Submit a screenplay that is only 1 page long and have it performed at the Writing Festival by professional actors.
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Submit for only $20. ALL of the screenplays will be accepted and performed. If there is a beginning/middle/end, and the grammar is sound, we will perform it.
A great way to get your words out there, obtain the Agent you’re looking for or just get your story and work seen by more people. Your story will be seen by 100,000s of people when it’s read online using top professional actors. It’s a rush you’ll never experience in your life seeing it come to life that way.
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1. Write a story that is 1pg. maximum. Edit the heck out of it. We accept all genres.
In the body in the email please add your: – FULL NAME – CITY AND COUNTRY – TITLE OF STORY – TYPE OF STORY (genres) – (optional) and a 1-2 line synopsis of your story.
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Watch Short Screenplays performed by professional actors:
Black American healer shares about her practice and explores traditional healing, music, and dance in Zimbabwe.
Review by Julie Sheppard:
This joyful short, “Afrolistic: Black Healing From Zimbabwe to the Bay”, was produced as a real labour of love and discovery by healer Nekia Wright, who travelled from the US to Zimbabwe in 2021. The film was beautifully framed near the beginning and the end with exuberant youth dancers from Zimbabwe, which set a lively and celebratory tone to the piece. These young people displayed their incredible talents for dance, singing and percussion, and their stunning costumes were both versatile and culturally representative in nature.
Other remarkable talents were displayed throughout the film during interviews of many intuitive and compassionate healers in the area. There was a real sense of pride and confidence in these healers, who offered assistance using both traditional religion and such things as ancestral and spiritual communication. The drone footage of the massive stone mountains and welcoming village homes was breathtaking. Another well-done technical element was the crystal-clear sound recordings of community singing and rhythmic beats.
Congratulations to healer Nekia who courageously took on this project to connect with the spirit of her ancestors, to learn more about her heritage and, in turn, to find healing herself.
One hundred life forms received a distressing signal from the vanished civilization of Pharmakon, learning that Earth is on the verge of self-destruction. Time Lord has devised a way to destabilize time, propelled Earth beings to enter an alternate reality through “THE GAME” – a mysterious portal that reduces them to a single-cell form.
Directed by Amy Cheung
Review by Andie Karvelis:
It’s important to realize this was presented as part of the Hong Kong Shenzhe Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism/Architecture. A six week alternate reality game took place between 27, August to 26, November 2022. This very unique experience was written by Wing Yan Ng and writer/director Amy Cheung.
In true video game fashion you need to have a computer generated realm, this was thanks to Shence Mao for their 3D game design work, Erkka Nissinen ( 3D effects ) and Jeff Yiu who was responsible for the cinematography, A.I. motion and the editing. All of the A.I. and computer generated imagery was stunning and seamless. Amy Chueng and Jeff Yiu also handled the voice over for the A.I. robot and the visual effects which were exceptional.
However, TimeBank ( the game ) wasn’t just solely computer generated with A.I. There were some very impactful live action sequences that addressed serious issues concerning our eco systems, solar energy and food waste. Personally, I would have enjoyed more time spent on what each individual group was doing to help with these environmental concerns.
This film is a great educational tool that would fit perfectly in schools to spark the interest of our youth to become more involved in protecting this little blue rock we all call hom
Eighty minutes of pure horror queer celebration with original musical numbers, voodoo, zombies, Drag Queens, and campy neo-giallo delight soaked in blood, gristle, and glitter, oh my! In this “glam horror” righteous extravaganza, a battle for territory requires the Bouvèé sisters to set aside their differences to become the “Big Easy Queens!” Entirely made-in-Florida and set in the steamy underworld, BIG EASY QUEENS follows Minnie Bouvèé, Mob Queen of the Quarter, and her rivalry with her arch-nemesis, Poodles Makenzie. After Minnie Bouvèé has Poodles Makenzie’s crew brutally slaughtered, she braces for the blowback; what she doesn’t expect, however, is to be stalked by a creepy masked figure who leaves behind bouquets of gardenias and terrifying notes. Is this Poodles’ revenge, or the work of Minnie’s estranged sister who stole her man years ago and has suddenly reappeared in her life?
“Big Easy Queens” is a musical celebration of queer horror, blending blood, gristle, and glitter into a unique spectacle. The film revolves around a battle for territory forcing the Bouvèé sisters to set aside their differences and unite as the “Big Easy Queens.”
The story follows Minnie Bouvèé, Mob Queen of the Quarter, as she contends with her arch-nemesis, Poodles Makenzie. After having Poodles’ crew brutally slaughtered, Minnie braces for retaliation, but is instead stalked by a creepy masked figure who leaves behind bouquets of gardenias and threatening notes. The mystery deepens as Minnie wonders if this is Poodles’ revenge or the work of her estranged sister, who reappears in her life after years of animosity.
