What is the theme of your poem?

The theme of my poem is survival, resilience, and reclaiming a voice after enduring an abusive relationship. It explores the weight of trauma, the pain of being dismissed or blamed, and the fight to hold onto a sense of self when the world seems to turn away. It’s a deeply personal reflection on the strength it takes to keep going and demand to be heard, even when it feels like no one is listening.

What motivated you to write this poem?

This poem was born from my own experiences and the desire to process emotions that felt too heavy to carry silently. Writing has always been my way of making sense of pain, but this poem in particular felt like an act of defiance—a way of saying, “I’m still here, and my voice matters.” I also wanted to speak for anyone who has ever felt dismissed or silenced, to let them know they’re not alone.

How long have you been writing poetry?

I’ve been writing since I was 10 years old. Writing has always been my escape—a place where I could explore my thoughts and emotions freely. As a child, it was a way to imagine other worlds; as I grew older, it became my outlet for navigating the complexities of life. Poetry, in particular, has been a constant companion, helping me to put words to feelings I didn’t know how to express any other way.

If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?

Dick Van Dyke. I’ve always been inspired by his infectious energy and his incredible legacy in entertainment. He has such a vibrant spirit, and I think a dinner with him would be unforgettable. We’d talk about everything from his classic performances in Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang to his outlook on staying creative and joyful in life. I imagine we’d share plenty of laughs, and his positivity would leave me feeling uplifted and inspired.

What influenced you to submit to have your poetry performed by a professional actor?

I’ve always been curious about how my words might sound when spoken by someone else. I wanted to hear my poem come to life through another voice, to see how someone else could embody the emotions I poured into it. It’s also about sharing those feelings with the world in a way that feels bigger than me—letting someone else be the voice that, at times, I felt I didn’t have.

Do you write other works? Scripts? Short Stories? Etc.?

Absolutely. I write short scripts, feature-length screenplays, and short stories, often exploring gothic and horror themes. One of my short scripts was even nominated for a horror award, which was such an exciting moment in my career. I’ve also had the privilege of producing three short films, which was both challenging and rewarding. I love experimenting with different forms of storytelling because each medium offers a unique way to connect with an audience. It’s always a thrill to figure out how best to bring a story to life and make it resonate.

What is your passion in life?

My passion lies in storytelling—whether it’s through writing, filmmaking, or photography. I love delving into the complexities of the human experience, capturing raw emotions, and exploring untold stories. I’m also deeply committed to advocating for gender equality and social justice. Beyond my creative work, I value my family and friends immensely. They are my foundation, and I cherish the authentic connections I’ve built with them. Making everlasting memories with the people I love is something I hold close to my heart. Together, these passions fuel my drive to connect with others on a deeper level and leave a meaningful impact in the world.

1. What is your screenplay about?
‘Ghosting’ follows a young Navajo woman who returns to her hometown in Flagstaff, Arizona, for the three-year anniversary of her cousin’s disappearance. She begins to suspect a connection between a popular dating app and the case.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?
It is a no doubt ‘horror’ entry. I really wanted this to feel scary and creepy, and toe the line between police thriller and supernatural tale.

3. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
I wrote it in such a way where I believe in the hands of capable filmmakers it wouldn’t require a ton of production cost. That being said, based on the hot climate of good horror — there is no doubt in my mind this film would crush at the box office. Picture ‘The Ring’ meets ‘Tinder.’ Beyond the hook of the idea, the film is loaded with important themes and examines grief, generational trauma, and violence against Indigenous women.

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

5. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?
It’s probably a toss up between a few. Go (1999). The Matrix (1999), Fight Club (1999) and Goodfellas (1990).

6. How long have you been working on this screenplay?
I completed the first draft in summer 2023. I’ve done three drafts since then.

7. How many stories have you written?
Too many to count. I’ve got seven features in the vault right now. I’ve also done three tv pilots.

8. What is your favorite song? (Or, what song have you listened to the most times in your life?)
That’s a really hard question. I can give you a couple:
Into The Mystic – Van Morrisson.
Ooh La La – The Faces
With Or Without You – U2
Silver Springs – Fleetwood Mac
Allure – Jay-z
NY State Of Mind – Nas
Work – Gangstarr

9. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
Not many. I had been plotting this one out for awhile and I loved the idea so much. It came pretty naturally. I don’t have too many obstacles during the writing process. The creative part has always been fun for me. It’s once you’re done with the piece and have to find a way to get it funded.

10. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
Reading, Acting, raising my son Ronan, working out and studying Irish history.

11. You entered your screenplay via FilmFreeway. What has been your experiences working with the submission platform site?
It’s the standard! Loved it.

12. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?
Feedback was solid. It was nice to take home an award and always feels great when people latch onto a specific piece of your writing and rave about it. The scene they picked out from mine to do the reading of is a really intimate scene and for many folks I’d think it might be a throwaway but for me I loved how close it was.

1.11 is a dystopia that takes place in 2060 when, to curb population growth, an algorithm selects each year, on a random basis, 100 million people around the world to be euthanized.

First 2 pages of script.

Narrator: Hannah Ehman
Mr. O’Toole: Steve Rizzo
Young Male Voice: Shawn Devlin
Arthur: Sean Ballantyne

Get to know the writer:

1. What is your screenplay about?

It is a dystopia that takes places in 2060 when, to curb population growth, an algorithm selects each year, on a random basis, 100 million people around the world to be euthanized.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

I would say sci-fi but it is also a coming-of-age story.

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

Because it was written to be made into a movie and it is potentially very cinegenic.

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

Compelling page-turner.

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

I usually don’t see movies many times but they are some that I have seen more than once such as
– Interstellar by Christopher Nola
– An affair to remember by Leo McCarey
– The Mad Adventures of Rabbi Jacob by Gérard Oury

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

About two years including the different versions.

7. How many stories have you written?

Three feature length screenplays (including 1.11) and one short screenplay (which won the 2020 Manhattan Short Screenplay Award).
I also write poetry, novels, short stories.

8. What is your favorite song? (Or, what song have you listened to the most times in your life?)

It is a tough question because I have a lot of favorite songs. Let’s say Baby Can I hold you by Tracy Chapman (maybe one of the most beautiful love songs ever that tells so much with just a few words).

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

Time!

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

Watching movies and series, and reading books.

11. You entered your screenplay via FilmFreeway. What has been your experiences working with the submission platform site?

Very good so far.

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

I thought it was well adapted to my screenplay and the initial feedback was very positive and encouraging.

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Born
December 20 · Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Spouse
John Kastner(December 18, 1999 – 2012) (divorced, 1 child)

Has starred in two different science fiction series co-created by Michael Piller in which her character was part of a love triangle: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993) and The Dead Zone (2002).

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Born
December 20, 1952 · Taunton, Somerset, England, UK

Birth name
Jennifer Ann Agutter

Spouse
Johan Tham(August 4, 1990 – present) (1 child)

QUOTES:

[on living and working in Los Angeles] Los Angeles is like a desert. The only thing that exists is the work you do. You have that sense of living a precarious existence.

To make films is as boring as watching paint dry. You usually have to do tiny bits here and there. You go off waiting for lighting, you come back – the energy dies. You hope you can find someone who can keep it going.

[on an older nun who looked after Agutter’s ill mother] I once asked her how she coped with difficulties and she looked at me very quizzically and said: “You just get on with it.” Difficult times were not something that got in the way, they were simply something that happened. Sometimes there was happiness, sometimes there was sadness and you dealt with whatever you had at that time. I think Sister Julienne and the nuns at Nonnatus would have felt something similar to that.

[being nude in films] It’s not an issue with me. The exploitation of it is. You can end up naked in places you don’t want to. That shocks me. Doing it doesn’t shock me.

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Born
December 19, 1997 · San Francisco, California, USA

He is of Japanese (father) and German-English (mother) descent.

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Born
December 19, 1980 · Los Angeles, California, USA

Birth name
Jacob Benjamin Gyllenhaal

QUOTES:

[1999] Being a star doesn’t last. That’s not what life should be about. It’s a complete illusion that really has nothing to do with you. For me, finding out about life is the most important thing.

[on the one role that got away] I’d have to say Ewan McGregor’s part in Moulin Rouge! (2001). It was so close. I sang and everything. I went through months of auditions. It was between me, Heath Ledger and Ewan. I think it came down to age and where people were in their careers. I was the youngest and the least known. I would hope it didn’t have anything to do with talent. Maybe it did.

I admire actors and artists who devote just as much time to their life as they do to their work.