Sasha, a rising star athlete with Olympic dreams, sees her future derailed after a brutal assault in college leaves invisible wounds that never fully heal. Years later, the pressures of work, marriage, and motherhood ignite a storm inside her that she can no longer control. As her manic episodes intensify, Sasha finds herself colliding with police stations, hospital wards, and a mental health system that repeatedly fails her.
Get to know the writers:
1. What is your screenplay about?
The Inside Fight centers on Sasha, a rising star athlete with Olympic dreams. Her future is derailed after a brutal assault in college leaves invisible wounds that never fully heal. Years later, the pressures of work, marriage, and motherhood ignite a storm inside her that she can no longer control. As her manic episodes intensify, Sasha finds herself colliding with police stations, hospital wards, and a mental health system that repeatedly fails her.
Her husband, Leon, and her devoted cousin, Bianca, fight desperately to reach the woman they love before she’s lost to the chaos consuming her life. But each attempt to help is met by a system that overlooks the safety, pain, and humanity of Black women.
Raw, intimate, and unflinchingly honest, this story exposes the fragility of the mind and the immense courage it takes to advocate for oneself when the world refuses to listen.
2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?
Drama, Psychological Thriller
3. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
Mental Health, especially in the black community, is rarely depicted realistically and respectfully in film.
4. How would you describe this script in two words?
Heroine misconstrued
5. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?
Niki: The Color Purple
Bernita: White Chicks
6. How long have you been working on this screenplay?
Niki: Two years
Bernita: Two years
7. How many stories have you written?
Niki: Five
Bernita: Three
8. What motivated you to write this screenplay?
Niki: This screenplay is based on challenges black women with mental issues face. Sharing the facets of black women’s lives is what I’ve dedicated my writing to. I was honored to take on this project to enlighten audiences and possibly help someone battling the aftermath of a traumatic experience and provide hope for those that love them.
Bernita: Mental health has affected my family for years. There are a few aunts and uncles that I personally know that deal with it. Having a mental health diagnosis is shunned upon in the black community. At-least it was when I was coming up, you’d be called crazy and labeled. Writing this story helped me in understanding what the mentally unstable endure.
9. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
Niki: Editing down to a cohesive story.
Bernita: Time, my partner stays focused all the time, and I have so many running parts in my life, it’s hectic. It got to a point where I sat down one day and wrote 50 pages and completed my portion.
10. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
Niki: Everything film production. I especially enjoy directing and working with actors to bring out their best performances.
Bernita: I am very passionate about youth. Giving them a fair chance at careers and education. A lot of youth are misunderstood. They just need someone to talk to and show that they care.
11. What influenced you to enter the festival?
We wanted objective feedback for our script.
What were your feelings about the initial feedback you received?
Niki: I was excited to receive feedback in a relatively short period of time. The feedback was comprehensive and we are applying the feedback to strengthen the script.
Bernita: I was elated to say the least. I felt like, finally, someone will see that I am talented too! I work in the shadows while everyone else shines. Now it’s my turn.
