The screenplay The Sabbath of The Dead follows Rachel, a determined woman, who, along with a group of survivors, faces a zombie apocalypse centered around an abandoned synagogue in Eastern Europe. As the undead rise, Rachel retrieves ancient scrolls and a shofar from the synagogue, initiating a series of rituals to stop the undead threat. The survivors must hold off the zombies long enough to complete a final ritual that aims to banish them for good. The story combines elements of Jewish mysticism, faith, and survival against the odds, culminating in a climactic battle where faith and unity ultimately defeat the undead.

Get to know the writer:

1. What is your screenplay about?
The Sabbath of The Dead is a supernatural horror screenplay set in present-day Eastern Europe, where an ancient battle between the living and the dead unfolds. Rachel, a determined survivor, retrieves a sacred shofar and ancient scrolls from an abandoned synagogue just as the dead begin to rise from a nearby cemetery. Joined by David, Sara, and Jacob, a group of skilled fighters and spiritualists, she must use Jewish mysticism to combat the growing horde of undead—former members of their faith now twisted by an unknown force.

As the group fights for survival, they retreat to a hidden camp and attempt a powerful ritual to banish the undead. With the sound of the shofar and sacred chants, the zombies begin to disintegrate, but a shadowy figure watches from the darkness, hinting that the true evil is yet to be defeated. Blending Jewish folklore, faith, and apocalyptic horror, The Sabbath of The Dead offers a fresh take on the zombie genre, where ancient rituals hold the key to humanity’s survival.

2. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
The Sabbath of The Dead deserves to be made into a movie because it offers a fresh and unique take on the zombie horror genre, blending Jewish folklore, mysticism, and apocalyptic survival. Unlike traditional undead narratives, which often rely on viral outbreaks or supernatural curses, this screenplay introduces faith-based horror, where ancient rituals and sacred objects become weapons against the rising dead. This cultural and spiritual depth adds a layer of originality that sets it apart from standard zombie films.

Visually and thematically, the film has the potential to be both atmospheric and terrifying, with eerie, abandoned synagogues, crumbling cemeteries, and haunting supernatural forces. The action-driven survival elements, combined with deep character dynamics and existential stakes, create a compelling mix of horror, suspense, and heroism. With an increasing demand for diverse storytelling and folklore-driven horror (like The Vigil and His House), The Sabbath of The Dead could resonate with both mainstream horror fans and those seeking something innovative and culturally rich in the genre.

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

4. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?
Brick and Night of the Living Dead

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

6. How many stories have you written?
10-15

7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?
I’ve always been drawn to horror as a way to explore fear, faith, and the unknown, but I rarely saw Jewish folklore and mysticism represented in the genre. That’s what motivated me to write The Sabbath of The Dead—to merge supernatural horror with the rich traditions and spiritual depth of Judaism. I wanted to create a story where survival isn’t just about fighting the undead but about reclaiming lost wisdom and using sacred rituals as weapons against darkness. The shofar, Hebrew incantations, and ancient scrolls aren’t just relics; they’re lifelines in a battle against forces beyond comprehension. By setting the story in eerie, atmospheric locations like abandoned synagogues and forgotten cemeteries, I aimed to craft a haunting, cinematic experience that blends folk horror, survival thriller, and spiritual warfare. More than just a terrifying tale, this screenplay is about resilience, history, and the power of belief—offering a fresh, culturally rich perspective in a genre that thrives on fear of the unknown.

8. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
One of the biggest obstacles I faced in writing The Sabbath of The Dead was finding a way to make it truly unique in a genre oversaturated with traditional zombie and supernatural horror stories. I didn’t want to write just another apocalyptic survival film—I wanted to create something that felt fresh, culturally rich, and deeply rooted in folklore that hasn’t been widely explored in mainstream horror. Balancing authenticity with cinematic horror was a challenge; I had to ensure the spiritual and mystical elements felt organic and powerful, rather than just surface-level decorations.

9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
Sports, Coaching, and Teaching. I also love sports cards and watching movies.

10. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?
I submitted The Sabbath of The Dead to the HORROR Underground Film & Screenplay Festival because of the exposure it could bring, the festival’s prestige, and the incredible opportunity to have my work read and evaluated by horror enthusiasts and industry professionals. Seeing the script come alive for the first time was an unforgettable experience, and the feedback I received was both insightful and invaluable. The festival provided a platform to refine my vision, and the constructive critiques helped me make meaningful edits that strengthened the script. The process not only validated my creative approach but also pushed me to elevate the story, ensuring it was as compelling and unique as possible.

11. What genres does your screenplay fall under?
supernatural horror

Get to know the writer:

1. What is your screenplay about?

The Susurrus is about a dollmaker who starts to date a year after her husband abandoned her. The jump back into the dating scene, and the world at large, proves dangerous, and ultimately, she must decide to keep-on despite the world’s evils, or retreat back to the familiar evils of her solitary life.

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

The Susurrus explores the many forms that abusive relationships take, and how they can be near-impossible to escape from. The subject is unfortunately timeless and universal, across gender, religion, and culture. So, why not now?

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

Creepy and sexy.

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

Probably The Goonies.

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

I’ve been working on this on-and-off for about eight years.

6. How many stories have you written?

I have two as-of-yet unpublished novels, three pilots, four features, and too many short films and short stories to count.

7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?

I watched a creepy story of a man who was obsessed with a woman and when she died, even though he had no rights as a husband or any other relation, he stole her body from her grave and kept it like a doll until he was discovered.

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

The biggest obstacles to finishing the screenplay were time and self-confidence.

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

I love acting and I love directing actors.

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

I was inspired to enter the festival because I thought the idea of a filmed staged reading was exciting. The feedback I received was top tier; inspiring, thorough, and insightful.

11. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

I call it a moral horror: a cross between a psychological thriller and mystery.

Summary: An American footballer has the greatest super human strength and is undefeated on the field. What make him stand out even more is that he had a terrible car accident which could have killed him but surprisingly he survived and is now a force putting his underdog team back on the map. However, a deeper backstory lurks in the shadows and its up to Cali Neal, a new journalist to figure out what’s happening to Robert.

Get to know the writer:

1. What is your screenplay about?

It follows a superhuman football running back, Robert Pettibone, who comes has no past. Unbeknownst to the team, he is secretly receiving treatments to preserve his exceptional strength and agility. He begins to suspect something odd about a doctor administering his shots and begins to question his past and what he’s experiencing, but he is experiencing amnesia. He enlists a new beat reporter, Cali, to help him investigate. As they find out more behind the scenes, it points to some sort of conspiracy. Eventually, he finds out that he was nearly killed in Afghanistan and was kept alive by an experimental surgery.

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

It not only exposes the brutality of football, it illustrates the loss of identity and the ethical view of cloning human beings – how far should we go?

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

Difficult question. I can think of a sentence but at the spur of the moment I’d say, “losing control”

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

There are two that come to mind: Casablanca and Once Upon a Time in the West

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

Two years off and on. Too many revisions to count.

6. How many stories have you written?

I have written six feature screenplays and five short scripts.

7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?

I was initially motivated by being diagnosed with liver cancer and needed to fill a void in my life. However, now, it’s the excitement of creating something from my thoughts. My goal, as is all screenwriters’ goal, is to have one of my screenplays produced. I’m working toward that objective, realistic or not. I simply write because I have always had a passion for writing screenplays or making movies.

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

It’s a very convoluted story that must be pieced together without scenes being inconsistent with each other. I wanted to achieve quite a bit with The Red Zone: develop a plausible relationship between Pettibone and Cali as well as Pettibone and the sympathetic Dr. Meng; convey what is known and not known due to Pettibone’s amnesia and combine it with PSTD; creating a professional football world as well as what takes place behind the scenes with the commissioner; creating the goal for all of the characters involved and how Pettibone’s condition originated; figure out what Dr. Qay wants out of his scheming; etc.
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9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

I read quite a bit, follow professional sports teams in Cleveland and Ohio State, and watch a great deal of movies.

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

I was attracted to the festival because it was specifically looking for Sci-Fi
screenplays. I was overwhelmed by the feedback. It commented positively on what I was trying to achieve.

11. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Science Fiction, Sports and Thriller

Set in 1890, the Greens (the leftist) vs Reds (Right Wing Faction) fighting for control of the government. Lucretia, daugher of a Red falls inlove with Mariano a stage actor who also happens to be a green. Her father forbids her to see him, and orders him to be killed while she is sent to a convent. However, things don’t go as planned and they both end up running for their lives to Spain away from Columbia.

Get to know the writer;

1. What is your screenplay about?
The Dwarf’s Tale explores a difficult theme. It’s about a man in love with a girl who does not see him as a suitor. Painful as that is to him, he is still willing to help her connect with another man, the one she loves, even at the cost of his own life.

2. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
Mostly because The Dwarf’s Tale is a fun movie to watch. There is a circus underlying the whole story. The bearded lady, the strongman and the other performers add a fun side to the story. And of course the setting itself in Colonial Colombia, the jungle, the sea are also visually appealing. It also seems to me to provide a breakthrough role for a talented young actress to play Lucretia. I think the film would have strong appeal to filmmakers and through them to audiences in the four quadrants. This is a classic tale in the vein of pictures like the Hunchback, Pirates of the Caribbean, the Indiana Jones pictures – movies that benefit from exotic settings as well as human interest stories of adventure and romance.

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

4. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?
Tough question. There are movies I’ve seen repeatedly but haven’t kept score. The Blues Brothers, Pirates of the Caribbean, Casablanca, The God Father, Cabaret, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, Patton, West Side Story, So many favorites. These are movies I have and continue to watch.

5. How long have you been working on this screenplay?
Not a long time, I would guess four or five months from start to end. I first drafted a treatment of several pages which I broke into scenes. So it was a fill in the blanks process. I presented select scenes to a small group of novelists and poets I’m in as I went. As long as they continued to think the work was good, I continued until it was written. Since completing the script this past January (typing “the end’) I’ve already written another screenplay.

6. How many stories have you written?
Many. Probably two dozen short plays, five or six feature length stage plays and perhaps a dozen screen plays. Also a novel and two more at various stages. Unfortunately, I’m always into the next project without much effort marketing the last one.

7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?
I’ve traveled to Panama and Colombia and was fascinated by the jungle and the canal. My novel, Culebra Cut, was set during the building of the canal. An actor friend of mine, a Colombian actor who has played in two of my stage plays, had a story about the civil war in Colombia he asked me to read. The Calabacillas character, a dwarf, was in that story. I became interested in the dwarf as it reminded me of the Dumas character. As in the Hunchback of Notre Dame, the girl in my story doesn’t see the dwarf as a man she can love. This was so compelling I drafted the story.

8. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
There was never a question in my mind that I would finish “a” story because I had the whole story in mind when I started to write. In fact, I wrote the last scene first so I knew where it was going. The difficulty was I wanted the last scene at the beginning and the end of the film without giving away the end-end. Even now, I’m not sure that was a good idea.

9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
I have a wide range of changing interests. It’s easier to say what I am not passionate about. (Marketing is certainly one of those). I’m an animal lover, a flaming political liberal, an amateur historian, a lover of music from Nessun Dorma to Iggy Pop and of Brit Box detective stories. Writing and directing for the stage was a real passion but a degenerative disease of the lower back has put the brakes on that. I did most of the black box work in NYC but travelling there has become a real challenge so I’ve stopped, or at least, paused.

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

I was encouraged by a reviewer’s comment to the effect The Dwarf’s Tale had an 18th Century classical literature feel. Who doesn’t want to write a classic? Even before writing I had the feeling a love story about a dwarf in love with a beautiful girl would be a really good tale to tell. When I read “Romance competition” I felt compelled to submit even with the intuition this was not a contemporary story to be received with open arms by TikTok oriented readers. But the postage was cheap.

11. What genres does your screenplay fall under?
I think it crosses into more than one genre. Certainly, it’s a romance. In a larger sense, it’s a multifaceted drama about family conflict, civil war, social injustice, and friendship themes. It’s also an adventure as the lovers and the dwarf flee through the forests from the villainous police chief.

