Shore Scripts was founded to help kickstart the careers of screenwriters.
We are extremely proud that our platforms have helped over 100 of our alumni gain representation, option, sell, and have their screenplays produced.
Below is a celebration of some of our writers’ success stories.
JEROME VELINSKY – HIRED
We are pleased to announce that our alumni writer Jerome Velinsky is the head writer on the recently released Eli Roth VR Horror, The Faceless Lady. It’s Meta’s first live-action TV show. Read the Variety article on it. Jerome Velinsky is a multi-award-winning writer, actor, and creator from Australia. His self-penned comedy series, Method, which he also co-directed and starred in, won the Best of Spotlight award at Melbourne WebFest and garnered Jerome an Australian Directors Guild Award nomination. Jerome’s original screenplays have won major awards and he most recently optioned one of his horror screenplays to a prominent U.S. production company. Jerome is of mixed race and is bilingual.
BREA COLA ANGELO – SIGNED
“DEFINITELY NOT A MONSTER’s Top 5 placement in the Shore Scripts Short Film Fund was super encouraging and has helped motivate me to keep grinding and putting my work out there. And what’s more, once I placed as a finalist, Shore Scripts reached out with practical career support and tools, the most helpful of which has been an entrance into a private FB community that provides community and training. I’ll always be grateful for Shore Scripts’ vote of confidence and would definitely recommend their programs to my fellow writers. Thank you to Julia, Justine, and the rest of the Shore Scripts team!”
Brea Cola Angelo placed as a Top 5 Finalist in the Spring 2023 Short Film Fund with her short script DEFINITELY NOT A MONSTER, which she also directed. Later that year, she signed with Cinterra Entertainment where she is now repped as a writer/director.
BRIAN T. ARNOLD – IN PRODUCTION
“It was immediately clear Shore Scripts had a great reputation in the industry and with other writers. I was excited to submit, and still can’t believe I’m lucky enough to call myself a winner.”
We are excited to announce that our 2020 Thriller Feature Winner Brian T. Arnold has been tapped to write the remake of 80s AI classic ELECTRIC DREAMS // READ MORE VARIETY // Brian also placed with another feature that same year and IN THE END is now in development with Sister. Brian is represented by John Zaozirny and Kate Sharp at Bellevue Productions; Sheryl Petersen, Adam Perry, and Halle Mariner at IAG; and Joel VanderKloot at VanderKloot Law.
MRSANDMRTHOMAS – SIGNED & PRODUCED
“Winning Shore Scripts has been a wonderful and career changing experience. It’s opened doors we simply couldn’t have opened ourselves. Shore has shown us that the career we’ve always wanted is possible. It’s a terrific competition that’s well recognised within the industry. Many thanks again for this opportunity.”
We are proud to announce that Mrs&MrThomas’ winning feature screenplay, THE ASSESSMENT (formerly The Assessor,) is going into production starring Alicia Vikander (EX MACHINA, THE DANISH GIRL) and Elizabeth Olsen (AVENGERS, DOCTOR STRANGE.) Fleur Fortune is the Director. // READ MORE // READ VARIETY //. Following their win, our Feature Judge, Oscar-nominated producer Stephen Woolley and his production company Number 9 Films, developed the project with Film4. Dave and Nell also received a paid commission to write the screenplay for THE SECRET INVENTOR’S CLUB from producer Rachel Gold who heard about them through watching their winning video on our website and they signed with our Industry Roster Agents, The Agency.
RACHEL BENAISSA – SIGNED
“After placing as a Top 5 finalist in the Short Film Fund, I really felt looked after by Shore Scripts, there’s great efficiency and follow-up on their part. I had a phone call with the writers’ development team that quickly lead to me being introduced to my new agent – Emily Smith at The Agency. I highly recommend Shore Script for anyone looking to get their career to the next level. Thank you again so much for your help, it’s been a great experience!”
Rachel Benaissa is a French actress and writer, based in London. Rachel’s writing is female-focused, often blending drama with dark humor and finding comedy in the absurdity and challenges of everyday life. Rachel’s television feature for a US network channel is currently filming in Florida and she is developing her short film THE COMMITMENT following its placing as a Top 5 Finalist in the 2022 Shore Scripts Film Fund.
HELENE TAYLOR – SIGNED
“Shore Scripts reached out to me after placing in their contest and provided guidance in ways that gave me confidence in my work and elevated my projects. They stayed in touch for two years, encouraging my progress and circulating my work to managers. I’m grateful for their support during this transition from emerging to a working writer.”
Helene was a 2021 Semi-Finalist for her TV Pilot, THE GRIFTER SISTERS, and has since signed with The Characters Agency. Helene is a cohort of Scripted Series Lab, which provides six TV writers the opportunity to work under Showrunner Michael MacLennan (QUEER AS FOLK) alongside a personal mentor Simon Barry (WARRIOR NUN) to develop her 1-hour drama series, CHRONICLES OF A RADIOACTIVE GIRL SCOUT. Helene’s own company, Orange Knapsack Productions, also received Canada’s Bell Fund to develop 3 of her TV projects in partnership with Elevation Pictures: QUEEN OF TRASH, CHRONICLES OF A RADIOACTIVE GIRL SCOUT, and WEYBURN.
CHELSEA ISABELLA CLARK-JAMES – PRODUCED & HIRED
“I just wanted to thank you again. The support that has come along with winning Shore Scripts has been as impactful as the funding itself. I wouldn’t have gotten into the Sundance Collab without it. Between your team and Maria helping with notes and being available for questions, I feel encouraged and supported to push my growth with this project. I simply wanted to share my gratitude”.
Chelsea was our 2022 SFF1 Grand Prize Winner with her short NON EMERGENCY MEDICAL TRANSPORT which was filmed later that year. Her Short Film Fund win put Chelsea back on the social media radar of an indie director she had previously worked with and she was then hired to write a feature screenplay for him that is scheduled to shoot in 2024.
