A Tribute To John Hughes AND some info on upcoming film festivals

There's a few festivals and things that I want to tell you about, but before I do... I'd like to talk a bit about John Hughes, who passed away from a heart attack at the age of 59 yesterday.

Personally, I think it's tough to not credit John Hughes as being one of the most influential comedic filmmakers of all time. For those of us who were raised on 80's films, Hughes WAS comedy. From "National Lampoon's Vacation" to "Planes, Trains and Automobiles", he was responsible for a lot of the films that shaped our generation. I can't tell you how much I quoted movies such as "Weird Science" ("Chet, the name is Chet... and I didn't think it was a whale's dick, honey"), "The Breakfast Club" ("The next time I have to come in here I'm crackin' skulls"), "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" ("Those aren't pillows") and that goes without mentioning "Ferris Bueller's Day Off", "Sixteen Candles", "Uncle Buck" and many, many more. (click here to go to his imdb page) When you look at what he wrote, directed and produced, you realize how much he meant to the world of film comedy and how much he'll be sorely, sorely missed. So, I encourage everyone to dust off their favorite John Hughes film this weekend and sit back and remember just how much he meant to you and your love of film...

There's some upcoming festivals information that I want to pass on to you... now, before you just gloss over this, I'd like to reiterate that even if you don't have a film to enter or you live no where near any of these festivals, you should still go to their sites and check out what they have going on. As I say all the time, the festivals and conventions are really the backbone to the whole indie horror scene and it's good to keep tabs on what's going on. You can see what audiences are interested in and, maybe, get some ideas. That... and I bothered to create the links, so you should use them. Here's some press releases and info that I've recently received.

Vampire Fest 2009 takes place in the beautiful city of New Orleans from October 23 - 26, 2009

Filmmakers have heard our call, and Vampire Fest has already received submissions from the United States and around the world. Vampire Fest has a number of activities planned—feasts for the mind as well as the eyes—including a literary panel hosted by writer Gabrielle Faust and events around the Vieux Carré and the Garden District. The festival will screen an international slate of vampire and gothic features and shorts and include costume parties, fashion shows and performance artists. Vampire Fest is proud to call its home New Orleans with its fabulous nightlife, Gothic architecture, international cuisine, voodoo history, beautiful necropolises, and the birthplace of jazz and Anne Rice. Submissions Are Still OPEN

Vampire Fest is seeking narrative or experimental films of all lengths that emphasize the grotesque, mysterious or desolate. Since the legends of the werewolf and other supernatural creatures are interconnected with that of the vampire, Vampire Fest also accepts films of the Gothic, zombie, werewolf, witch or ghost genre.

Filmmakers can submit online at vampirefilmfestival.com or at withoutabox.com until September 16, 2009.

Fright Night Film Fest presents the 7 Day Film Fest and I'm not giving you much notice on it, but check it out... what have you got to lose?

Alright all you filmmakers get ready for one of the funniest times you'll ever have making a movie. The 7 Day Film Fest was created in 2007 to satisfy all of the crazy filmmakers who love to be busy. The 7 Day Film Fest is a film fest within a Larger Film festival.

This is how it works. On August 7th (that's today) you will go frightnightfilmfest.com to the 7 day film fest page. After you arrive on the 7 day page, you will sign up for the fest my submitting your email and paying by paypal or submitting a check to the address below before August 13th. All teams of filmmakers or single filmmakers can sign up for the event.

You must use the elements that you receive in the email. You will be notified by email. NO EMAIL, NO PLAY. SORRY!! It's that simple.

Lastly, I recently mentioned a site called PutItOn.com, the home to the undiscovered artist. Well, they're putting on a film festival called the "Put It On Picture Show", here's some info.

Budding filmmakers can upload their films to Put It On with the hopes of winning a free scholarship to the New York Film Academy and a cash prize of $5,000 USD in one of three categories. The festival will run from July 30 and closes for entries on November 26. Internet voting will continue until December 17, and winners will be selected and announced on January 7, 2010.