Logline: A young woman struggles with maintaining her relationship with her grandfather as she prepares to go to college.

Get to know the writer:

1. What is your screenplay about?

It’s about an elderly man’s loving relationship with his adult granddaughter that is threatened by life’s priorities and their conflicting views about Jewish identity.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Dramedy (by I’d say it’s primarily a comedy).

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

Even though I began writing this close to five years ago – before the recent and horrifying surge in antisemitism in our country — I think an uplifting, heartwarming, heart-breaking, and (I hope) funny story – replete with universal themes of family, love, forgiveness, and death – might, in some small way, mitigate the rancor and division that we are all currently experiencing.

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

Intergenerational dramedy.

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

Superbad.

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

Close to five years!

7. What is your favorite song?

These Are Days (10,000 Maniacs)

8. How many stories have you written?

One!

9. What motivated you to write this screenplay?

My father-in-law was, simply put, one-of-kind – and perhaps the sweetest, gentlest person I have ever known. He and my daughter had an unusually close bond that transcended the typical grandfather-granddaughter relationship and grew stronger as she became an adult. An illness required him and his wife to move in with us, and that experience offered plenty of material for a screenplay. About five years ago our extended family gathered together on the anniversary of his death, and the wonderful and funny memories started flowing. I knew then I had the story for my script.

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

I’d say two: (1) I have a busy solo law practice, so it was just hard to find solid blocks of time to focus on it; and (2) while I have two wonderful friends who have provided invaluable and thoughtful feedback throughout the process, I don’t have any contacts in the industry who could provide guidance.

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

My family. And I’m working on my golf game!

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

I really liked the positive and encouraging feel to it and the emphasis on feedback. I thought the feedback was thorough, honest, and supportive. I am very grateful for this opportunity!

BUY Book: https://www.amazon.ca/Spidersilk-Akutra-Ramses-Atenosis-Cea/dp/1990695183

With an imaginative technical view on the mechanics of time and space, Akutra weaves a schematic of logic that explores the fringes of reality in ways that are within the realm of the possibility and reality. Creating a rich story where one can reach out and touch the possibilities.

Get to know the writer:

1. What is your screenplay about?

Spidersilk tells the story of a tech developer whose father has recently passed away, leaving him on a quest for answers. Mark’s deep engagement with quantum mechanics is part of his everyday existence, and while exploring into his abilities of interconnected dreams and distant realms, the stylishly slick Mark Kheops encounters thieving shadowy beings from a realm teetering on the brink of a black hole that poses a threat to everything and everyone he cherishes. Now, Mark must avoid being kidnapped, thwart the unknown agendas of aliens, discover Earth, and uncover the clues hidden within a video game.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

It is Science-Fiction, Adventure, and Mystery where another world seems oddly both alternative and familiar at the same time.

This is real authentic mind-bending sci-fi, it’s not just a setting.

On a scale of 1-10, 10 being soft Science Fiction and 1 being hard Science Fiction, it is probably a 6.
– The story has many scientific principles built into it, and some real events are the basis for various elements. However, for the sake of the story, these are not explained in detail. Additionally, it is told in a fantastical manner.

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

Mind-blowing Dreamscape

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

Bladerunner

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

Off and on for the past three years, about one year was spent on iterations.

6. How many stories have you written?

This is the second story I have completed, but I have several others in the works.

7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?

The story. It is a really good and authentic Science Fiction story, and I feel it would create a very edgy, exciting, mind-expanding, and visual movie.

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

– As a writer, I spent months learning the nuances of screenplay writing.
– Often, when I paid for reviews, the reviewer seemed to have poor comprehension skills, and I did not get constructive criticism.

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

Technology, all forms of technology but mostly computer technology

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

Initially, it seemed possibly another case of poor comprehension, but after closer review, I found some minor details that the reviewer brought to light, allowing me to make the particular elements in question clearer to the reader/audience. Thus, in the end, I was very happy with the feedback since it was constructive.

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

This is a mind-bending, mind-expanding, modern, science fiction adventure that has all the elements to make a great movie intertwined with concepts our society is currently exploring like quantum mechanics and planets around other stars. The scenes and characters present many twists and turns.