From the title card, it’s clear “Big Easy Queens” promises a bloody tale. The film draws cinematic inspirations from iconic films such as “The Birdcage”, “The Producers”, and “Chicago”, with a touch of “Austin Powers” thrown in (the gun bra scene is particularly memorable). A threatening letter attached with white gardenias—a personal touch for Miss Bouvèé—adds an eerie layer to the plot. The musical numbers delve into the characters’ complicated histories, especially involving Jackson, who left Minnie for her sister, Mimi. Jackson’s constant scheming for money reveals the emotional manipulations at play.
Mimi makes a deal with Poodles, agreeing to be her “pet” in exchange for limitless cash to keep Jackson. Just as Mimi thinks she’s getting what she wants, a surprising twist keeps her desires just out of reach.
The bloody covered gardenias are the most artistically cinematic element, and the kaleidoscope sequence is killer—pun intended. The film’s play on witchcraft, in a scene reminiscent of “I Love Lucy” and “Scooby-Doo”, showcases the sister duo’s plot to outsmart Poodles.
As the story unfolds, the villain behind the crime isn’t who we expect. The thrupple of men planning to take over the Quarter is revealed to be led by Giuseppe, Miss Bouvèé’s right-hand man, who witnessed his mother’s accidental murder at Minnie’s hands with Poodles’ right hand man and Jackson by his side. The revenge plot comes full circle, with the sisters uniting to take down the thrupple and rise in power.
In the end, the two sisters find their happy ending not with a man, but by rediscovering their bond and performing together at the club. The production design, costumes, and setting perfectly capture the glitz and glam of the LGBTQ Queen lifestyle with a mob boss twist. This blend of high camp and gangster drama is rare, making the film’s storytelling experience truly unique.
Directed by Erynn Dalton, with a screenplay by Robert Leleux and an original score by Geoffrey Short, “Big Easy Queens” is a blood-soaked, glittering joyride through queer horror. Eric Swanson as Miss Bouvèé and Jennifer McClain as Poodles MaKenzie deliver standout performances, making this film a must-watch for fans of the genre.
Your Everyday Heroes traveled to Costa Rica and searched for inspirational everyday people who are changing the world. Jeremy, Tracey, Vernon and Che are clearly all examples of what it takes to be a Hero, and we’re proud to share their stories with you.
The film, EVERYDAY HEROES OF COSTA RICA, is a remarkable tribute to three amazing people that are working on conversation and restoration of the vanishing wildlife in the region. The storytelling is captivating, physically showing the work of Vernon, Tracey and Jeremy through Wild Sun rather than just telling the audience what they are doing to restore the populations of the red macaws, turtles and howler monkeys.
Most conversation films focus on the facts surrounding the species needing to be saved, coming off as preaching activism, whereas this documentary established who the people were and why others thought they were heroes. It made the film more about the people and the wildlife in a way that everyone would agree with the filmmaker. Vernon, Tracey and Jeremy are individuals with a deep passion for their conservation efforts. They are people who clearly care about the culture of Costa Rica while at the same time wanting to preserve the native wildlife.
The volunteers are people who care, inspired by the passion of the everyday heroes. These are the type of people that the world should hear more about as they bring a light to the dark world. They are leaving an amazing legacy behind by working directly with the animals and helping them adapt so that they can survive in the wild.
This documentary makes it clear what a hero is, a role model that someone wants to learn from and follow in their footsteps. Vernon, Tracey and Jeremey deserved this inspiring tribute. They truly are heroes as they work to preserve and restore the Costa Rican wildlife populations. It’s a call to action film that actually makes people want to volunteer in conservation efforts.
In 1935 Egas Moniz, renowned Portuguese neurologist, visit psychiatrist Sobral Cid in order to persuade him allow his patients to be act as subjects for Moniz’s experiemntal treatment – frontal leucotomy. After some resistance Cid agrees. The first such operation is staged, but Moniz’s exhaltation is cut short by an attempt on his life. This self-contained chamber opera is actually scene 7 from a longer opera of the same name that tells three stories from the history of 20th century brain science (rather than a screenplay we worked with a libretto). it was filmed very quickly with little resources and involved professional and non-professional cast & crew.