The first round of the competition for best feature film and best short film will be decided by a global Internet vote, which will narrow the entries to a list of the top 10 finalists per category. At the second and final stage of the competition, the finalists for these two categories will be judged by a panel made up of one member of The New York Film Academy, Max Fraser (co-founder of Put It On), and an industry professional yet to be named. The award for best achievement in acting will be decided separately by the panel of judges, with all submissions automatically entered for consideration.

Put It On is accessible in 10 languages and was created to help unknown artists take their work from the “garage” to the global marketplace where fans can connect with them directly. Leveraging an online platform for showcasing and marketing art, music, fashion and film, PutItOn.com helps undiscovered artists from around the world become both artistically and financially successful.

A Couple Of Competitions: The Ultimate Filmmaker Competition and The 13th Annual Slamdance Feature Screenplay Competion

You may or may not have noticed that I didn't post anything yesterday. Truth be told, I'm taking on a bit more work these days and my Thursday mornings are now shot. It's little side projects, but it's extra cash. So, I'll take it. Anyhow, what's pertinent to you and what I find funny is the fact that, when I was film school, parents, friends and, well, a lot of people, told me that the skills I was getting wouldn't have much real world merit. Like, if filmmaking doesn't work out, then what? Well, regardless, I got into marketing and advertising, but still write and make short films in my spare time (which is nominal these days) and I'm finding that filmmaking skills are actually quite useful. Why? Well, I deal with numerous businesses of varying sizes and having things like a social networking presence, full with photo's, video's and all that has become standard marketing fare. Plus, everyone wants (needs) to have short films made for their website. I mean, every company should have a dynamic webpage. So, check this out. If you're an indie filmmaker, I hope you know how to make a sharp short film. Also, chances are you're pretty f'ing good with a still camera... you probably spend a lot of time on Myspace, Facebook and reading blogs. You know your way around editing software. You can write. All of a sudden, you've got skills that almost every business needs, even though a lot of business don't know they need them quite yet. Somewhere in that clutter is where I'm finding a few side jobs and, maybe, you can, too. And side jobs are good because they pay you in money. And money is good.

There's a couple of competitions coming up, both are very cool... especially if you're into screenwriting. The first one, The Ultimate Filmmaker Competition, will require some screenwriting skills, but you need to be a filmmaker at heart. The other competition, The Slamdance Feature Screenplay Competition, is straight screenwriting, baby. Both look awesome and we'll take a closer look at each of them...

The Ultimate Filmmaker Competition is a dynamic filmmaking competition offering one visionary filmmaker a six-figure production grant and distribution deal. I've always liked competitions like this, it's like winning the lotto or something. It's sponsored by Canon, Final Cut Pro, NeoFlix, MovieMaker Magazine, Final Draft, and Filmmakers Alliance, which is a good group of sponsors. What's also really cool is that you don't need much to enter. To apply, you only need a one-page synopsis, 250 word "Why I Am a Filmmaker" essay, and a filmmaker resume. Ain't too hard. You can get that together in a few days. Fuck, I think I'm going to do it just for shits and giggles.

Everyone who enters gets a one year membership to Filmmakers Alliance Global, which is launching with this competition. The First Place winner receives, at minimum, a $200,000 USD cash production grant along with an additional $300,000 in resources to turn their proposal into a script and then into a film. The winning filmmaker will also receive a Canon HD camera, production software, and development and production guidance. And it doesn't stop there; the film will be heavily promoted, will premiere at a major film festival, and will be distributed on multiple platforms simultaneously - theatrically, on cable, and on the net - for maximum international exposure. How's that? Go check it out...

Tough act to follow, but for all you screenwriters out there, you should also be considering, one of my favorites, the 13th Annual Slamdance Feature Screenplay Competition, which boasts a great track record of success discovering and supporting emerging screenwriting talent and launching writing careers.

