Mark Tyler gets out of prison after twelve years for a robbery gone awry. The loot is still out there. A corrupt cop, a local grifter, a femme fatale and the partner he left for dead all come marching out of his past to come for it.

CAST LIST:

Narrator: Steve Rizzo
Counselor: Geoff Mays
Mark: Shawn Devlin

Get to know the writers:

1. What is your screenplay about?
Jeremy Hogan: To me it’s about time. Lost time, how we spend our time, the futility of trying to catch up or outrun it.

Aaron Krygier… Lost people looking for something to fulfill that emptiness. Whether it’s something tangible or not. Love, revenge, greed.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?
JH: Neo-noir or crime thriller
AK the same

2. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
JH: I’m biased, but I think it’s well written. Meaty characters that actors might relish playing, and it’s true to its genre, while subverting conventions and expectations in interesting or surprising ways.

AK it wears its influences on its sleeve and its simplicity offers a ton of options for outlandish Ness.

3. How would you describe this script in two words?
JH: uncertain redemption
AK… Evoking humanity.

4. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?
JH: Probably a tie between “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” or “Miller’s Crossing,” though “Adaptation” is catching up.

AK… Heat, Blade Runner, Alien, Se7en are all contenders.

5. How long have you been working on this screenplay?
JH: Off and on for over twenty years. It is very different from how it started out.

AK… about 3 years. Jeremy and I had known each other loosely for a long time, then after he was gracious enough to watch my film Rust Belt Driller he asked for me to jump in and rip it up.

6. How many stories have you written?
JH: Probably 6 feature length, 10 short scripts, maybe 20 short stories.

AK… 5 or 6 features, too many things unfinished.

7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?
JH: I like the genre, I’m a genre guy in general, and I was inspired by films like “Blood Simple” or “After Dark, My Sweet” or “Red Rock West” and I thought I had a good “in” on it. An interesting McGuffin and a way to twist and then double twist the end. And maybe twist it once more for good measure and get away with it.

AK… it’s always nice to feel wanted, and Jeremy trusted me to go into his story head on and to do my thing, which is to make things grounded and doable. It’s a great story and I’m proud of our team up.

8. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
JH: The problem with genre movies, especially sub-genre, is that conventions can become tropes, which can be very cliché. And it’s tough to be true to the form and still make it interesting and new. There were times I felt like I had already seen this movie and shelved it. There was even an earlier draft that was so much like a movie I saw in the theater, right down to some similar character traits and the same names, that I thought “I literally have seen this movie, now.” But after feeling kind of defeated and empty, I felt validated, like “hey! that worked!” and eventually decided to take what was still fresh and innovative about it and rework it.

AK… Jeremy has a great dreamlike vision for everything he writes. But sometimes that goes outside the scope of what’s doable here and now. I have a theater background even before film so I look at things a little more practical. Taking something that would require a huge budget and still making it work but putting it in a room instead of a bus full of people was the fun of it.

9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
JH: Watching movies. I fell in love early and fell hard. I like reading and playing video games, as well. I have a hot and cold thing going on with water painting.

AK… Movies, 80s type music, cats, gaming, English football (soccer). Did I mention cats?

10. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?
JH: Reviews and feedback on FilmFreeway and seeing some of the results of past competitions. It’s very interesting hearing a scene read.

AK… this was all Jeremy. I smiled and nodded and said go for it.

11. What movie have you watched the most times in your life?
JH: Since you asked twice, my first answer must have sounded phony. So I confess it’s “Burlesque.” It’s “Purple Rain” meets “Cabaret” and I love it and I don’t care who knows it.

Some other honorable mentions are Outlander, The Thing, Prince of Darkness… And Showgirls. Unrepentant amazing trash.

When a young, broke librarian buys an abandoned house on the outskirts of a British Columbian town, he starts to uncover the house’s secrets as unexplained incidents occur.

CAST LIST:

Narrator: Steve Rizzo
Anna: Elizabeth Rose Morris
Eric: Shawn Devlin

Get to know the writer:

1. What is your screenplay about?

The script follows a young programmer who moves into a haunted house in the Interior of British Columbia due to (widespread) financial difficulties.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

It is a horror picture.

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

The story derives it’s chills n’ thrills from mood more so than sudden frights, which an audience will resonate with. The origin of the evil spectre which haunts the house and surrounding area is also relevant to issues of concern today.

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

‘Definite Appeal’.

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

By my recollection, either ‘Jaws’ or ‘The Maltese Falcon’.

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

The last revisions done to the script were in 2024.

