Facing death due to different illnesses, three patients find themselves playing a made up game called The Mortality Game to experience life one last time risking it all.

Get to know the writer:

1. What is your screenplay about?
It’s about 116 pages! Sorry, I just had to get one “Dad Joke” in, even though I’m NOT a Dad (that I know of). “The Mortality Game’ is in essence a story of life as seen through the lens of impending death. It’s about how we as humans face the “final act” of the stage play of our lives. In the case of my three headed lead: Schubert, Halada and Tugger face it in their own differing, yet quirky ways. Ultimately deciding to take a final road trip across the country while playing a game where they do dangerous things to challenge and defy death, since they have nothing to lose.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?
Character Driven Dramedy for the most part, as it has elements of Comedy and Drama, with a bit of Coming of Age mixed in for good measure.

3. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
Because the characters are as diverse in age and attitude as they are strong in development and memorability. Because the story, about how we face death is an important one to tell, since that is a situation that none of us can avoid. Because it explores letting go as well as fighting back, finding the joy in the dreaded, and allowing yourself to feel what you feel facing the end, whether it’s understandable or not, expected or not, appropriate or not.

4. How would you describe this script in two words?
Fun Profundity.

5. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?
As an old Trekkie from way back, amazingly enough: “Galaxy Quest” the idea of this team of sci-fi actors thrust into a “real life” intergalactic war is just too deliciously fun to not always stop to watch it on TV no matter what part the film is at when you click to it. And because I’ve done that often with this film, that’s why I think it’s the film I’ve watched the most.

6. How long have you been working on this screenplay?
I finished the first draft of this screenplay (only the second screenplay I had written to that point) in November of 2011. Since then it has gone through many revisions and rewrites, to where it has evolved into the screenplay it is now.

7. How many stories have you written?
That would be hard to estimate, as you said stories, so, including stage plays (I started off my writing life as a playwright back in 1997), screenplays (both full length and short), TV Pilots (30 and 60 minute types), short stories, and most recently a novel… I’d say I’m up near the 100 range.

8. What motivated you to write this screenplay?
I thought of something we all must face, and how the real variation of our souls is in how we face it. I thought: what is more universal than the concept of death, and how I, as a writer, can turn that concept on its ear and make it less scary, depressing and sad and more of a triumph of the spirit.

9. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
The idea of letting a main character actually face death while having the others face survival. In every character driven dramedy you have to balance a satisfying ending for the audience with the right arc and culmination of each character. And here, since I had fallen deeply in love with each member of my protagonist triumvirate, it was hard to decide exactly how to end it.

10. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
Acting, filmmaking, and discovering little known gems in the Indie films out there that make you feel, but mostly make you think.

11. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?
I have entered “The Mortality Game” in a great many film contests and festivals over the years, and it has won upwards of 50 Awards over that time. Yours was one I had won at before (with a TV Pilot: “Psi-Com 5” years ago), but hadn’t entered lately, so I figured I’d take a chance to see how one of my favorite full length screenplays would do up against what I’m sure was a very strong field of excellent writers and concepts. As for the initial feedback, I found a couple of the ideas most useful, and stimulating insofar as possible tweaks to the script goes. Although one, turning my 12 year old character of Tugger into an older teen (like 15-ish), I’ve heard before and have rejected before due to the idea that I wanted to present three characters at different intervals in the their lives, and the idea of Tugger, a kid not yet having had a real chance at life, was very necessary to me. Also with Halada being a 19 year old, having Tugger as anything but a child seemed redundant to me.

Sci-Fi/Political/Action – A popular President’s re-election campaign is beset by a relentless, brutal Assassin with whom he shares a dark, shocking history.

Get to know the writer:

1. What is your screenplay about?

The fundamental story of Justice and the Machine is about one of the most popular presidents in US History, William B. Justice, becoming the target of a brutal assassin during his run for re-election. Calling himself “the Machine”, the assassin unpredictably succeeds in killing the President’s innermost cabinet. His loyal wife gets kidnapped by the Machine, and he soon reveals that he has a secret history with her husband that goes beyond anything she understood to be reality.

Much to her disbelief, she comes to accept the truth that her husband, the President of the United States, is an alien from another planet with murderous intentions to conquer the planet. The Machine is, in fact, his sworn enemy, and whenever they meet, they are obligated to duel to the death.

So, on its surface, there’s a lot of fun action and sci-fi sort of genre bending elements, but at its core is a story of deception and betrayal and the discovery that completely changes one woman’s world view.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

I used to enjoy calling it: My Sci-Fi/Political/Action/Thriller – so, depending on which page you turn, it’s one or more of those.

3. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

Are you freaking kidding me!? This is a franchise starter baby, come on! I’ve got the sequel and a follow up if they wanna go for three – I know how to meet a deadline, let’s write up that deal!

4. How would you describe this script in two words?

Crazy Politics

5. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?

Probably LotR: Fellowship, because I would put it on at work in the evenings to have something running on the monitors. But if you want to talk about movies I watched, scrutinized, analyzed, it would have to be the first Star Wars or Team America. I drove a girlfriend of mine nuts with Team America being on a loop, but I was fascinated with how well constructed the whole thing was – truly brilliant. It’ll never happen again.

6. How long have you been working on this screenplay?

From initial concept to this draft was about three years of writing and revisions spread out over maybe five years in total. I find it helps to work on multiple projects simultaneously so I don’t get too buried in one project & can come back to things often with adjusted perspectives.

7. How many stories have you written?

Lots. From little stories and comic books as a young boy through most of high school, where I also wrote wonderfully terrible poetry, up to my first screenplay in college. Also terrible. But I learned a lot and it became my first feature movie: Maxwell’s Frontline. I have a 6 feature screenplays available for production and about as many projects in various stages of development ready for presentation/consideration.

8. What motivated you to write this screenplay?

I was interested in the idea of blending different conspiracy theories which basically came down to the question: if there were aliens, why would they bother to negotiate when they could just take over? And if they did take over, how would they do that? And then I thought of a more proactive style Manchurian candidate kind of approach, but I love action and had to have some solid stage combat and explosions in there as well.

9. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?

I genuinely thought my first draft was good. I thought I was really on to something and it was clear how cool this whole thing would be – obvious to anybody who made it through the introduction. So few made it through the introduction. But one man, bless him, one man decided to plow through that murdered forest, using his fury to fuel the journey. When he was finished, he had eviscerated nearly every paragraph on every page – the dialogue, the structure, the plot reveals – all trash.

And thank god I had someone to kick my legs out from under me and rub my nose in my own pretenses long before I dared show my work to anybody that might employ me. It reshaped my entire approach to screenwriting and now I’m winning awards. Funny thing is, I don’t think he ever read the final draft.

10. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

I love everything about making movies. I trained on both sides of the camera and now I try to scrounge for work wherever I can find it.

11. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?

Well, I call Justice and the Machine my Sci-Fi/Political/Action/Thriller, and your fest is called: Action/Fantasy/Sci-Fi/Thriller Festival – I thought I had a pretty good shot at it. I was pleasantly surprised & delighted by the feedback, and have been eagerly awaiting the update. Thank you for the detailed coverage, I was glad to see someone had actually read my work & enjoyed it.

1. What is your screenplay about?
HUMDRUM is an exploration of complex family dynamics, particularly the strained relationships between Gloria and her daughters Esther and Lily. On the surface, the film is about Gloria, a widow who suffers from tinnitus. As Gloria’s tinnitus worsens, her daughters’ lives start to fall apart. While Lily keeps her distance, losing herself in suburban motherhood and marital woes, Esther bears the weight of their mother’s deteriorating condition, while also coming to grips with her own desires and struggles. Desperate for relief from Gloria’s relentless criticism and manipulation, Lily and Esther turn to an experimental treatment that promises salvation. But as Gloria’s behaviour becomes more disturbing post-treatment, the lines between care and control, reality and delusion, start to blur.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?
HUMDRUM falls under Psychological Horror, Body horror and Family Drama genres.

3. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
HUMDRUM’s exploration of psychological horror rooted in familial trauma feels especially relevant in today’s genre climate, where audiences increasingly seek horror that provides both visceral scares and emotional depth. I haven’t seen tinnitus used as a catalyst in this way before in a film; this excites me, as it offers a unique perspective on the genre. The film’s focus on women’s experiences also speaks directly to contemporary conversations about women, mental health, and family dynamics, which I am passionate about showcasing in a film.

4. How would you describe this script in two words?
HAUNTING and VISCERAL.

5. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?
Wow, I had to think this one through. I would say either Dirty Dancing or The Breakfast Club.

6. How long have you been working on this screenplay?
It’s been about 1 year. I wrote the first draft in August 2024.

7. How many stories have you written?
I’ve written 4 short films, and HUMDRUM is my first feature. Before that, I wrote several short stories (back in my early teens).