There's piles of success stories out of Slamdance and they're always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to assist emerging artists. This year, Slamdance has teamed with Upload Films to produce the year's prize-winning low budget feature screenplay. The top cash prize is $5000 USD, and finalists receive writer-friendly perks and goodies such as eligibility in the WGA's Independent Writers Caucus, Final Draft software, InkTip membership, Slamdance Film Festival passes, and more. Slamdance's top scripts are often requested by studios, production companies, management companies, and agencies, so finalists often secure representation and sought-after industry exposure.

That's all I've got for this week, folks. Have a great weekend, see you next week!

Film Fest Updates - PAGE Screenwriting Awards, Dragon*Con and The Spooky Movie Film Festival

Well, another drunken weekend passes and it's time to sober up and get to work... so, here's a screenwriting competition, a convention and a film festival to consider.

PAGE International Screenwriting Awards - I've mentioned these guys before, mainly because I think they're one of the better screenwriting contests out there, and, to really quickly tell you a bit about them, there's plenty of success stories, you get to have pro's give you feedback on your script and they have winners in all categories... so, it's a pretty good deal. There are a lot of iffy screenwriting competitions out there, but this isn't one of them. Also, I like stuff like this because filmmaking is a collaborative effort, you're out there with a bunch of people and you're making something. Screenwriting, a lot of the time, is done by yourself in a dark, dingy room and you're drunk. Well, I'm usually drunk when I write, but the 'alone' and 'in the dark' is usually true for everyone. So, to actually get feedback, feel like you're part of something and to enter a contest can be gratifying. Also, knowing there's a deadline for something can actually light a fire under your ass and get you writing. ANYHOW, PAGE just announced their semi-finalists for their 2008 awards, here's a link to the list. You can't enter for the 2009 competition yet, but you can start writing for it... they'll accept entries in December. ..and don't worry, Dead Harvey will keep you posted.

Dragon*Con - Everyone's probably hung over from Comic-Con in San Diego still, but let's not forget about Dragon*Con, which is coming up real soon. Here's a link to the Dragon*Con site. You see, where as Comic-Con gets all the press, Dragon*Con is actually the largest multi-media, popular culture convention focusing on Sci-Fi and Fantasy, gaming, comics, literature, art, music and film in the U.S. It's held Labor Day weekend (August 29 - Sept 1) in Atlanta, Georgia.

Spooky Movie Film Festival - Well, I covered a screenwriting contest and a convention... so, I better mention a film festival. Actually, October's rolling around fairly soon and that's when you get piles of horror festivals, including Shriekfest, Eerie Horror Fest, Hollywood Horror, Sci-Fi and Fantasy Fest, among others. All of which are outlined in our "horror film festivals" section, feel free to check that out. However, I'm going to mention the Spooky Movie Film Festival that takes place in Fairfax, Virginia October 16 - 19, only because I just came across it. You can currently submit your film and they accept all shorts to features. They are currently a non-competitive festival, but they're partnered with FCC-TV, Artomatic and others, so you'll get a lot of exposure. Here's a link to their site.

Alright, now go get something done this week...

EXCLUSIVE DEAD HARVEY INTERVIEW with PAUL CAMPION, writer/director of "Night of the Hell Hamsters" and "Eel Girl"

Another Dead Harvey Exclusive... this time, Brad speaks with up and coming writer/director Paul Campion about his two award winning short films, "Night of the Hell Hamsters" and "Eel Girl".

Brad Paulson - I received two awesome movies from New Zealand director, Paul Campion: "Night of the Hell Hamsters" and "Eel Girl". Since I've received these films I've shown them to numerous friends over beers. I don't want to give any spoilers away, I'll just say that when I see a movie where a hamster gets possessed, talks like a psychotic member of Alvin and the chipmunks and attacks crotches with bloody veracity, I just get all warm and fuzzy and want to share it with the world. And then there's, "Eel Girl". Now that's a movie that stays in your mind after you watch. So, do yourselves a favor and check out Campion's films. Dead Harvey guarantees you will not be disappointed. Enjoy the interview.

DH: "Night of the Hell Hampsters" was awesome. gory and funny. It had the feel of Peter Jackson's older, more ballsy work: aka "Bad Taste" and "Meet The Feebles". What was the inspiration for this film as well as, "Eel Girl"?

