of five books, including the novel “This Hasn't Been a Very Magical Journey So Far” and the poetry collection “Shithead Laureate.” He’s been published by Hobart, House of Vlad and ExPat Press. He putters around NYC wondering whatever happened to predictability, the milkman

Drawing from a rich foundation in technical writing, Nick embarked on his literary odyssey by penning a comprehensive book on PHP software development. His creative journey unfolded further as he wrote/directed a video series on the intricacies of WordPress website configuration, but he discovered

Shelby Renjifo is a writer from Glen Cove, New York, currently based in Los Angeles. She graduated from Emerson College, where she began writing her first book, A Wasp at a Funeral. This self-published adult fiction has sold over 1,000 copies, attracting attention from literary platforms such as

Meshal's background in engineering and science heavily influences his true passion—writing. He enjoys exploring stories that take the human experience beyond the ordinary, blending emotionally resonant character journeys with unique, thought-provoking concepts. His screenplays offer a fresh

Keith lived and worked as a teacher in North Africa, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and North America, eventually settling in BC, Canada. His first novel, Drawn into Danger, is set in Algeria, and he used his experience there to write a fictional thriller. Inspired by working in Malaysia

Writing for me turned from a hobby to a love affair when I had an idea for a thriller/drama novel, and 4 years after that idea, I published that novel titled Retribution. I kept on writing and expanding my range of genres to include sci/fi, fantasy/adventure and of course a sequel to my novel.

From scoring 30 episodes of "America Now" to collaborating with platinum artists, from crafting intricate film scores to penning the expansive XOVA7 universe, Quanah's creative journey is as varied as it is impressive. Hailing from Orange County, New York, Quanah Jay Hicks is a true renaissance

Chef Joe Gatto is an author, private chef, and host of the hit cutting-edge cooking show, Joe Gatto’s From Scratch, currently airing on Pluto TV. His radio show From Scratch on NPR/ WBUR Radio Boston is a fan favorite. He is a renowned private Chef to A-list clients including Celtic and Red Sox

I began my career in musical theater in New York City, and have been a SAG/AFTRA, and Equity member since 1974. I have also been a member of the Directors Guild of America. Although I have both directed and produced TV pilots and films, writing has always been a personal passion. My focus in the

Alex is a writer & director. His stories often place characters in morally ambiguous situations that threaten their identity and force them to confront their humanity. Before being a writer and director, Alex had a career as a medical doctor. He worked in some of the world's most challenging

My love for writing began early, crafting plays for elementary school and suspenseful short stories. I graduated in Journalism, which honed my ability to write concisely and tell stories that resonate. In my screenplays, I strive to create engaging narratives with complex characters. I enjoy writing

My career has been a mix of technical work, military service, and media strategy. I started out installing surgical media equipment, but my path shifted when I spent 13 years in the Army, serving as both an infantryman and a public affairs officer. During that time, I developed a wide range of

Sharon’s accounting degree didn’t stop her creative side from emerging with her passion for writing and also venturing to opening a surf shop. Later, off-grid living in Baja, Mexico helped open her eyes even further to a colorful and diverse world. She’s an EP of BELLE filmed in Iceland and is

Thomas Rex is an independent director, writer and producer, currently based in the Kansas City area. He usually works behind the camera, but sometimes acts as well in local independent films. His portfolio is rapidly expanding as he contributes to larger and more industry-relevant films and

AB cum laude Harvard. Long career in advertising. Wrote a thriller published by a division of what is now HarperCollins. Wrote a dark humor non-fiction book, "The Top 10 As We ht Bottom," published in 2020 by Skyhorse. Co-wrote a novel, "The Academy of Smoke and Mirrors," published last year by The

Ross Schneiderman is a screenwriter and journalist who has worked on staff at The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Newsweek.

Larry graduated from NYU film school and since then has written several features and short films. His 10-minute thesis, FLASH, was an Official Selection of the Seattle International Film Festival and won an award for Special Artistic Value at the Festival du Cinema de Paris. Larry's greatest source

A Wisconsin based writer, I hold a B.A. in English Communications and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing (Screen & Stage) from Queens University-Charlotte. An award-winning screenwriter and playwright, I thoroughly enjoy the creative journey that unfolds between "FADE IN" and "FADE OUT." It is my hope to

Kelsey studied writing and literature at Loyola Marymount University and has since dabbled in various editorial-related positions. She currently works in localization.

Paul Vinsonhaler is an award winning film composer, producer, and director living in Memphis TN. Paul has spent the majority of his work for the past 13 years composing music for 15 independent short films along with features, documentaries, commercials, & animations. He has also directed 13 music

Matt Nicholson is a queer screenwriter based in LA. His portfolio of short scripts and hour-long pilots brings new twists to old myths and champions stories about family legacy. Matt has worked as a stage manager, researcher for "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire," and Editor-In-Chief of GeorgeTakei.com