2024 Screenplay Award Finalists

Randall DeSoto wrote and was the assistant producer of the documentary film "I Want Your Money." He is the author of the book "We Hold These Truths," which addresses how leaders have appealed to beliefs found in the Declaration of Independence throughout U.S. history. He is a journalist who has been

Jeff Hindenach is an LGBTQ+, San Francisco-based writer and director who is known for the movies LOST INSIDE as well as the short ONE LAST TIME. He was originally born and raised in Dearborn Heights, Michigan. He also runs the production company West Hall Films, which many of his movies have been

Lotte Mullan is a writer and musician from Suffolk. She has five feature screenplays in development, one of which has been adapted into the show ‘Now That’s What I Call a Musical’, directed by Strictly Come Dancing's Craig Revel Horwood and touring now. ‘Diary of a Plain Jane’, a satirical blog

Hailing from the woods of North Carolina by way of the byzantine streets of New Orleans, Robert is a multi-award winning screenwriter specializing in mystery and suspense. His work has been optioned twice and has reached the finals of the Austin Film Festival, Slamdance, Bluecat and Page

Sal brings a jetsetter's suitcase full of experiences to his writing. He is the son of Sicilian immigrants, a U.S.A.F. Veteran in SATCOM and Aircraft Maintenance, a government contractor, drummer, and former restauranteur. Having seen the world through a traveler's eyes -- living it with the wonder

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

Mike Macke is a screenwriter who specializes in character-driven drama and comedy with heart. Through his writing Mike looks to entertain as well as inspire in a fashion that illuminates the power and goodness of the human spirit, excluding no one, inviting everyone along for the ride during our

Don’t be fooled by the name. Chad was never prom king or the high school quarterback. He was too busy watching Death Becomes Her for the millionth time. Earning an MFA in Screenwriting from Loyola Marymount University, Chad writes out-of-the-box comedic fare that ranges from the lighthearted to the

Randall DeSoto wrote and was the assistant producer of the documentary film "I Want Your Money." He is the author of the book "We Hold These Truths," which addresses how leaders have appealed to beliefs found in the Declaration of Independence throughout U.S. history. He is a journalist who has been

An investment banker by day and a screenwriter by night. A dad of two under two as the main job, though. I have a wife - I'm taken. If you’re wondering - yes, she wrote the bio, clearly she is better at it than I am, although I’m the one writing screenplays here. Mainly sci-fi.

Chris is a screenwriter and copywriter living in East London, and originally from rural Lincolnshire in the East of England. He has an MA in Screenwriting from London Film School, and is currently working on a number of sci-fi and comedy projects.

I have come to screenwriting after 25 years as a database professional. Writing fiction has always been something I have done for myself and my friends, but after writing my first feature script in 2018, I realized I'd found a format that works with the way I think. Since then, I have become

On the autism spectrum, 14 screenplays on The Red List, Austin Film Festival Semifinalist, 3x Austin Film Festival 2nd Rounder. I’m on the Blood List in Britain. 20-time finalist in Academy Award, BAFTA and Canadian Screen Awards qualifying events. I have 2 screenplays on The Short List. 500+ film

As an auteur filmmaker with his critically acclaimed, award-winning films successfully in distribution, Brent launched his career with original screenplays that circulated throughout top production companies and studios. During that time he sold two scripts, an adaptation of "The Hunchback of Notre

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

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

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

A proud Marine Corps Veteran, Reynaldo Leal deployed to Iraq with the 3rd Battalion 5th Marines to the Al Anbar Province in 2004 and 2006. There, he took part in some of the heaviest fighting during Operation Phantom Fury and was awarded the Bronze Star with "V" device for actions in Fallujah. After

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

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

Michael is an author of words. An eater of chips. And a father of two from Brooklyn, NY. He's been working in commercial film for over 15 years as a Creative Director. He's looking to take his passion for screenwriting to the world of film & TV with incisive stories about the absurdity of our modern

Barry Kienzle is a born and raised Kentuckian. He is an award-winning author, having written three novels, "The Crossings," "The Indian," and "A Whisper in the Wind." He has also co-written a memoir of Willie Burton, a high school wrestler with cerebral palsy, "Heart of a Lion," and an autobiography

Lisa Hickey is a television writer and screenwriter. She writes about issues of social justice that are woven into action-adventure stories featuring young female protagonists. ​ Growing up, Lisa often felt like an outsider among her peers because she would rather talk about political issues than

An Iowa dairy farm boy who luckily scored a masters degree from Stanford and has taken numerous classes at the University of Iowa Summer Writers Festival. Works and plays well with others. (Please note the website listed here is being updated and is currently unavailable.)

In storytelling, I blend diverse experiences with a passion for compelling narratives. I'm Bruno Timoteo, a screenwriter who infuses humor, action, and style into my scripts to entertain and captivate

Lindsay is a practicing internal medicine physician, recent recipient of an MFA in non-fiction creative writing, and developing storyteller. Her fiction work incorporates medical and bodily themes, with a strong dose of dark humor. And yes, it's all fictional (or she at least maintains plausible

Jamie Campbell thrives by finding ways to laugh in the midst of darkness. It’s a survival mechanism for a guy who is lucky to still be alive. When he was eleven years-old, he was kidnapped by one of his parents who took him on the run for six months before police caught up to them. As a teenager, he

Screenwriter, documentary filmmaker and author, Susan Marks sold her screenplay Dollhouse of Death (Nichol Top 50 Script) to HBO and Guillermo del Toro. She directed the documentary film, Of Dolls & Murder, starring legendary filmmaker and provocateur John Waters. Susan also wrote the book and made

Bri is a talented screenwriter currently working as an Assistant to a Producer at Life Out Loud Films. Aspiring to write for a comedy, Bri has gained significant recognition for their work. Her comedy pilot "Golden Oaks Nursing Home" ranked in the top 15% on Coverfly and was a quarterfinalist in the

UK based writer. My script's have placed in competitions and festivals. Fell in love with movies from an early age, with a strong appreciation, for all story telling.

Writer, Cinephile and Dreamer from the Midwest.

I am an architect who has loved films since young. I was interested in screenwriting for years, but never thought to actually write. In 2023, a chance encounter inspired me to finally put imagination onto "paper". One of my first short scripts, "Hope On An Envelope" was a finalist at the 2023 Austin

Mr. Clark is director of creative development for Futoura -- a new, advanced theme park concept based on the STEAM fields: Space, Science, Technology, Engineering, The Arts, and Mathematics. He has written three screenplays: Future's Past, Starfire and Crossover. STARFIRE is a compelling, heartfelt

Ernestina Juarez was born in a rural Texas town just north of the Rio Grande. She was the first Hispanic principal of Stephen F. Austin High School in Austin, Texas. Her screenplay on the Mexican American War, Labyrinth of Destiny, was a 2018 Academy Nicholl Finalist. Her script on the birth of the