PC: Hell Hamsters started out as an idea for the 48hour Film festival in New Zealand. We were brainstorming ideas for different genres, and I came up with the idea of the babysitter and her boyfriend fooling around with the occult and summoning up a demon which possesses the family hamsters, which we were going to do with just socks and red beads for eyes. We didn't get to make the film in the festival so I just developed the idea afterwards. The rest of the story really revolved around that scene where the boyfriend is being viciously attacked by the hamster in his pants. I thought it would be hilarious if the only way to save him was to kick him in the nuts. Those two ideas were the basis of the whole plot, and myself and Mike Roseingrave and Hadyn Green, the other two writers just built the story around that, with the intention of making it as entertaining, gory and fun as possible.

The inspiration for Eel Girl came entirely from the music. Friends of mine own a small record label called Superglider and that was one of the songs on an album of theirs. I was listening to it one day and thought it was quite an interesting track, and just started getting ideas for the eel girl in that weird room from the music. The entire film was always meant to be about those visuals combined with the music.

DH: Who are the filmmakers that have inspired you the most and why?

PC: Well, there are so many, but Ridley Scott first and foremost. His visual style for me is second to none; Sam Raimi and Guillermo Del Toro - I love their comic book style - Hell Hamsters was very much meant to be similar in style to Evil Dead 2 and Blade 2 and I'm particularly a fan of Guillermo Del Toro's use of makeup effects; Peter Jackson of course, particularly for Brain Dead and obviously Lord of the Rings, which I worked on; Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese- possibly the two greatest filmakers of all time - the way they tell the story with the camera is incredible, and Stanley Kubrick, everything about his films is so incredibly meticulous.

DH: How would you describe your individual style?

PC: I've only made two short films so I'm not sure I've found it yet, but for now I'd like to think of it as good visuals, use of practical effects and makeup combined with a bit of CGI here and there, and overall just entertaining storytelling.

DH: What is your particular method of directing? Any tips?

PC: Yes, lots of preparation, and surround yourself with the most experienced cast and crew you can find and just give them the freedom to do what they do best - it makes the directors job so much easier!

DH: When you wrote, "Eel Girl" and "Hell Hampsters" were you always intending to direct them?

PC: Yes, absolutely, they were always ideas that I wanted to put on film, there was never any intention for someone else to direct them.

DH: How different were the two shorts you made from their scripts? Did everything that you intended to get on the screen end up on the screen? If there's anything different, why?

PC: I think they're pretty much exactly what was written and planned. The difference is that before you start making the film you have a perfect vision of what you want the film to be, but because of the limits of budget and time you never really get exactly what you've got in your head, you have a limited budget and you can only make what you can afford. But the thing I find really interesting is through the collaborative process of making a film you end up with something different and better at the end. It's still the directors vision, but it's the directors vision made with the input of a lot of other very talented people

DH: What was the budget for both movies and how did you secure financing?

PC: (I'd prefer not to talk about exact figures if that's ok?) A friendly bank manager and an even friendlier visa card! The only way both films were made was with a lot of support from the cast and crew who all gave up their time for free. Eel Girl probably wouldn't have happened without the incredible support from Richard Taylor and Weta Workshop.

DH: What did you shoot on and how long of a shoot was it for each movie?

PC: Hell Hamsters was shot on Digibeta and the shoot took 3 days, which I now know is a ridiculously short time to shoot a 15 minute film. Ideally you want to be shooting 2-3 pages of script per day, and we were shooting 5 pages plus makeup effects, puppets and visual effects, but in the end I think the energy that went into that insane shooting schedule ended up with what you see in the finished film.

Eel Girl was a slightly easier affair in that we were only shooting 5 pages of script in 3 days and there was only a tiny bit of dialogue. We were also shooting on a set, so we had much more space and control of the whole environment, plus a larger crew. However Eel Girl was shot on 35mm so that generally takes more time than shooting on tape. A huge amount of time was spent prepping the Eel Girl shoot, so on the day although it was still hard work and stressful, but generally the whole thing went very smoothly, and we even finished a few hours early on the last day.