6. How many stories have you written?

Two student shorts, three shorts, two feature scripts, one web pilot, one television pilot, as well as two feature scripts currently in the pipeline.

7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?

‘Some Kind of Rot’ was written as an entry for another film festival in the autumn of 2018, with commercial appeal in mind.

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

‘Some Kind of Rot’ was written as an entry for another film festival in the autumn of 2018, with commercial appeal in mind.

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

Time constraints, with respect to the closing date for the aforementioned festival’s submissions (this was the quickest feature I’ve composed).

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

History, philosophy, zoology, economics…almost any scholarly field outside of mathematics and it’s affiliates.

11. What movie have you watched the most times in your life?

An opportunity for laurels and exposure for the piece. The feed back was informative.

Summary: Researching transfusion therapy on different blood groups, something goes completely wrong when the test subjects start mutating and transforming into Zombie like creatures.

Get to know the writer:

What is your screenplay about?

A day in the life of a biotech firm takes center stage in Blood Red as we travel from floor to floor, department to department, meeting the teams that comprise Edgewater Laboratories and their sometimes adversarial motivations.

Edgewater’s Chief Science Officer, Dr. Ruby Beck, is the inventor of a synthetic blood she’s named Ichor for the mythical golden fluid that ran in the veins of the gods. Ruby explains to an audience of investors gathered at the company’s headquarters that every two seconds, someone needs blood due to injury or disease.

Imagine a limitless supply of healthy blood in every hospital, school, military unit, and remote location. No more relying on donations. No more chance of contamination. No more delays in supply or delivery.

Three floors below, eight patients are halfway through the final trials of Ichor in the aftermath of a violent protest against the ethics of artificial blood that has put the entire company on edge. But today, something is different. Sabotage of the Ichor infusion is affecting each patient differently with horrifying results.

The day begins with routine patient observation and nerves around hosting the company’s first investor conference before spiraling out of control as we root for Ruby, fighting for her life from floor to floor while trying to unwind the conspiracy threatening her creation.

Ruby must reconcile if her creation is the pinnacle of healthcare or a threat to humanity.

What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Horror / Thriller

Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

Horror remains one of the few genres that’s arguably still best experienced in the theater with a crowd to share in the frights, jump scares, and wild reactions to what’s on the screen. Safety in numbers!

How would you describe this script in two words?

Menacing & Plausible

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

My favorite movies are usually the ones that are so rewatchable, you just can’t help yourself. From Tremors, 48 HRS., and Serenity to Grease, Shawshank Redemption, and Groundhog Day, it’s hard to say.

But I think the record must go to Caddyshack because growing up it was my father’s favorite movie to put on and relax to, but it’s a movie he never finished because my brother and I believe he never made it to the end before nodding off!

How long have you been working on this screenplay?

I began writing Blood Red in December 2024 and had a first draft in about six weeks. It’s now been through several revisions but the story structure has remained largely the same.

How many stories have you written?

I’m currently pitching two completed features (the other is an action/adventure ensemble) and two completed pilots, one is an R-rate high school comedy limited series and the other is an animated series.

What motivated you to write this screenplay?

One part fascination with technological breakthroughs and learning about the dozen aspects of replicating human blood that medical science can’t overcome, and one part disgust over the despicable ways healthcare is managed in a for-profit system.

What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?

Answering the question of what journey does our hero take was challenging. She’s almost larger than life in her abilities to pioneer ground-breaking science, provide patient care, and feel just as comfortable holding a syringe as she is a firearm.

Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

Animal welfare, great music to drive to, and comedic timing.

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

I appreciated that your festival is obsessed with horror and gets that the genre takes many forms. I’m overjoyed and extremely encouraged that Blood Red resonated with you!

www.rightpurdy.com

Harry loves Sandy and has planned “the big date” to propose, but between his twin, her twin, the guys from the Bobcat rugby team, Roxie, Linda, and One Eye’d Jacks, the world seems against it. Comedy.

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. With the engagement ring left behind and a police chase unfolding,

Harry and Sandy must navigate misunderstandings, mistaken identities, and family dysfunction—all while questioning how well they truly know each other. A raucous romantic comedy that careens through slapstick, screwball, and sincere emotional beats,

The Big Date asks whether true love can survive a night gone completely off the rails.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Definitely a “ROM-COM” with shades of Screwball comedy!

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

I think the world could use some comedy right now. And definitely some romance!

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

I like, “Screw-ball”, but that’s kinda one word. Wild and Crazy?

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

Ooo- I’m an older person, so- “Mad, Mad, Mad, World”?; “Philadelphia story”?; “Treasure Island (1934 version)”?; I tend towards ‘action/comedies’.