SARAH JUMA – SIGNED & PRODUCED
Sarah is an ex-investment banker who received her MFA from Loyola Marymount’s School of Film and Television, eight thousand miles from Nigeria, where she was born and raised. She wrote and directed the short TRINKET, a Top 5 Finalist in the 2020 Shore Scripts Short Film Fund, which screened and won awards at Richmond International Film Festival and West African Film Festival. She was named a BAFTA US Newcomer for the 2022 cohort. Sarah is now a working writer in Los Angeles and continues writing dramas that explore the moral dilemmas humans are pushed to in cutthroat worlds where resources are limited and stakes are high. She’s repped by Bellevue Productions & Kaplan Stahler. Read more about Sarah’s journey in Leadership | Watch Trinket on Shortverse
LISA LUEDDECKE – SIGNED
Lisa Lueddecke was the sci-fi winner in the 2021 feature competition with her script EPHEMERAL. Lisa has signed with a management team at Kaplan/Perrone Entertainment.
ALEX LAWTHER
HEATHER HUNTINGTON & DANIELLE EVENSON – PRODUCED
2020 Fiction Podcast Finalists, Heather, and Danielle were approached by podcast company Aural Stories to pitch some ideas for their new startup: podcasts written for women by women. They pitched Up A River which is a rom-com about a woman who goes on a cruise with her favorite romance novelist and then falls in love with the captain. They wrote it in the spring of 2022, directed it and it came out that late summer.
VINCENT DA JANI – OPTIONED
MARY BRONAUGH – STAFFED
Mary was a Shore Scripts 2020 Feature Screenplay Winner with her Best Family Genre script JADE AND THE LEGEND OF THE LOST EMPEROR. She is currently a Staff Writer on Disney Channel’s #1 comedy series Big City Greens, which just announced season 4 and a Disney+ movie musical. She has developed both feature and television projects at Walt Disney Television, NBCUniversal, and Paramount. Most recently, she wrote, directed, and produced an original short called SWEARING as part of Film Independent’s Artist Development Program.
LORNA KING – STAFFED & SIGNED
KRYSTYNA LOBODA – PRODUCED & NBC LAB
Multiple award-winning screenwriter Krystyna Łoboda is a fellow of the 2021 Meryl Streep Writer’s Lab with her sci-fi thriller EIDOLA. Her 2020 Feature Quarter-Finalist sci-fi DOLL went on to earn a finalist placement with NBCUniversal Writer’s Program and has been subsequently optioned. RITES & WRONGS, which placed as a Semi-Finalist in the 2018 Feature Contest and semi-finalist of the Nicholl Fellowship, is now in pre-production as her feature directorial debut starring Ethan Embry, Loretta Devine, and Dean Winters.
ALEX VON HOFMAN – OPTIONED & DEVELOPMENT FUNDING
‘The team at Shore Scripts were the first to recognize the potential of LOCKED IN, and have been a huge support throughout its journey toward production.’
Alex von Hofmann was the third-place winner of the 2017 Shore Scripts Feature competition, with his contained horror/thriller LOCKED IN. LOCKED IN was picked up for a shopping agreement off the back of this win. The screenplay went on to be a finalist in the Australian Monte Miller writing awards and was then optioned by Australian Producer Cathy Rodda (IRON SKY, BULLETS FOR THE DEAD). Alex and Cathy have received development funding to further develop the project and Alex is attached to direct as his debut feature.
TAYLOR ANTHONY HOPKINS – SIGNED
Taylor Anthony Hopkins won the 2021 Shore Scripts Thriller award with the feature screenplay, SCAM. The script is now called DON’T HANG UP. He has since signed with Romark Entertainment and Verve Agency and is currently in negotiations with a production company to film the project.
LINDIWE MAKGALEMELE – SUNDANCE LAB
“I would like to just reiterate my gratitude to Shore Scripts. This isn’t something that I would have believed to be possible and it was entirely enabled by the Short Film Fund. So thank you!” Lindiwe Makgalemele – 2020 Short Film Fund winner Lindiwe Makgalemele has been chosen as a Sundance Ignite Fellow!
The prestigious Sundance program for emerging screenwriters & filmmakers awarded Lindiwe her place after viewing THE TOWN which was awarded production funding from our Short Film Fund. /// READ MORE ///
JOHN BICKERSTAFF – STAFFED
John was a Top 5 Finalist in our Short Film Fund with DUNKED; the story of a closeted teen who takes swimming lessons to prepare for his full-immersion baptism. After writing and directing the tv series GROUNDED for OUTtv, John was snapped up as a staff writer on the Lucasfilm/Disney+ series WILLOW starring Ellie Bamber and Warwick Davis.
STEPHANIE BOLLAG – PRODUCED
“You guys at Shore Scripts were the first to recognize ESTHER IN WONDERLAND. I will forever be grateful fo it.”
We are proud to announce Stephanie Bollag’s ESTHER IN WONDERLAND is an official selection and will premiere at Tribeca 2021. Stephanie’s short took 1st Prize in our 2018 Short Screenplay Competition and tells the story of a Hasidic married young woman who sneaks off to join a crew of female break-dancers.
KIMBA HENDERSON – SIGNED & OPTIONED
Kimba is a Detroit born; San Diego-bred writer who currently calls LA home. She started her career writing for docuseries and true crime shows: IT TAKES A KILLER, ORIGINS, and CORRUPT CRIMES. Her pilot, THE HAIGHT, placed 2nd in the Shore Scripts TV Competition. After back-to-back finalist placements in the ABC/Walt Disney TV Program and Universal Screenwriters Lab, Kimba landed a spot as a TV Drama fellow in the 2023 Fox Entertainment Writers Incubator. /// READ MORE /// Most recently, her international thriller, ANOTHER RIVER, was optioned with Francois Chau and Mena Suvari attached. Kimba is repped by Lit Entertainment.