DH: After it's all said and done, what would you have done differently on one or both movies?

PC: On Hell Hamsters perhaps a longer shoot time might have been less exhausting, but I'm not sure it would have made the film any better, as all the energy of the crazy shoot ended up in the film. On Eel Girl, I'd have liked to have added a bit more detail into the sets, and shot more coverage so we had more to play with in the edit, but that was just a time and money issue like any film.

DH: How's the distribution going? Any lessons learned there? Anything you can pass on to other indie filmmakers who've just finished a film?

PC: Hell Hamsters has just been picked up for distribution by Canadian company Ouat! Media, and Eel Girl is just starting to hit the festival circuit and has already picked up one award. As far as advice goes, if you want people to see your film, you have promote it and get it into film festivals. It's a huge amount of work but it's just all part of the job of filmmaking. We have websites and myspace pages for both films and we keep them regularly updated.

DH: What's next? Do you have any more projects in the works?

PC: Yes, definitely! Myself and Producer Elisabeth Pinto are currently developing two feature films. The first is called Lore of the Jungle written by UK script writer Paul Finch. I can't reveal much about the story yet but it's set in London and involves black magic and re-animated corpses and it's designed to be a very fun entertaining Evil Dead 2/Dusk Till Dawn style film.

The other project is Terminal, which is a supernatural bank heist thriller, based on the novel by US horror author Brian Keene. We've been writing the script for that ourselves.

We took both projects to the Cannes film festival this year and got a lot of interest so we're currently trying to trying to raise financing for both.

For more information on Night of the Hell Hamsters, you can go to the site here or its Myspace page here. For more information on Eel Girl, you can go to the site here or its Myspace page here.

"Conjurer" Screenings

Clint Hutchison, the director of, "Conjurer" sent us info. on his upcoming screenings. Dead Harvey says, check it out!

World Premiere Screening

Dances With Films

Tuesday, July 29 @ 2:45pm

Laemmle Sunset 5 Theatre

8000 W. Sunset Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90046

Tickets & info: www.danceswithfilms.com

Action on Film International Film Festival

Wednesday, July 30 @ 8:00 pm

Laemmle One Colorado Theatre

42 Miller Alley

Pasadena, CA 91103

Tickets & info: www.aoffest.com

Tickets can be purchased through the festivals' websites, or at the box office.

Also, check out our new CONJURER website: www.conjurer-movie.com

Film Fest Friday - Fantasia and some other updates...

You know, we're loyal guys over here at Dead Harvey and we're always trying to help out. If we've covered a film or talked to a filmmaker, we tend to follow them to see what they're up to, check in once in a while and do what we can to support them. So, we checked in with Jason Noto, the guy behind "Butcher's Hill", to see how it was going. If you remember, they had shot a kick-ass short film that was to be entered in festivals and he planned to use that short to get financing for a feature, based on that short. Here's a link to our original post where you can read about it, check out the trailer and everything. It just screened at the Dead by Dawn festival to a packed theater and it's recently been picked up to be screened at the upcoming Fantasia festival, as well... so, this is actually going to work out as a great segue because I was planning on talking about Fantasia this week, anyhow. In any case, good work Jason and we look forward to seeing the feature...

Fantasia started in 1996 by screening Asian films and anime and they promptly expanded into genre films from around the world and, since then, have grown into one of North America's largest genre festivals, featuring many North American premeires. It's also a place where films may screen in pre-final-cut condition, just to be there, find distributors or build buzz. Unfortunately, they're no longer accepting submissions for the 2008 festival, but it's a great festival for networking and, well, just seeing some cool shit. It takes place July 3 - 21 this year and you can find more information on what it's all about at their website.