Some snippets from readers:

“The author’s ability to create credible characters – borderline or not – and colorful prose make this a novel that is completely immersive.”
“Offering obvious technical knowledge and endless creativity, this is both surreal and oddly grounded in a recognizable world.”
“And from here, you will find yourself on a rollercoaster ride full of adventure.”
“This is the most fascinating sci-fi and imaginary novel that I’ve ever read…There are many turns and twists that made me feel at the edge of my seat all the time.”
“The book opens up our minds to a different understanding of reality.”
“The plot is fascinating and keeps you on the edge of your seat all the time. The author created well-developed characters”
“The author through their remarkable skills has portrayed a world where reality meets fantasy”
“The main character in the story, Mark, is well-developed and presented with an intelligence that is appreciated.”
“the characters. I enjoyed the diverse representation, opposed motivations and the unique voice of each character which give an extra point to the whole work”
“this fast-flowing tale of otherworldly exploration through unspoken powers exists right on the edge of magic and technology”

In the dilapidated streets of Brooklyn, Josh runs a failing employment agency that’s haunted by three ghosts. Josh is reluctantly recruited by them to help solve a series of murders. Of Course, Death’s AKA-Al curiosity is piqued and decides he’s in too.

Get to know the writer:

What’s the screenplay about?

It”s about a guy by the name of Josh, who runs or attempts to run an employment agency in the rough side of Booklyn. Josh’s demeanor on the outside is mild mannered, however, there is another side to him that is better left buried. He is able to see ghosts, for whatever reason, and there are 3 living upstairs who are his friends. Mary, his secretary, likes Josh and although Josh doesn’t show it, he likes her too. The three ghosts, Jazmine, George and Detective O’Shaughnessy, frustrated with their ghost boredom ask Josh’s if they can help somehow solve the crime of the young girls who have gone missing or have been murdered. Reluctantly Josh agrees . As it turns out, Mary can also see ghosts as well to her surprise when she stumble unpon Josh and the ghosts upstairs. To make a long story short, they all embark on plan to save the missing girls, and death, AKA, Al, catches wind and decides to help them as a change of pace. Their adventures begin, Mary winds up getting kidnapped and almost dying, death takes a liking to Jazmine, the Columbian rebels, living under immigrations radar in the area come to help them as well as the Brooklyn Police department. Does everyone live happily ever after? Maybe not, as it turns out Mary works for hell, let me rephrase that, she is the queen of hell, and it’s her job not to let the dogooders do too much good and upset the balance of good and evil. But no one knows Mary’s ulterior motives expect maybe death, AKA, Al.

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

I think if would be fun, feel good movie that everyone could get behind. It’s got laughs, scares, bad guys, good guys, a hero and the girl.

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

Wild ride!

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

That would be Fright Night, the original with Christopher Sarandon

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

About 6 months

6. How many stories have you written?

So far the ones that I have written in the past year and half, The Dream, (Most recent), Josh’s Employement Agency, The Solomon Project and 6 minutes.

7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?

The truth? I was kinda real! I have a type of employment agency, in a large, old blue building. No one uses the upstaris. We have window cleaners come down every so often. One day they literally came running downstairs and said, they weren’t coming back. That there was something not right upstairs and that they felt a unseen presence. We all laughed it off after they left, but then just for the heck of it, I asked it the unseen presence could shut off the coffee pot if I forget. Guess what, they did. That’s when the story began:)

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

I had some professional screenwriter take a look at it. One told me that the title was too long! lol Then of course, I took advice from Wildsound. I have always learned to listen to those who know more.

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

Medicine, nursing, helping people, education, teaching, dancing, paiting, and the Actor Lee Dong Wook. (Let’s pretend I didn’t say that.)

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

Wildsound has clout, respect and has been around for 18 years. That is some serious show business laurels to brag about.I felt if I could impress Wildsound, I had a good chance of impressing others in the industry. Wildsound helped me by giving me some pointers on script revisions which I took seriously and went back to the drawing board in hopes of getting recognized. Looks like it worked.

11. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Mystery, comedy, supernatural