ASHLEY JAMES LOUIS – PRODUCED
Ashley James Louis’s neo-western thriller THE LAST VICTIM has been picked up for worldwide sale by Concourse Media and was presented at the 2019 American Film Market. The impressive cast attached to the project includes Ron Perlman (Guillermo Del Toro’s Hellboy), Ralph Ineson (Game of Thrones), and Ali Larter (Resident Evil). Ashley was a quarter-finalist in our 2018 Feature competition with his screenplay A LONG SHADOW AT NOON.
AMY WANG – STAFFED & SIGNED
Amy was a Finalist in our 2018 Short Film Contest with her script WA WA. Her feature screenplay, WENDI was featured both on The Black List, and The Hit List in 2019. That same year, she directed five episodes of the series THE BIRCH for Facebook Watch. She is currently writing on the Netflix Limited Series FROM SCRATCH, starring Zoe Saldana (Avatar, Guardians of The Galaxy) and executive produced by Reese Witherspoon and Hello Sunshine. She is represented by Kaplan/Perrone Entertainment.
JONNY KING – SIGNED & DEVELOPMENT
“Thank you so much for everything you’ve done to make this happen. Without you, it would never have got in front of Ben in the first place. I can’t tell you how grateful I am.”
We first introduced Jonny to Sean Dubravac of Entertainment Lab after Jonny placed 2nd in the 2019 Feature Screenplay Contest with LAND’S END. Sean is now representing Jonny’s sitcom pilot GIFTED and pitching it to major broadcasters and production companies and LAND’S END has Theresa Larche on board to produce alongside Starcross Entertainment as executive producers. We set up the LAND’S END project with EMMY nominated director Ben Tricklebank who is a member of our Director’s Roster and who optioned the script after falling in love with it.
KYRA JONES – STAFFED & SIGNED
Kyra was a 2020 TV Pilot Finalist with her ½-hour comedy GOOD VIBES ONLY. After achieving success in our contest Kyra was invited to participate in Coverfly’s Pitch Week where she was selected to staff Hulu’s hit comedy WOKE. Most recently, Kyra has been writing on the ABC series QUEENS. Kyra Jones (she/her) is a Chicago-based Black feminist screenwriter, filmmaker, and actor whose work focuses on Black women’s experiences with intimate relationships, sex, and liberation. Kyra is represented by Echo Lake Entertainment.
SARA CASEY – SIGNED
Sara is a writer from the San Francisco Bay Area. Raised by journalists, she decided to go in a vastly different direction and make up stories for a living. Her directorial debut, Abortion Desert, won Best Short Narrative at Atlanta Comic-Con. Following her win of the 2020 ½-Hour TV Pilot Contest with her darkly comic story RBF we introduced Sara to Jax Media. After much interest, Sara subsequently signed with Anonymous Content.
CLAIRE FOWLER – DIRECTING ON NETFLIX SHOW
Claire Fowler won our inaugural Short Film Fund. Salam premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and won a BAFTA in 2020 for Best Short Film at BAFTA Cymru. She directed the TV Show MERCHED PARCHUS for BBC Wales in 2019 and directed on the fourth season of the Netflix show MANIFEST which will be released in 2023. /// READ ABOUT HER BAFTA WIN /// /// READ ABOUT SALAM AT TRIBECA /// /// WATCH THE FILM ///
JACOB WEHRMAN – PRODUCED & SIGNED
“I have such a long list of great things to say about Shore Scripts and the wonderful people that run this competition, so I don’t really know where to start. But it begins and ends with my sincere appreciation to all of your team and readers. I’m just so grateful for the introduction to Patrick, and can’t wait to see what happens next with my script.”
We are delighted to have set up Jacob’s 2019 winning feature with our roster judge, director & producer Patrick Lussier (Drive Angry, Terminator Genisys). BAD WATER is the story of a troubled biologist who teams up with a grieving migrant to reveal a disturbing eco-terror plot. Following his contest win, Jacob’s feature film CRAWLSPACE was produced by Wonder Street and distributed by Viacom CBS. /// READ MORE ///
LELE PARK – SIGNED
“I genuinely love your competition. It’s a great space for writers looking to legitimize their skillset. And, it keeps up with the artist and helps roll them forward!”
LeLe is represented by VERVE Talent & Literary Agency and Brillstein Entertainment Partners. Her drama series THE BLISS KILLER is currently being packaged. She also signed on to be part of the Warner Bros. Discovery/ WarnerMedia 150, agreeing to co-create/write a neo-noir drama series titled ARGUS. She recently finished her dramatic action feature “Nunca.” When she’s not screenwriting, she’s busy advocating for AAPI inclusion, a volunteer refugee advocate for Syrian children, and an active mother of two.
SAM BARON – STAFFED
BRIAN MCCAULEY JOHNSON – STAFFED
A 2019 TV Pilot Semi-Finalist, Brian is developing his THE LEAGUE OF PAN pilot with SyFy & Universal Content Productions. He will write and produce the fantastical series that picks up the beloved characters of Peter Pan and his Lost Boys 10 years on from their return to the real world. Bill McGoldrick, President of Original Content at NBCUniversal Entertainment, described the project as taking the story into uncharted lands, making for new adventures, and showcasing these characters as you’ve never seen them before. /// READ MORE /// /// OUR Q&A WITH BRIAN /// He has also worked as a writer on 38 episodes of the ABC series BIG SKY. Brian is repped by Sugar23.
LOUIS ACKERMAN – PRODUCED & SIGNED
KATE SHENTON – SIGNED
“I don’t believe I would have been able to do it without Shore Scripts. Thank you!”