Also, I've got some new festivals to add to the listings and a few updates:

We've got the new dates for Shockerfest, which is entering its 4th year. It's going to be held October 3-5, 2008 at the Galaxy 12 Theatre in Riverbank, CA. They are currently accepting submissions in three genres: Horror, Sci-Fi and Fantasy and will take mini-shorts, shorts and features. Here's a link to the entry form on their site.

Not sure how this one snuck past us, but we just found out about Thriller! Chiller!, which takes place October 23rd - 26th at the Wealthy Street Theatre in Grand Rapids, MI. They are currently accepting submission, you can register through Withoutabox here. They give out awards such as: best feature, best short, best fx, best one-liner, best student film, best "thrill" and best "chill".

Lastly, because it's in the comment section, I'm going to add Sci-Fi-London, which will be taking place in April of 2009. Sorry, I just missed the last one... this is more exclusively sci-fi than it is horror, if you couldn't tell from it's name. However, sci-fi and horror are pretty closely linked, so we'll give it it's due. The festival started primarily because there wasn't anywhere for low-budget, interesting or foreign science fiction films. Its purpose is to show films that you're not likely to see in the UK at all, or that are going to be difficult to get hold of. They're not accepting submissions now, you've gotta wait until October...

Film Fest Friday - Fantastic Films Weekend, Phoenix Fear Fest and updates from PAGE

I've got a couple things going on here for Film Fest Friday. First up, I've got a bunch of info on the upcoming, 7th Fantastic Films Weekend that takes place in Bradford, West Yorkshire. Now, for all of us over here in North America, we shouldn't overlook festivals that are in the UK or elsewhere overseas... it may not be easy to attend, but you can definitely submit your films. As for North American festivals, I just found out the new dates for the Phoenix Fear Fest... and, there's some success stories from the PAGE Screenwriting Awards.


The 7th Fantastic Films Weekend 2008 starts on Friday, June 13th and ends Sunday, June 15th and the venue, as always, is the National Media Museum, based in Bradford, West Yorkshire. They sent out a big email and here's who's going to be there and what's going to screen...

We are delighted to be able to confirm the final Guest of Honour line-up at this year’s FFW. Back by popular demand is Robert Fuest, who was a big hit back in 2006 when we screened And Soon the Darkness and The Final Programme. This year we’ll be absorbing ourselves in the wonders of his Phibes films. Peter Duffell joins us for a screening of his Amicus anthology The House That Dripped Blood and jetting in from Belgium will be Harry Kümel, the maestro behind Daughters of Darkness and Malpertuis. Both films are playing during FFW. Finally, meet the team responsible for Tigon’s Blood on Satan’s Claw. Director Piers Haggard – grandson of H. Rider Haggard - will be appearing alongside Robert Wynne-Simmons, who wrote the script. Yes, we would like to include Angel Blake herself, aka Linda Hayden, in the line-up. No, we haven’t got her. All guests appear subject to work (and other) commitments. Unfortunately, Jimmy Sangster has been forced to withdraw due to ill health. We wish him well. And Jenny Agutter has sent her apologies as filming on her new TV series means she will be working over the weekend.

Here's what's playing on each day of the festival:

Friday: Brain Dead TBC, Count Dracula (Pt 1), The Nightmare Man (Pt 1), Spine Tingler!, Vampire Diary, Schalcken the Painter, Black Christmas, Vigilante, Outland 70mm, An American Werewolf in London, The Mist, Val Lewton: The Man in the Shadows

Saturday: ...And Now the Screaming Starts!, Scars of Dracula, Maelstrom (Episode 2), The Abominable Dr. Phibes, Malpertuis, The Day of the Triffids (Pt 1), Dr. Phibes Rises Again!, Z for Zachariah, Savage Streets, Screentalk: Robert Fuest, Poltergeist 70mm, The House That Dripped Blood, Screentalk: Peter Duffell, The Thing 70mm + intro by John Carpenter

Sunday: Cat People, The Most Dangerous Game, Short Films, Dracula (digital), Chiller: Toby, Blood on Satan's Claw, Children of the Stones: Into the Circle, Grindhouse double-bill, Frankenstein, Screentalk: Piers Haggard + Robert Wynne-Simmons, Daughters of Darkness, Terminator 2: Judgement Day 70mm, Screentalk: Harry Kumel, Hell's Ground

In addition there will be daily screenings of I Am Legend at 8.30pm in the IMAX auditorium.