8. What motivated you to write this screenplay?
I was motivated to write HUMDRUM because of my personal experience watching my mother struggle with tinnitus that worsened significantly after my father’s death. Witnessing how grief can transform into physical torment compelled me to explore this story. I was also motivated by the possibility that audiences might recognize their own struggles with aging parents, family guilt, or the search for meaning during a crisis, and that the story could spark meaningful conversations about grief, faith, coping, generational trauma, and how we care for one another.

9. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
Is it ever really finished? I’m still working on a draft! So I guess I would say, knowing when to leave it be, to truly accept that it’s a completed piece of work, is the biggest obstacle.

10. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
The ultimate goal for me is to direct feature films. I’ve directed a few short films, but I really want to get on more film sets as a second AD, get my feet wet, pay my dues, and possibly shadow a director. Watching movies is my ultimate passion. I could do that every day – and almost do!

11. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?
I loved that the festival was geared toward female talent and female stories. I was also very intrigued by the idea of having a scene from my script performed–that’s such a great opportunity for new writers to hear their work out loud, read by professionals.

Get to know writer Darryl Mansel:

1. What is your screenplay about?
Once Upon a Time in Space is about perseverance and struggle. It asks the question ‘how far are you willing to go to obtain something that you need?’

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?
Science fiction, action, adventure

3. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
It should be made into a movie because adventure is sorely lacking these days. Plenty of action, very little adventure. The audience wants to go on a ride with characters, this will give them the means to do so while having the choice of which character they ultimately want to succeed.

4. How would you describe this script in two words?
WILD BUSINESS.

5. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope

6. How long have you been working on this screenplay?
2.5 years

7. How many stories have you written?
4

8. What motivated you to write this screenplay?
No one else was going to get the story out of my head

9. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
The biggest obstacle was the opening. Every iteration didn’t have a strong enough opening until this one.

10. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
Comic books, movies, social justice

11. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?
I saw a festival; I entered. The feedback I received was immensely helpful to ensuring I have the best possible script.

Get to know the writer:

1. What is your screenplay about?

Physical therapist Harry Goodman meticulously plans a romantic evening to propose to his intelligent and vivacious girlfriend Sandy. But what should be a seamless night of fine dining and heartfelt commitment rapidly unravels into chaos as meddling rugby teammates, flirtatious coworkers, a jealous bouncer, and an unexpected armed robbery sidetrack every effort.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Comedy- Screwball or Romantic.

3. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

Other than the obvious, “I love to see it with actors”, I think we could use a fun, screwball comedy right now. Way too much superheroes and violence.

4. How would you describe this script in two words?

Fun time.

5. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?

Bunches of them, but “Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World” is right near the top.

6. How long have you been working on this screenplay?

Originally conceived it in 2019.

7. How many stories have you written?

There’s 1097 files in my “stories” folder. Now, some are iterations of the same script (V2, V3, etc), so, there’s prolly about 750 different stories in there.

8. What motivated you to write this screenplay?

I just got to be friends with the characters, and wanted to spend time with them.

9. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?

All the critiques of it from friends, contests and readers. It was a struggle to decide what was good advice and what the character’s wanted to do. Bless them all- they were all positive, but re-writing is tough. It’s the craft/work of the writing world.

10. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

Animation. When I’m not writing, I’m animating.

11. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?

I thought getting a reading of the scene was a great way to see if it “plays”. And the feed back I got both from the festival and the reading was invaluable. I’ll send my next script in, for that terrific reason.

After being embedded with the U.S. military in Afghanistan, which ends in tragedy, a journalist heads to rural Maine to fully recover and finds herself on the frontlines of another battle, between a family of wolves and the ruthless land developer who wants them hunted down.

After a comrade dies in a horrific incident on the frontlines in Afghanistan, a war correspondent, forced to take time off, travels to Maine, only to stumble upon a exotic-animal hunting resort that threatens the local wolf population. When two wolf pups come under her care, she risks everything to stop the corruption and return the wolves to their pack.

Get to know the writer:

1. What is your screenplay about?

This script is about a war reporter experiences the death of a close friend, she thinks she never known a tougher battle until she inherits his dog and they witnesses the murder of a wolf, then a brutal land developer set his sights on them when she informs his his land
belongs to the Penobscot Tribe, now with the two wolf pups they’ve rescued as she wages the biggest battle of her life to save them and absolve herself of her friends death.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

My screenplay is an action/ adventure/thriller with a kick-ass female lead.

3. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

This screenplay is about a woman stepping outside of herself to do something for the greater good in a world she knows nothing about. We have become so detached from nature and what the true meaning of what balance is and how important it is, I know this- you won’t find any true meaning to life buried in your phone. This movie will remind everyone who sees it what it feels like to be connected to something bigger than your
little world when you experience nature through the eyes and hearts of animals.

4. How would you describe this script in two words?

Redemption. Love.

5. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?

When I was a kid, I watched, It’s A Wonderful Life at least 5 times every Christmas. And if I had had kids, I’m sure the answer would be Frozen!:)

6. How long have you been working on this screenplay?

I have been working on this screenplay for about six years. I don’t remember how many rewrites I’ve done, but it’s been a lot!

7. How many stories have you written?

I have written two produced plays and about four unproduced plays. I’ve also written, produced, and acted in two short films, both to critical acclaim, and I have written 7 screenplays and am starting a new one soon, and I have written one sit-com.

8. What motivated you to write this screenplay?

I read an article about the slaughter of 260 wolves in Wisconsin in less than two days. The next day 236 wolves were murdered in Montana in 60 hours. These are fascinating and brilliant creatures who taught Native tribes how to take care of their children, form a family and a community that works equally for all. Humans have been demonizing them since the
beginning of time because they are misunderstood and the majority of people have not taken the time to learn how amazing they are. When I looked down at my dog, and she looked up at me, I couldn’t imagine my life without her. So, I thought, why do we love our dogs to the tune of spending 136 billion dollars a year on them and millions on killing their
ancestors? In a survey 7*% of people want to see a wolf in the wild and Yellowstone, has done this and increased its economy by 30 million annually. I just couldn’t understand the centuries of cruelty. But as Dostoevsky said, “No animal has ever been so cruel as a man.”

9. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?

I faced the same obstacles every writer faces, doubting myself and wondering if I’m a good enough writer. I don’t know if I am, but I do know I’m determined to get my story out there in the best way possible for the sake of the story.

10. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

Aside from writing, I do voiceover work and I am an animal and political activist. I spend time with my dog and my husband hiking and being in nature as much as possible. But my favorite thing is to laugh with my friends and be reminded how lucky I am to have them and how much I love them.

11. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?

I read some great reviews about your festival and wanted to be part of it. To be honest, when, I first started getting feedback there were times when I would have tears in my eyes thinking I can’t do this. But i have a much tougher skin now and realize that people who give notes are trying to help and if they’re not getting what I wrote that’s a problem I need to fix.
I got that with your notes.

Rounding the Corner, 11min., Canada
Directed by Quinn O’Connor
“Rounding the Corner” follows the motivational story of former Olympic sprinter, Molly Killingbeck, and her devastating setback at the 1988 Olympics. She recounts the event that marked a turning point in her life, and the end of her career as an athlete. Years later, she returns to the track as a coach, using her experience and unshakable resilience to inspire a new generation of athletes.

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?
There were many motivating factors behind this film, but if I had to pick one, it would be to challenge the assumption that successful athletes—or even successful people for that matter—avoid failure on their path to success when in reality, it’s quite the opposite.

From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
Start to finish, the film took roughly six months to complete. Most of that time was spent planning locations and sourcing archival footage, alongside editing footage we captured over two separate shoot days.

How would you describe your film in two words!?
Raw Inspiration!

What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
The biggest challenge was condensing Molly’s entire career into an 11-minute timeline without it feeling rushed, yet still maintaining a strong narrative pace.

What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
I was incredibly happy with the feedback—it felt like the confirmation I needed that the film landed the emotional beats I was aiming for. My initial concern was that the tone might come across as more dejected than motivational, but based on the audience’s responses, I don’t think that was the case.

When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
As a former athlete and a lifelong filmmaker, I think I’ve always felt the pull to tell stories like this—cliché as that might sound. The initial thought of creating this film specifically came to me last spring, and we began shooting in mid-June.

What film have you seen the most in your life?
Aside from A Christmas Carol (1951), which my dad insists we watch every Christmas Eve, I’d say The Dark Knight is a close second.

What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
Honestly, hosting these in-person screenings is more than enough. They’re a fantastic way for young filmmakers like me to connect, network, and feel part of a creative community.

You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experience been working on the festival platform site?
Submitting through FilmFreeway has been completely seamless—no notes!

What is your favourite meal?
This answer changes month to month, but right now I’d say seared salmon sushi is my go-to.

What is next for you? A new film?
My most immediate goal is to break into the commercial space in Toronto as a cinematographer, so for the time being, I’m developing some spec projects with friends from film school to be shot throughout the summer.