Kate is a London-based writer and has signed with Casarotto Ramsay after her TV-Pilot THE BIG O took first place in our 2019 contest. She has also written, directed, and produced the web series NETFLIX AND KILL, which was nominated for Best British Web Series at the Pilot Light TV Festival.
KERRY-ANN CALLEJA MCGREGOR – PRODUCED
BEN GUTTERIDGE – DIRECTING ON NETFLIX SHOW
“Winning the Shore Scripts Fund not only meant I got to make a short with total creative freedom and support, but I also made my most important creative partnership for the future!”
Ben took the grand prize in our 2017 Short Film Fund with THE NAKED MAN; a story about an invisible man, whose hopes of being seen again are unleashed when he meets a fascinating blind girl. Ben has gone on to direct the new Netflix series INTIMIDAD (Intimacy) where a leaked sex video of a promising politician serves as the catalyst for a story of four women treading the fine line between public and private life – starring Itzia Ituño, the lead of MONEY HEIST. The series has since won the Antonio Mercero Award at the Iris Awards in Spain. Ben also has a short film, IN PLANE SIGHT, in development.
DAN BENAMOR – SIGNED
BILLIE BATES – PRODUCED
Billie was a Finalist in our 2019 Feature Contest for her script HELLDORADO. The story of Helldorado centers around a straitlaced young woman who struggles to run a saloon in prohibition-era Vegas. Her scripts, THE SPIRIT HALLOWEEN starring Christopher Lloyd and Rachel Leigh Cook, and CHRISTMAS, NO FILTER, were both released in 2022. She has also produced the short film TANGLED TINSEL. She is based in Colorado.
NATE O’MAHONEY – STAFFED & SIGNED
VIVIAN KERR – PRODUCED & SIGNED
Vivian was a Top 5 Finalist in our 2018 Short Film Fund and a Semifinalist in our 2020 TV Pilot Contest. Vivian recently released the feature adaptation of her finalist short, SCRAP, which she directed, and starred alongside actor Anthony Rapp (RENT, STAR TREK: DISCOVERY) and actress Lana Parrilla (WHY WOMEN KILL, ONCE UPON A TIME). She also wrote and directed the film SEANCE, and directed the short film JULIAN. She is represented by Authentic Talent and Citizen Skull.
BRYAN KELSEY – OPTIONED
“Shore provided me with an early confidence boost and helped me to believe that my writing was good enough. Those little victories add up over time.”
Bryan was a Quarterfinalist in our 2019 feature contest with his script THE MAN BY THE RIVER; a tale of a former gunslinger who’s forced to get back on the saddle when his estranged daughter’s life is threatened. In 2020, he had his script VIRGINIA ROSE AND THE LOST CITY OF GOLD optioned by Silver Lion Films. Bryan is from East Tennessee.
MELODY COOPER – SIGNED & SUNDANCE FELLOWSHIP
“It’s always great to have validation from a contest like Shore Scripts early in your career to know you’re on the right track and should keep writing and honing and not give up. It can be the light at the end of the tunnel!”
Melody was a Quarterfinalist in our 2017 Feature Contest with her script THE SOUND OF DARKNESS. She just completed the 2021 Sundance Episodic Lab and has been selected for an Adobe Women at Sundance Fellowship. She’s gone on to write TV episodes for TWO SENTENCE HORROR STORIES, and LAW AND ORDER: SVU. Melody has been tapped by Netflix to adapt the new novel BEASTS OF PREY which will be produced by Bryan Unkeless and Scott Morgan of Clubhouse Pictures. She has also produced the short films 13 MINUTES OF HORROR: SCI-FI and 13 MINUTES OF HORROR: FOLKLORE. She is represented by CAA. Photo: Dan Ostergren
STEPHANIE ZARI – PRODUCED
“Being a semi-finalist of Shore Scripts feature competition really aided my project in further attracting a great Producer as well as getting on various filmmaking labs. It’s since become and huge resource for the screenwriting community and I can’t recommend it enough!”
Stephanie was a Semifinalist in our 2016 Feature Contest with her script IN OUR BLOOD. In 2021 she co-wrote and directed the feature film ZEBRA GIRL which was produced by 19th Street Productions and distributed by Bohemian Media. The film stars Tom Cullen (DOWNTOWN ABBEY, BLACK MIRROR, WEEKEND) and Jade Anouka (CLEANING UP, HIS DARK MATERIALS), and Sarah Roy (GLUE). She has written four episodes of the CBBC series THE DUMPING GROUND, produced the short film RUTH AND SAFIYA and her film OUR BLOOD is currently in development.
KITTY PERCY – STAFFED
Kitty Percy was a Winner in our 2016 Short Screenplay Contest with THE DISAPPOINTMENT CLUB which is a love story set in a benign, low-tech future where humans have evolved to live in platonic communities and extreme emotions no longer exist. Kitty has since been working across film and TV. She recently wrote on the BBC Mark Benton comedy series SHAKESPEARE & HATHAWAY, and the up-and-coming crime comedy SISTER BONIFACE. Her first feature, SHE WILL, starring Alice Krige, Malcolm McDowell, and Rupert Everett was released in 2021.
SHAUN S NEEDHAM – OPTIONED
“I had been writing for several years before placing in the QF of Shore Scripts. It gave me some much-needed validation which, ultimately, encouraged me to keep going. I now have my first option with a feature in development in the US.”
Shaun was a Quarterfinalist in our 2016 feature contest with his film CALLING OUT TO TOMMY; A story about a WW2 British soldier who forms an alliance with a German prisoner of war as he attempts to get home to see his newborn daughter. Shaun has gone on to have his script REMINDING SHEILA optioned by Skolebrød Productions. He is from Sheffield, UK.
SCOTT LIAPIS – OPTIONED
Scott was a Quarterfinalist in our 2016 feature contest with his script HUNTERS POINTE. Since then, he’s had his script VIRGINIA BLANTON optioned by Coast Art Productions.