‘The historical short film, BRAINLAND, is a creative way to depict the origin of the use of brain surgery for people suffering from mental illness. Neurologist Egas Moniz has his story told as opera, sung rather than spoken. The operatic lyrics (this is subtitled) take us through a disagreements between Moniz and psychiatrist, Cid, whose patients he needs to test his experimental treatment. This is a rare time where a musical makes sense for the characters to sing, rather than just making an operatic film where the audience has to submerge themselves into a world other than our own.
The use of one room, a surgical theater, helps depict the control that Moniz implemented on the patients. It allows for tall shadows to dance on the walls, giving an eerie feeling that something is going to go wrong. The dark yellow color contrasts against the white wardrobe and surgical blood. The only question left unanswered is, how did a patient get a gun into the controlled setting as a psychiatric patient that is implied to have been institutionalized.
BRAINLAND, directed by Chiara D’Anna, is a cinematic masterpiece that goes to a moment in history when 1949 Nobel Prize Winner for Medicine, Egan Moniz, first conducted his psychosurgical experiments in 1935. He survived being shot by a patient but remains a controversial figure.’
The documentary is cameos of five neurodivergent adults who are witnessing the radical changes happening by being more and more in touch with their neurodiversity. Atypical adults in Europe are often undiagnosed and having to mask their whole lives. They face discrimination in their professional lives and often struggle with low self-esteem and feel worthless. Through their journeys they will see their neurodiversity not as a deficit or dysfunction but as a distinctive cognitive style, with its own strengths and benefits. An estimated 20 percent of the world’s population are thought to be neuroatypical.
Review by Andie Karvelis:
Neurodivergent. It’s an important word and one we should all familiarize ourselves with. This stunning documentary chronicles the lives and struggles of five amazing neurodivergent adults as they find their path and their confidence in a neurotypical world.
Writer Marion Vagner came up with the concept to do this documentary and it is educational, heartfelt and beautifully emotional. Director Michael Jimmy Dupret did an amazing job bringing this vision to life and allowing the audience to get to know each individual. It also helps the viewer understand the finer points of Dyspraxia, Tourette’s Syndrome, ADHD, Autism, and HIP.
Personally, I consider myself lucky because I have a cousin who is neurodivergent and I’ve spent so much of my life around him. Quite frankly, he is one of the most beautiful souls I have ever met and my life is richer because I know him. That’s why I’m lucky. To me, he is just a person like any other, but I know much of the neurotypical world reacts differently. It was gut wrenching to listen to the experiences that each person endured and wonderful to see them accepted for who they are by friends and family.
From a technical standpoint, the cinematography in this documentary was exceptional. Colors, lighting and certain camera angles that were chosen were all stunning. Pierre Dumoulin created a score that complimented this film so well. The entire documentary was not only visually stunning but emotionally moving.
“Poet” is a dance film inspired by Chinese poet Yu Xiuhua, a rural woman with cerebral palsy, who recently became famous in China. Many started to know her works from her audacious Poem “Crossing Half of China to Sleep with You”. Living in a conservative rural village in southern China where prejudice against women, disability, and divorce are high, she managed to break free from an unwanted marriage and live her life as a writer despite the satirical voices around.
Review by Parker Jesse Chase
“Poet,” is a visual exploration inspired by the life and work of Chinese poet Yu Xiuhua. Known for her bold and audacious poem “Crossing Half of China to Sleep with You,” Yu Xiuhua’s story is one of resilience and triumph over societal prejudice. Living in a conservative rural village, our leading lady breaks free from an unwanted marriage and pursues her passion for writing despite the challenges posed by her disability and societal expectations.
The film begins with a striking black-and-white series of special insert b-roll shots. These close-ups—feet moving, a bundle of sticks, serene landscapes, wheat fields, and trains—set an intimate and contemplative tone. The inclusion of mundane objects like a mop across the floor juxtaposed with nature and movement creates imagery immediately drawing the viewer in.
As the scene shifts amidst the atmosphere of the company inside the train, we see the dancer amidst a group of passengers. In the confined space between two train carts, the dancer’s movements mimic the accelerating pace of the train, a metaphor for the poet’s journey and the momentum of her life. The choreography is tight, the movements deliberate, capturing the intensity and urgency of breaking free from societal constraints.
The transition to an open field is a pivotal moment in the film. Here, the pace slows, reflecting a shift to a more serene and introspective state. The night sounds—whistles and rustling—underscore the dancer’s movements, which now emulate the gentleness of the wind.
This segment beautifully contrasts the previous scenes, offering a sense of calm and freedom. The introduction of color marks a significant transformation in the narrative. A close-up of an insect and the accompanying rattling buzz symbolize the vibrancy and complexity of life. The dancer, now in a wheat field, moves with a sense of liberation, fluttering arms like a bird in flight. The sight of an actual bird passing overhead reinforces the theme of freedom and connection with nature.