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

Oldest, genesis paper is dated 2019, but I really didn’t get into until 2023, so I’d say 2 years of writing and rewriting.

6. How many stories have you written?

Scripts? Hundreds, but not all of them complete.

7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?

This one started as short, wild dream. I just felt compelled to write it down and share it.

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

Getting all the characters to “feed” each other and the story. Lot’s of re-alining motivations and character traits.

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

Animation. I see all my stories in my head with animated characters.

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

Toronto is a lovely city, and not a whole lot of Comedy festivals about. I found the feed back very helpful- you should read the latest version!

11. What movie have you watched the most times in your life?

I think it would have to be “The House on the Borderland” or “The Gurgle”. I made those…. does that count?

Auberon’s track record as a vampire is less than stellar, so when he’s given a final ultimatum he has to pull out all the stops to save his career.

Get to know the writer:

1. What is your screenplay about?

Auberon’s Last Chance is about a young vampire who has to find three victims in the course of one night to avoid being returned to mortal life.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

I would describe it as a dramedy with a spoonful of magical realism, and a sprinkling of romance!

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

It’s fun and has a unique protagonist; a likeable vampire with ethics.

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

Quirkily humorous.

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

That’s difficult but, in the last ten years, I’ve probably watched Roddy Doyle’s The Commitments about a dozen times. I love the combination of Irish wit and great soul music.

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

Auberon’s Last Chance was originally written as a short story so the adaptation to a screenplay only took about a week.

6. How many stories have you written?

About 50 short stories, several novellas, one novel, and about a dozen screenplays (mostly feature length).

7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?

The original short story won a competition and was published so I knew I’d created an interesting character. I decided a short script aimed at the indie market was the next step.

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

I had to do some ferocious editing to get it down to 10 pages. A few favorite bits had to go!

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

Classic cars! I owned a 1963 Triumph sports car until recently and go to as many shows as I can.

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

The fact that it specializes in comedy and has great testimonials. The feedback was helpful and most of the suggestions will be implemented in the next draft.

LOGLINE: In the 1940s, prisoners — including infamous mob boss Joe Blunda — were released to defend America from Nazi spy attacks. What happened to them remains a chilling mystery: none were ever seen alive again.

CAST LIST:

Narrator: Elizabeth Rose Morris
Steve: Shawn Devlin
Hoover: Geoff Mays

Get to know the writer:

1. What is your screenplay about?

My screenplay tells a story that was circulating at the time — it captures society during the World War era and highlights an undeniable truth: Power is often manipulated by ruthless agendas.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

The genre is historical thriller.

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

Dire Straits

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

So many, but especially Superman (1978). When I was a kid, I watched it over and over again. Same with the Lord of the Rings. I would go through phases where I’d obsessively rewatch certain films — the ones that gave me a sense of hope deep inside.

6. How many stories have you written?

I worked on this script casually in my spare time over the past three years. Yes — I believe a draft needs to sit and “mature” a bit before you lock in the final version.

7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?

Many — not quite a hundred, but definitely a lot.

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

The most frustrating thing is when the story just keeps bouncing around in your head — especially when something isn’t clicking. You end up feeling like you’re living for days in a parallel universe… it can be exhausting.

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

Mens sana in corpore sano, as the ancients said. I stay active — I play sports and also spend time on music.

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

I picked the festival that felt closest to the spirit of my script. I wanted feedback from people who could appreciate the nuances — in short, from the right audience.

11. What movie have you watched the most times in your life?

I’m not completely sure, but if it wasn’t *Superman (1978), it might’ve been The NeverEnding Story

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

Well, beyond the story itself, if cinema aims to educate as well as entertain, then it’s always valuable to deliver a message — like a warning to stay alert. And there’s also a more hidden message: that a truly repentant heart can find redemption.

Mitchell Parkins is a 34 year old young man with a baby on the way, and a gender reveal party imminently closing in. Unfortunately, he’s cursed. Going back hundreds of years, any time a Parkins finds out the gender of their child is a boy before it’s born, they die on their 35th birthday. Worse, for Mitchell, is that his birthday isn’t until after the Gender Reveal Party. Can Mitchell defeat the Parkins curse and enjoy the party with his wife, or is another Parkins child doomed to grow up without a father?