CATHERINE HURD – PRODUCED
LAURIEL MARGER – STAFFED & SIGNED
“The thing I like most about Shore, why my experience with Shore has been so great, is that they really do get your script out there to people who can actually do something with it, people who can help you.”
TV Pilot Winner Lauriel has signed with Shore Industry Roster Manager, David Katsman of LINK Entertainment. Her winning script Peaches was commissioned as a series by QUIBI, produced by Stephen Garrett (The Night Manager, Hunted, Life on Mars, Eastern Promises). /// READ ABOUT IT ON VARIETY /// She has recently sold a series to Youtube, and is writing on the FOX show, Prodigal Son.
MARIA HINTERKOERNER – SIGNED
MARK STEENSLAND – PRODUCED
Mark Steensland was a 2015 Feature Winner with JIMMY THE FREAK, a tale that focused on an ex-con and his differently abled but supernaturally blessed friend. Mark has had two screenplays produced in the last year: THE SPECIAL, which was released in October of 2020 after a successful festival run; and JAKOB’S WIFE, which premiered at SXSW this past March before a theatrical release in April. The film is next headed to Shudder, AMC Networks’ premium streaming service for horror, thriller, and the supernatural. His screenplay THE DECEPTION OF KATHRYN VASK is also in pre-production.
JAMES GOULD-BOURN – PRODUCED
NORA KIRKPATRICK – STAFFED
2018 Short Film Fund winner Nora Kirkpatrick’s ASSISTED LIVING is in development with CBS Television Studios and Gloria Sanchez Productions. The project stems from a first-look deal with Will Ferrell and Adam McKay’s Gary Sanchez Prods. and its female-centric production arm Gloria Sanchez, have with CBS Studios. Nora developed her Shore Scripts’ winning comedy BEST SELLER at Comedy Central with Gloria Sanchez and is repped by Verve, Burstein Co., and Jackoway Tyerman. /// READ MORE /// She has recently directed an episode of The Goldbergs, has written on numerous TV series, such as THE COOP and BEST SELLER, has written 10 episodes for the Amazon Prime series, DAISY JONES AND THE SIX, has a TV mini-series set to come out in 2023 and her film A TREE FELL UNDER THE WOODS is currently in pre-production.
BETH CURRY – SIGNED
“Shore Scripts is in a category all of its own. After I won, they sent out my script to industry professionals that I would’ve never had access to. They helped me get amazing representation. Now, I feel like I’m finally on the road to being a working writer. And it is ALL because of Shore Scripts. I know there are a ton of contests out there…believe me, I did a lot of them. But, save your money. Just do Shore, it’s money well spent.”
Beth was our 2017 Feature Winner with MOONFLOWER. We introduced Beth to a number of managers, including Elevate Entertainment who she signed with. Beth won the Nicholl Fellowship in 2020 and her winning script was optioned by Mandalay Pictures which is being packaged. She has another film with Mike Medavoy’s company, Phoenix Films and THE WONDER YARD is in pre-production with Jacki Weaver and Tony Shalhoub attached // READ MORE //. Beth is also repped by IAG.
BERNARDO DURAN
Bernardo was a Top 5 Finalist in our 2019 Short Film Fund, with his imaginative animated short BLANK. Bernardo has worked in roles across the industry like In-House Producer for Mexican-based production company CANANA, Associate Producer on CREED 2, and Co-Producer on TRANSFORMERS: RISE OF THE BEASTS. He is currently in production on BLANK as a writer, producer, and director.
ELLA ROBY & LACHLAN MARKS – SIGNED
2017 TV Pilot screenplay contest winners, Ella Roby & Lachlan Marks, have received Development Funding from a local funding body associated with the Australian Writers’ Guild, founded by Shane Brennan (EP, show runner and writer on shows like NCIS LA, CSI), for their pilot Small Town.
They are now signed with The Fleming Agency in Australia.
BRUCE BRANIT – SIGNED
Bruce was a Winner in our 2018 Feature Contest with his time-travel drama THE BRANCH MANAGER (LOOP THIEF). Since then Bruce has continued his innovative work in Visual Effects, having been an 8-times Emmy nominee for work on shows such as LOST, STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE, BREAKING BAD, and WESTWORLD. Bruce has had two feature scripts optioned, and has written and directed the tv series THE OVERLAY, starring Chris Bylsma, Rori Flynn, and Jack Terbush. Bruce is repped by Circle of Confusion.
JAMES STEWART – SIGNED
James Stewart was a Finalist in our 2019 Feature Contest for his script FOXED; a tale centered around children from a fantastical steampunk town who are kidnapped by shape-shifting foxes. James has directed over 300 commercials and is currently directing FOXED with his production company Geneva Film Co. In 2018 he co-created the successful web series CHATEAU LAURIER. In 2019 he won the Telefilm Canada New Voices Award. He is represented by GGA.
ALEX GEORGE PICKERING – SIGNED & SCRIPT IN DEVELOPMENT
Alex’s Drama-winning screenplay HEARD is currently in development as a comic book series with Scout Comics, with movie rights by Mosaic Media. Alex is now repped by Citizen Skull Management with his frequent writing partner Matthew Breault, the production wing of which has optioned two of their award-winning feature scripts, IMPULSE CONTROL, and CRATE. With an MFA in Cinema-TV Production from the USC School of Cinematic Arts and a BA from Georgetown, Alex also wrote PUSS IN BOOTS and KUNG FU PANDA shorts for DreamWorksTV (now Peacock Kids). Most recently, Alex has set up his feature historical drama JUMPMAN with a prominent production company. Outside of his writing career, Alex is a professor of cinema and film production at California Baptist University and LAUSD’s Division of Adult & Career Education.
BEN CLEARY – PRODUCED & SIGNED
“Being a winner was very exciting. In the months following the announcement, I have been approached by numerous directors who are interested in scripts of mine. Delighted I decided to enter!”