The scene where the dancer cradles a haystack exudes joy and peace, capturing a moment of pure, carefree interaction with the natural world. The transition from the frenetic energy of the train to the tranquil beauty of the open field mirrors the journey from struggle to emancipation. The actor’s performance is exceptional, maintaining a dynamic pace through the dance transitions. The choreography effectively narrates the arc from the mechanical movements of the train, through the darkness of night, to the brightness of a new day. The dancer’s white attire likely symbolizes a new beginning, emphasizing themes of rebirth and renewal as color infuses the film in its latter part.
“Poet” is a moving homage to Yu Xiuhua’s work. Through its evocative imagery and dance sequences, the film not only celebrates her life and work, but also offers a universal message of hope and resilience.
Aspiring artist Alexia, grieves the loss of a loved one and struggles to finish her painting. The-o, her personal AI assistant, who has little understanding of human emotions, tries everything in his power to feed her longing soul.
Review by Parker Jesse Chase:
“Project 405: Lost at Sea” is an exploration of grief, art, and the disconnect between human emotions and artificial intelligence. Directed with a keen sense of disconnect, the film centers on Alexia, an aspiring artist struggling to complete her painting while mourning the loss of a loved one. Her personal AI assistant, The-O, strives to console her, despite his limited understanding of human emotions.
The cinematography uses a muted color palette to evoke a sense of dullness and melancholy. This choice effectively mirrors Alexia’s internal struggle. One of the most striking sequences features Alexia staring into the vast expanse of water, seamlessly transitioning from reality to the canvas, blending her grief with her art. This pull-out shot, revealing a work of art on an easel and a man gripping a framed photo, introduces an element of unease and mystery, hinting at deeper emotional undercurrents.
As the film progresses, we see Alexia’s daily life, including her interactions with The-O. When Alexia returns home, The-O attempts to bring her comfort, even offering physical relaxation. His fascination with her painting, which he claims is far from finished, prompts a telling exchange. The-O’s remark that the ocean is the thirteenth easiest landscape to paint in acrylics underscores his mechanical perspective, leading viewers to question his nature and the depth of his connection with Alexia.
The-O’s actions reveal a genuine, albeit flawed, attempt to care for Alexia. He takes a bottle from her hand to ease her burden and shows an interest in extending the life of flowers, indicating his desire to understand and help. Yet, his efforts to assist with her painting falls flat, leading to confrontation. When Alexia declares “art is a feeling,” The-O’s inability to grasp this concept highlights the chasm between human experience and artificial comprehension.
The film subtly reveals the source of Alexia’s grief through glitchy, fragmented memories of a man who is no longer present. This loss, incomprehensible to The-O, triggers a powerful emotional response in Alexia, showcasing her frustration with his unhuman-like qualities. The film beautifully juxtaposes The-O’s attempts to understand humanity with Alexia’s immersion in her art. The sounds of ocean waves and chirping birds provide a temporary respite, allowing Alexia to embrace a fleeting moment of peace.
However, the reality of her depression is starkly portrayed through the growing disorder in her home and The-O’s own attempt at art, depicting Alexia decaying in a charging box.
This short offers a moving reflection on the intersection of technology and human emotion. It portrays the limitations of AI in comprehending the depths of human grief and the essence of art. The film’s haunting imagery and thought-provoking narrative linger long after the credits roll, leaving viewers to ponder the true nature of creativity and connection.
John is convinced he’s been on this planet for longer than his lifetime. This feeling of knowing more than what meets the eye troubles him deeply.
Review by Julie Sheppard:
“Déjà Vu – Souls Never Die” is a riveting short film, taking the viewer down a far-reaching road of past lives. From the opening scene of the hustle and bustle of a big, modern city, to a quiet, meditative therapist’s office, to a majestic forest, the editing was top notch. These settings helped tell the narrative in such a profound way. It is the main character’s current existence in his mystifying present, his search for truth with his therapist, and his memories of a vivid past that drive this high-paced, exciting film. Each talented cast member plays a part in this puzzle, as the lead character finally understands his feelings of déjà vu.
The dynamic cinematography was fearless in its scope, shooting from all angles, and the fight choreography was incredibly powerful and vicious – each clang of the metal blades took such energy and precision from the warriors – and the heightened sound effects were both startling and breathtaking. The fabulous soundtrack matched the intensity of this drama and would definitely hold its own to any major action blockbuster in the cinemas today.
This was an immensely satisfying film all around, and it really challenges us to contemplate feelings of déjà vu in our own lives. Have we also been down our far-reaching roads before?
Festival Reviews 