Also, they are already accepting entries for FFW 2009. Filmmakers with new films that fit the themes of the Fantastic Films Weekend are encouraged to submit their work for consideration. The FFW accepts live action, animation and documentary films in both short and feature-length formats.

For more information on the festival, the films in the festival and how to submit your film for next years festival, you can go to their website. The also have a Facebook fans page.


The Phoenix Fear Festival is now scheduled for Saturday, August 30th... Here's some info from their website:

We're back!!! After the great success of our first event - and after a few setbacks (our scheduled 2007 venue closed), plus an appropriate period to recover! - we're delighted to announce the second incarnation! Bigger! Gorier! Saturday-er! We're moving to the Chandler Cinemas, and this time, we've moved to the weekend proper, by popular demand.

We just issued our first call for entries, so we'll soon begin the task of sorting through the films, both feature and short, to see what gems we can find. We're already looking forward to the event, and have a lot of exciting plans in prospect. Stay tuned here for more info...

For more information on the Phoenix Fear Fest, you can go to their website.


Finally, some news from the PAGE International Screenwriting Awards that might get you off your ass and start writing...

My favorite days here at the PAGE Awards are those when I get to announce good news from our winning screenwriters. So today is a great day! As you know, the PAGE International Screenwriting Awards competition has earned a reputation for discovering and promoting some of the most talented new screenwriters from across the country and around the world. Many of our winning writers are now building careers in the industry:

24 PAGE Award winners have optioned or sold their winning scripts
12 PAGE Award winners have acquired representation
11 PAGE Award winners have landed screenwriting assignments
10 PAGE Award winners have movies or television shows in production, aired or released

In the latest news…
Legendary producer Fred Roos (THE GODFATHER, APOCALYPSE NOW, LOST IN TRANSLATION) has signed on to produce Dylan Costello’s 2005 Bronze Prize-winning feature CORONADO. Anne Goursaud is attached to direct. The 2007 Gold Prize-winning drama SLUGGER, by Jimmy Miller, has been optioned by Barn Door Pictures. Acclaimed actress/director Mary Stuart Masterson (FRIED GREEN TOMATOES, BENNY & JOON, DIGGING TO CHINA) is attached to direct. The 2006 Silver Prize-winning family film I’LL BE YOUR BEST FRIEND, by Jennifer Boch-Wawrzyniak, has been optioned by producer Julie Richardson (COLLATERAL, THE MIDNIGHT MAN) and Imaginarium Entertainment. And the new short film DOUBLE, by 2005 Gold Prize winner Keith Ray Putman, is currently screening in the Short Film Corner at the Cannes Film Festival. The psychological thriller was written and directed by Putman and stars Avery Clyde (“Dawson’s Creek,” “N.C.I.S.,” “Medium”).

We're extremely proud of these talented writers, and we're very excited about our fifth anniversary competition. This year our judges will once again present 31 awards in ten different categories. The winning writers will receive over $30,000 in cash and prizes, including a $10,000 Grand Prize, as well as extensive publicity and industry exposure for their winning scripts. If you've already entered this year's contest, thank you for the opportunity to read your work! Our judges tell us that they’ve already read some wonderful screenplays and they’re very excited about sending them up to the next round of judging. If you haven't yet entered our 2008 contest, we’re offering you one last chance to submit your script. Our Final Entry Deadline is Saturday, May 31st. But this is your last chance to enter this year’s contest. In order to be eligible for our 2008 Awards, your entry must be postmarked or submitted online by midnight Saturday, May 31st. We'll be announcing this year’s Semi-Finalists on August 1st. Finalists will be posted on September 1st. And the 2008 PAGE Award Winners will be announced on October 1st. Will your name be on that list?

For more information on the PAGE International Screenwriting Awards, you can go to their website.