Ben, one of our Short winners, won 2016’s Best Live Short Film OSCAR for his film STUTTERER. Since then he has signed with Anonymous Content & The Agency. His latest project, SWAN SONG is a heart-wrenching Sci-Fi starring Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali (MOONLIGHT, GREEN BOOK, TRUE DETECTIVE) and has been nominated for a Golden Globe award. He has also written and directed the short film GLIMPSE.
JAMES PRICE – SIGNED
James Price was one of our short script winners. STREET HASSLE has since been developed into a feature script through Creative Scotland, under the guidance of producer Olivia Stewart (Velvet Goldmine). James has gone on to write and develop multiple short films and gained a best short film nomination at the 2015 BAFTA Scotland ceremony. His feature screenplay GALLUS DAYS won him a place in the BBC Drama Room in 2018, and since then has been commissioned by World Productions Scotland to write a pilot for a semi-autobiographical TV series based around his childhood growing up around the gang culture of Glasgow. He has recently written the TV series SKINT. He is represented by United Agents.
ROB LAMBERT – PRODUCED & SIGNED
Rob Lambert, 2016’s TV Pilot Winner, has had his pilot Los Ninos Sicarios picked up by Sony Crackle. He is currently developing the show with their team. His feature length film Cuck was nominated for best film at the 2019 Oldenburg film festival, and was nominated for best independent American feature film at the 2019 Cleveland International Film Festival.
NABIL CHOWDHARY – SIGNED
Nabil was a 2018 Semi-Finalist with THE REPLACEMENT which has since been produced. He has written the short film THE END OF THE WORLD, which was given an honorable mention at the 2018 Independent Short wards and won Best Original Story at the 2018 Festigious International Film Festival. He is represented by Verve Talent.
JORDAN PROSSER – PRODUCED
Jordan is the winner of our 2018 feature competition with Hungry Man. He has written and directed multiple short films, including 2016’s Tanglewood, which received completion funding through the Screen Australia Hot Shots program. He co-wrote the screenplay for Justin Dix’s horror feature Blood Vessel (2020) and is currently developing a number of genre projects in both film and television.
JEFF BOWER – SIGNED & IN DEVELOPMENT
Jeff was a 2018 TV Pilot Semi-Finalist with FIX, and 2017 Semi-Finalist with HALCYON FALLS. Jeff was signed by Paul Weitzman, co-founder of Culture Creative Entertainment, and FIX was subsequently put into development at renowned production company Kennedy Marshall. Most recently, Jeff has moved over to audio, having written the play, ONE LAST SHOT, for Theatre Lab in Florida.
CAT DALE – PRODUCED
2017 TV Pilot Winner Cat Dale recently signed her first screenwriting assignment with Eleven Arts Studios and is currently producing her first feature film, BEASTS UNDISCOVERED. She has written, produced, and directed the short film WILDCAT, has directed and produced the short film TOUCH, and has written and directed the short film RUBBER and GLUE.
JAMIE NAPOLI & JOSHUA PAUL JOHNSON – OPTIONED
Jamie & Joshua were 2017 Feature Winners with their dark comedy, Getaway.
Their script was picked up and is currently being developed by Romark Entertainment.
PETER HAIG – SIGNED
Peter Haig is a writer/director based in Los Angeles, California, and was originally a 2017 Semifinalist with the short form A WAR ON TERROR. He went on to become a Semifinalist again in 2019 with the feature of the same name and which is currently in development. Peter has also written the short film G.I. JOSE and his short HAPPINESS FOR HIRE is now in development. Peter is repped by our Industry Roster member, Entertainment 360.
C.J. WELLS – PRODUCED
C.J. was one of our 2016 TV Pilot Winners. She has gone onto write the 2017 film The Malevolent, starring Mischa Barton. She’s been hired to write the sequel and also The Stacks which Jose Magan is attached to produce. She has gone onto write Legionnaire’s Trail which is currently filming with Mickey Rourke starring.
MICHAEL PERRI – STAFFED
Michael was one of our 2016 TV Pilot Quarter-Finalists with Nick The Hat. He has since signed with Echo Lake Entertainment and been staffed on the NBC show STATE OF AFFAIRS. He’s recently joined the writing team for the sixth season of The Blacklist.
PATRICK TOBIN – PRODUCED & SIGNED
Patrick was a 2012 Quarter-Finalist with his feature, Cake. It follows Claire as she initiates a dubious relationship with a widower while confronting fantastical hallucinations of his dead wife. The film stars Jennifer Aniston and was released in Jan 2015 by Warner Brothers.
Patrick is repped by William Morris.
ALICE SEABRIGHT – STAFFED & SHOWRUNNER ON NETFLIX & AMAZON SHOW
“Thanks again for everything – Shore opened up so many doors!”
Alice was a 2016 2nd Place Feature Winner and following her placing she received an offer for her winning screenplay OUT OF MIND from an LA-based production company. Alice went on to be named a 2019 Screen International Star of Tomorrow and went on to become the showrunner of her original series CHLOE for the BBC. Alice is repped by Curtis Brown in the UK.
AMANDA DUKE – STAFFED & SIGNED
2012 Winner, Amanda Duke has gone on to write the factual drama film THE CURE for Channel 4 directed by Bruce Goodison and starring Sian Brooke and Sue Johnson. /// PRESS RELEASE /// for which she won Debut Creator at the New Voices Awards 2020, in association with the International Edinburgh TV Festival. Amanda has written three episodes of the Netflix Original series TREASON. She is represented by Sheil Land Associates.
GUY FRANCISCO POLIN – SIGNED
Guy was a 2017 Feature Semi-Finalist with HEMOPHILIA. He has since signed with the management company Markerstone.
EUGENE RHEE – PRODUCED & OPTIONED
“After winning the contest, Christopher Figg, one of Shores judges contacted me and Optioned my script, which was great because it was just further validation from the industry.”
