2003 Film Festival Screenplay Award Winners
SCREENPLAY WINNERS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 7TH ANNUAL RHODE
ISLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
PROVIDENCE, RI (September 12, 2003)
The Rhode Island International Film Festival
presented by BROOKS Pharmacy, is pleased to announce
the winners for this year's fourth annual Screenplay
Competition. 217 screenplays were received for this
year's event from all over the world. The jury composed
of industry professionals, screenwriters ,and members
of the general public found their work challenging and
exciting as they discovered this year's winning screenplays.
After careful review of each entrant, one Grand-Prize
winner was selected along with three First Prize winners
and three finalists.
The Grand-Prize winner for 2003 is called "The
Imperfect Cell" by Lance Hammer of Los Angeles,
California. The plot centers on extraordinary relationship
between a young composer and an aging Los Angeles waiter
allowing both to face a past steeped in disillusion.
According to George T. Marshall the RIIFF Executive
Director, "We are delighted to honor Lance Hammer
for his exceptional screenplay. It's thoughtful, surprising,
sometimes dark, and ultimately hopeful.
"This was a strong year for screenplays. We received
217 entries and what we have found with this competition
is that entrants come from all over the globe. Reading
a script from Australia or Italy makes you appreciate
the universality of this medium."
"Our panel of judges were greatly impressed with
the power of Lance Hammer’s story and quality
of his writing, " said Tatiana Swancy, co-director
of the RIIFF Screenplay Competition."While a tough
call given so many exceptional screenplays submitted
this year, the selection of "The Imperfect Cell"
was a unanimous call for the Grand Prize."
"Screenplays were judged on creativity, innovation,
vision, originality and the use of language," said
Patrick Moran, co-director of the RIIFF Screenplay Competition."For
our judges, the key element was communication and how
it complemented and would be transformed by the language
of film."
The Grand-Prize winner will receive a cash and prizes
of worth over $6,000 include a full Scholarship at the
RIIFF Master Class on Production, Take 1-2-3: Filmmaking
with the Pros (to be held in late July/early August
2004); the production of segments from the screenplay
which will also be used as a case study during 2004
Master Class; work in advance with the visiting director
for the 2004 Master Class on the segments to be shot
plus revisions; Participation in the Dailies and Editing;
Involvement with Casting; a Staged Reading at the 2004
RIIFF Festival; Round-trip travel; Hotel Accommodations
for up to three nights; Select meals or cash stipend;
the latest version Final Draft Screenplay Software;
a copy of Field's Screenwriting Workshop; Two all-access
VIP Passes to the RIIFF 2004; a complimentary Subscription
to Screenwriter Magazine; and promotion through the
Writer’s Script Network.
“The Screenplay Competition is an integral part
of the Rhode Island International Film Festival,”
added Moran. “Our approach is a bit different
since we work with the winners and actually produce
segments of the screenplay as part of the top prize.
The winning screenwriter is given formal recognition
at the Opening Night Gala of each year’s RIIFF,
thus solidifying our respect for this often overlooked
discipline.”
The winner of last year's Grand Prize was "Checkpoint"
by Timothy Jay Smith from Delaware. His screenplay was
a timely drama set in the Middle that follows an American
photojournalist, an Israeli war hero and a Palestinian
farmer as their lives intertwine. He attended the 2003
RIIFF and saw elements of his screenplay shot on Sony
HD 24 fps equipment at the High Output Studios in Canton
MA. The visiting guest director was Lloyd Kaufman, the
indie guru whose industry vita includes many legendary
indie films and being President/CEO of Troma Industries.First
Prize winners of the Competition who will receive software
from Final Draft and/or copies of Syd Field's Screenwriting
Workshop along with subscriptions to Screenwriter Magazine.
Additionally as part of the awards for the RIIFF Screenplay
Competition, top winning contestants will receive from
Writers' Network: An e-mail announcement about their
winning screenplay to about 6, industry professionals;
plus other benefits including placement of their logline
and synopsis on the WSN password protected web site;
and a logline (pitch) for their winning screenplay in
their printed publication.
The winners of the 2003 Screenplay Competition
are as follows:
Grand-Prize:
"The Imperfect Cell"
Lance Hammer, Los Angeles, CA
First-Prize:
"Bach Double"
Barbara Marshall, Austin, TX
"The End of Grace"
Nicholas Katsapetses, San Francisco, CA
"Rebels and Roses"
Ellen Maria Gavin, Venice, CA
Finalists:
"The Connection"
Robin Catalano, Stephentown, NY
"Portrait in Clearing"
Wrenn Bartlett, Manchester, MA
"Pray for Rain"
Michael Gray, St. Paul, MN
The Call for Entries to the 2004 RIIFF Screenplay Competition
has just been announced. Entries can be found on-line
at the Festival web site www.RIFilmFest.org. The deadline
for entries is June 1, 2004. Winners will be announced
Labor Day Weekend 2004.
The Rhode Island International Film Festival, now in
its seventh year, is created and produced by the Flickers
Arts Collaborative. Brooks Pharmacy is the Sponsor.
Michel Coutu, President/CEO of Brooks Pharmacy is the
Festival Honorary Co-Chairman along with Rhode Island
Governor Donald Carcieri and Providence Mayor David
Cicilline. Michael Drywa, Esq. is the RIIFF Board President.
RIIFF will take place August 10-15, 2004
in historic Providence, and throughout state of Rhode
Island. For more information about programming and scheduling
visit the web site or call the Festival office at 401-861-4445.
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