Narrator: Steve Rizzo
Mitchell: Geoff Mays
Doug: Shawn Devlin

Get to know the writer:

1. What is your screenplay about?
Gender Reveal’s underlying theme is about how growing up without a father can create a lot of fears around fatherhood. It’s a comedy film based somewhere between reality and the supernatural, but with grounded characters that are “experiencing” more than they are leading. As things are set in motion, the film strives to drive home the point that sometimes just actually caring and trying is enough.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?
Comedy, Supernatural, Parenthood

2. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
I believe that the key to good comedy is to be out there with it while also having some kind of wholesome takeaway.
There’s not enough comedy films with black leads that are both mature in content but wholesome in messaging.

3. How would you describe this script in two words?
Fast Funny

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

5. How long have you been working on this screenplay?
A little over 4 months now.

6. How many stories have you written?
A few shorts and now 3 features.

7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?
I had already written and filmed a comedy pilot, but with the current state of the industry, pitching a pilot for a comedy series didn’t seem to be the move.
I wanted to try and tackle a long-form comedy script because at least if I can make it, it will find a platform.

8. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
Well honestly there’s still a few things to tweak. Minor changes here and there.
Scripts always evolve as you come up with new solutions, or better fixes for little moments.
I think the biggest obstacle was my self doubt of writing.

9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
I’m a director of photography and a big fan of xianxia novels. Weird pairing.
I just enjoy geeking out on the newest camera and lens tech and learning about how to implement it into easier production.

10. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?
I think an important lesson I learned with my comedy pilot that I wrote, was finding the nice balance of “offensive” humor. With comedy, getting input from various sources is really important to see what works, see what doesn’t, and pivot to something better.
I think the feedback was OK. To some degree it’s interesting to see the plot points that are not as obvious in a script reading, that I think visually in filming would be incredibly obvious. It’s hard to create a judgement on that to say what should be fixed or what shouldn’t, but knowing where those “pinch-points” are in the script is important so that with planning we can ensure that either the writing is tweaked to be more obvious, or a note is given to ensure visible storytelling.

11. What movie have you watched the most times in your life?
Zoolander

https://youtu.be/4ptPfx7eLks

When disgraced TV journalist Matthew Coleman is sent to South America for a “where-are-they-now” piece on thirty-three miners rescued from a cave-in a decade ago, he expects an easy fluff assignment. But what begins as a redemption story turns into a chilling investigation, as Matt uncovers a dark secret—the miners never actually returned. With a potent mix of eerie folklore, native mysticism, and psychological unraveling, The Pit blends investigative thriller with supernatural horror as Matt races to expose a truth no one wants revealed.

https://instagram.com/duncanputney

Get to know writer Duncan Putney:

1. What is your screenplay about?

Redemption: For Matt Coleman, for Father Dominic, for Dr Fuentes and even the villagers of Los Santos.
Is a miracle always a miracle?

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

I (and my co-writer Greg) believe that the premise is not rehashed commercial plot lines and that the story works well across cultures. The screenplay sits in the sweet spot of being commercial and unique.

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

Disturbing and Unexpected

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

I watched “Drums Along the Mohawk” and “Northwest Passage” as a kid as I’m a bit of a 18th century American history nerd. So, those two films skew the average. I’m not a binge watcher. It’s great treat to revisit a film that you haven’t seen in a decade or so. You get a different experience that way.

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

I had the idea some years ago when actual mining rescue happened in Chile. I wanted to write a smart script with broad appeal. I made some notes and every so often would revisit the project. I finally sat down to write a first draft during Covid. I got to the point where had a pretty good script, but not a great one, so I brought in my friend Greg Chopoorian to get feedback and to brainstorm with. Working with Greg really helped move the script forward.

6. How many stories have you written?

I have written dozens of screenplays, both short and feature length. I’m always jumping from script to script. If I’m stuck on one project, I jump to another so that I’m making progress and not staring at an empty page.

7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?

I thought of putting an unexpected twist on a real life event and couldn’t get that out of my head until it was written as a screenplay.

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

I would get stuck assembling all the pieces of the puzzle. I wanted every piece of information to pay off and every sub plot to tie into the main plot. Nothing extra and nothing missing.

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

Most recently, I’m passionate bout my fiance, Chelsea, and her two amazing kids. I’ve have produced some award winning short films with my friend Andre Stark, and we’ve created some non-profit projects for the Rhode Island International Film Festival like the Flickers 7DayPSA filmmaker competition in Boston with WCVB-TV5 and the Children’s Hospitals International Film Festival that started with Boston Children’s Hospital that has grown to include more than a dozen children’s hospitals in the US and Canada.

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

Feedback was critical. We were looking for festivals that had judges that really knew the genres and what horror audiences were critical about. We wanted to see if the story would resonate with judges. I actually made a few adjustments to the script based on the initial feedback

11. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Supernatural horror mystery