Eugene sold the option to his 2012 Grand Prize Winning script, The Oriental, to Shore Scripts judge, Christopher Figg. Warner Bros based producer Polly Johnsen has now come onboard to turn his short film The Garden into a big budget feature. In 2017, Eugene sold a feature screenplay to a large Chinese Media Company. In 2018, Eugene gained a writing credit on the NETFLIX Original film, Despite Everything.
ROBERT WEINBERGER – SIGNED
Robert was our 2016 5th Place TV Pilot Winner with his script Long Island. He has signed with Roger Strull at Preferred Artists.
JASON GRUICH – SIGNED
Jason was a 2016 Feature Semi-Finalist. He has just had his first feature produced: PUPS ALONE, starring Dolph Lundgren. His screenplay THE TEMPERING is currently in pre-production. He is signed to Boundless Pictures.
WARD PARRY – SIGNED
Ward was a Quarter-Finalist with his script, THE PIED PIPER. Since then he has written the thriller, THE SHATTERING which was released in 2015. He has served as a story editor on the film CURTIZ and now has a number of projects in pre-production. He is repped by WME.
MOON MOLSON – SIGNED
Moon wrote and went onto direct The Bravest, The Boldest, a Shore Scripts Semi-Finalist. It’s gone onto win over 17 International Festival awards and was nominated for the Short Grand Jury Prize at 2014’s Sundance Film Festival. Moon is represented by United Talent.
LISA DONATO – PRODUCED
Lisa was one of our 2016 Quarter-Finalists. She has gone on to have her Signature Move screenplay produced. It was released in theaters in 2017. She has also produced several short films, including RECLAIMING PAKISTAN, SPRUNKLE, IN BED, and THE LAST BLACK MAN IN SAN FRANCISCO, among others.
SUSIE FARRELL – SIGNED
A 2015 Quarter-Finalist, Susie has since written for the BBC drama series, 6DEGREES has written the films THE DIRTY GOD and SULPHUR AND WHITE and has also written 20 episodes of the BBC show, HOPE STREET. Susie recently co-wrote the film DRIFT, released in 2023. She is repped by Casarotto Ramsay & Associates.
SAMUEL GARZA BERNSTEIN – PRODUCED
Samuel was one of our Quarter-Finalists. He was a writer on the UK show, Shimmer and Shine, and has a feature currently in production.
NAZ SADOUGHI – PRODUCED
“After Shore Scripts I got CRESCENT MOON onto the Sundance’s Screenwriters lab in November which was amazing. I’ve also just directed a short that I wrote off the back of all their encouragement.”
Naz has written and directed the 2013 short film THE PERFECT SILENCE.
JANICE HALLETT – SIGNED
A 2013 Quarter-Finalist with her script, Divine, Janice has gone onto co-write the thriller, Retreat with director Carl Tibbetts. It stars Jamie Bell, Cillian Murphy and Thandie Newton. She is repped by Sheil Land Associates.
MARINA SHRON – PRODUCED
Marina was a 2012 Shore Scripts Quarter-Finalist. She is one of the writers on Buddha’s Little Finger, a drama about the failed coup attempt on Mikhail Gorbachev. It stars Toby Kebbell. Her latest film, Sea Child, premiered at Fantasia Film Festival in Montreal and went on to screen at 8 other venues around the globe, including festivals in Toronto, UK, Paris and India.
BEN STEINER – PRODUCED & SIGNED
Ben came 3rd in 2015’s feature contest. Since then he has signed with JAB Management and is developing a feature. He has written and directed multiple films, such as URN, and MATRIARCH, and co-wrote the short film CLANKER MAN. He also directed the 2022 horror-film, MONSTERLAND 2.
ROSS RAFFIN – PRODUCED
Ross was one of our Quarter-Finalists. He’s just had his first feature produced, Time Framed.
TOM NASH – STAFFED & SIGNED
Tom was a 2015 Quarter-Finalist with his screenplay, Full Nelson. He has subsequently gone on to write for the BBC hit DEATH IN PARADISE. His first feature, BUTTER FINGERS, was optioned by Embargo Films and he is repped by Berlin Associates.
ANDREW WALLACE CHAMINGS
Since becoming a Semi-Finalist with Shore Scripts, Andrew has optioned a TV Pilot with Shore Scripts roster production company, Echo Lake, and a feature screenplay with Garden Cartwheel which is currently in development. He has written and produced the film THE VANDALS, currently in pre-production.
JOSEPH CAHILL – SIGNED
Joseph was a Semi-Finalist with his screenplay, Shades Within. Since then he has had created, written and directed the TV Show H-Man. He’s also gained representation through Casarotto.
BEN WATTS – SIGNED
Ben was a 4th place winner in 2015’s contest with his screenplay When The Devil’s Loose. He has recently signed with Markerhouse Management.
LAWRENCE RIGGINS – PRODUCED
Lawrence won 3rd place in the very first year of our contest. Since then he has sold a dozen screenplays and has had five films produced including REPLICANT, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, which earned $20 million in presales at Cannes. A former visiting professor at UCLA’s prestigious M.F.A. Screenwriting program, Lawrence teaches screenwriting, directing, producing, critical studies, film analysis, film history, and distribution.
MATTHEW COOMBES – SIGNED
2013 2nd Place Winner, Matthew Coombes, has had his winning script, Once In Royal Bradford City, optioned by Island Pictures. He is repped by Sheil Land Associates.
MARK MACAULEY – PRODUCED
Mark was a 2015 Quarter-Finalist. He has since co-written and is set to direct and produce the feature-length film I AM KHAMA!, currently in development. Set in 1985, the film follows an African King fighting to prevent his country from being stolen by the British.
TOM WATERACRE – SIGNED
Tom was a 2015 feature Quarter-Finalist with his script, God save The Queen. He is now repped by Curtis Brown.
JAYNA SWEET – SIGNED
A 2014 feature Quarter-Finalist, Jayna has gone on to write for TV Shows, GENERATION NOW and KING & CARTER. She has also written and produced short films, THE FOXES and DAUGHTER. She is represented by ZT Agency.
ROBERT BRYCE MILBURN – PRODUCED
Was a 2014 Semi-Finalist with his short, AMERICAN HELL. It has since been produced, played at 19 film festivals worldwide, and won five awards. He has since produced a number of short films and produced several episodes of shows such as MAID TO ORDER, FEAR HAUS and STAY-AT-HOME DETECTIVES. He has also had the privilege to serve as part of the camera crew on big name projects such as ATLANTA and BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER.
AUSTIN ROWLANDS – PRODUCED
Austin was a 2014 Quarter-Finalist with VOICED OVER. The script has been picked up and will be produced by Alphapictures Limited with La Haine actor, Anthony Souter, onboard to direct. He has a number of films in development and has worked as a writer on ONE MORE DAY, set to be released this year.
JAMIE CRICHTON – SIGNED
A 2013 Semi-Finalist, Jamie has gone on to write episodes for THE LAST KINGDOM, ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL, THREE PINES, GRANTCHESTER, THE TUNNEL, LAW & ORDER: UK, AND RIPPER STREET. He is represented by The Agency.
BLU DE GOLYER – SIGNED
Blu was a Shore Scripts Semi-Finalist. He wrote the horror film, HOUSE OF GOOD AND EVIL, and has written four episodes of the TV show HILLBILLY HORROR SHOW He is currently developing projects. He is represented by Filthy Fingernails.
CHRISTOPHER BACON – PRODUCED
Christopher wrote the segment ‘Tied Up’ for 50 Kisses, a multi-story feature film centered around the theme of Valentine’s Day. He was a Semi-Finalist with his feature, The Renegade Mesmerist.
TARAS DEMIAN GROVES – PRODUCED
Taras was a 2013 Quarter-Finalist. In 2014 he wrote and directed the crime film, THE PROFESSIONAL. He also co-wrote and directed the short film FLIGHT OF THE DODO and wrote and directed the short film NOWHERE.
BRENT HARTINGER – PRODUCED
Brent was a Semi-Finalist. He is a screenwriter, playwright and novelist. He wrote the 2013 comedy, GEOGRAPHY CLUB, and the 2021 family film, PROJECT PAY DAY. He has also written and produced the short film, THE THING I DIDN’T KNOW I DIDN’T KNOW.
GORAN SPOLJARIC – PRODUCED
Goran was a 3rd place winner in 2014’s short category with his horror short, THE PRIEST. Since then he has directed the film, which has played at many festivals and won Best Short at Monster Fest. He was also a writer on and directed the feature film A NIGHT OF HORROR: VOLUME 1 and wrote and directed the short film, SECRETIONS.
ADAM ETHAN CROW – SIGNED
Adam was a 2013 Quarter-Finalist. In 2014 Adam wrote and directed the critically acclaimed short film, WARHOL. It has gone on to win numerous awards at festivals around the world. He has since written and produced multiple films, including THE CONVERSATION, the TV movie HOW TO WIN FRIENDS AND INCONVENIENCE PEOPLE and LAIR. He is repped by Ditto.
MARK JEAVONS – PRODUCED
A 2012 Shore Scripts Semi-Finalist, Mark has written and directed WHATEVER HAPPENED TO PETER BLAGGIT, winner of Best Feature Film at the British Independent Film Festival Award. It’s a comedy about the plight of a man stuck in a mid-life crisis. He also wrote and produced THE TREE INSIDE and produced THE LIBERATOR.
STEPHEN M. HUNT – PRODUCED
Stephen was a Quarter-Finalist in both Shore’s feature and short contest. Since then Stephen has been hired to write and direct his wartime drama, PREVIOUS VENGEANCE through AVAnti Productions. He has also written several short films, such as BELIEVERS, DEATH’S LADY LOVE and JEZABEL.
ALISTAIR RUTHERFORD – STAFFED
Since becoming a 2014 Quarter-Finalist, Alistair has written over 20 episodes of OOGLIES, made by BBC’s Scotland. He has since written the short films, SIMON, FIRST AND ONLY, and DARK SENSE.
PATRICK CURRAN – SIGNED
Patrick was a Semi-Finalist with his wonderfully titled THE FRAGILE SATISFACTIONS OF US AND THEM feature. Since then he has written the film WHITE NOISE and has several projects in development, including FRAGILE, GOLDEN AND GONE, and SNOWBIRD. He is represented by Nava Artists Talent Agency.
CHRISTOPHER LOMBARD – PRODUCED
Christopher was a 2014 Semi-Finalist with WIPE. Since then he has written and produced the horror film, THE BARGE PEOPLE, which follows two sisters and their boyfriends on a weekend getaway as they battle against cannibalistic fish-mutants.
CHRISTIAN J. HEARN – PRODUCED
One of our Quarter-Finalists, Christian has written and directed The Brighton Mob which was released in late 2015. His film FRACTURED has won 6 awards at the British Horror Film Festival, Best Film at the London Independent Film Awards, and the Love Horror award, among others. He also wrote the horror film, THE KINDRED, which was released in 2021.
JOHN HOERNSCHEMEYER – PRODUCED
A 2015 Quarter-Finalist, John is now the co-managing partner of Penned Pictures and a partner of White Spot Films. He has produced a number of feature-length films, including FREE DEAD OR ALIVE, INVASION PLANET EARTH and AND, NOW LOVE, as well as several short films, such as FRAGILE STORM, HALF&HALF and DEBRIS. John also co-wrote the horror film, THE VILLAGE IN THE WOODS, on which he also served as a producer.
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