Austin Fest Announces Script Competition Finalists

The Austin Film Festival has announced their 2023 Script Competition Finalists! 67 scripts were chosen for the Final Round with one winner to be determined in each of the 17 categories. The winners will be announced during this year's Conference.

COMEDY FEATURE SCREENPLAY

A FOREST THROUGH THE TREES By Ryan Ederer
GONE HOME By Colin Moore
Sean Bean Won't Die by Christopher Woodring and Geoff Allison
Turn the Heat Up by Helen K. Thomas

DRAMA FEATURE

Presented by Writers Guild of America, East

Black Waters by Kate Imy
Hoods by Timothy Fasano
The Language of Wolves by Nan Schmid
T-Minus Zero by Troy Anthony Miller and J.R Smith

ENDERBY ENTERTAINMENT AWARD

For feature scripts in all genres with an original concept and distinctive voice that can be produced for under $10 million. The production company was founded by Rick Dugdale and Daniel Petrie, Jr.

All-In Quinn by Tyler True
Black Mouth Cur by Kai Kido
Inward by Jolan Bastien
My Secret Garden by Sly Raymond
Undertakings by Maximillian Stenstrom

HORROR AWARD

Open to thrillers, dark suspense, sci-fi, and macabre themes.

CAOINEADH by Elise Salomon
PARADISE by Daniel Byers
Sensei by Merridith Allen

SCI-FI AWARD

Open to science fiction, fantasy, horror, surrealism, myth/legend and fantastical storytelling.

Dark Magic Kingdom by Stephen Polakiewicz
Lost Time by Ben Hickernell
ROY G. BIV by Sebastian Davis

ROOSTER TEETH BIPOC FELLOWSHIP AWARD

Open to scripts from underrepresented writers in the industry.

As I Am by Stephanie Bast
Crimson by Star Victoria
Motherland by Pallavi Yetur
Turn the Heat Up by Helen K Thomas
Yasmine/Jasmine by Yossera Bouchtia

ROOSTER TEETH WOMEN & ANIMATION FELLOWSHIP

Open to scripts from underrepresented writers in the industry.

Inward by Jolan Bastien
Just Noise by Grace Rein
Solvang Mysteries by Irene White
STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS by Patia Prouty
Ulster by Allison Mick

AMC ONE-HOUR PILOT AWARD

All Finalists will be reviewed exclusively by AMC who will determine the Winner.

TBD

COMEDY TELEPLAY PILOT

Arthur and Lancelot by Victoria Zeutzius
Just Noise by Grace Rein
Save Point by Lindsay Galloway

DRAMA TELEPLAY PILOT

Say Something by Emily Holleman
State of the Art by Austin Elliott
Stream of Consciousness by Patia Prouty
The Hellmouth by Francesco Staluppi
Underbelly by Julianna Yonis

COMEDY TELEPLAY SPEC

Ghosts: Isaac & Nigel: A Lobster Tail by Justin Douglas
Hacks: The Gag by Baylor Knobloch
What We Do in the Shadows: The Chupacabra by Jordan Obey

DRAMA TELEPLAY SPEC

STAR TREK STRANGE NEW WORLDS – "Have Phaser — Will Travel!" (Spec) by Ryan Riddle
Succession: Juan Fucking Snow by Emmanuel Gutierrez
The Great: "Death Becomes Him" by Marguerite Spellman

SCRIPTED DIGITAL SERIES

2nd RATE FAIRY by Tony Ferrendelli and Roger Rittenhouse
Los Compadres by Nina Martinez
Psychic by Aiden Moretti

SHORT SCREENPLAY

Good Evening, Marshall (Good Evening, Geraldine) by Jessica Mosher
Hope on an Envelope by Jae Cheon
Hanging On by Matthew Cooper

STAGE PLAY

The Ghosts of the Garden by Brandon Lill
The Housing Situation on Neptune by Nijae "NJ" Draine
Throwing Birds at Tippi Hedren by Ted Chastain

FICTION PODCAST

Brightwaters by Alex Fletcher
Cahokia by Ray Agostinelli
The Crime at Camp Ashwood by Laura Hunter Drago

JOSEPHSON ENTERTAINMENT SCREENWRITING FELLOWSHIP

A FOREST THROUGH THE TREES By Ryan Ederer
Black Waters by Kate Imy
Say Something by Emily Holleman
Stream of Consciousness by Patia Prouty
The Hellmouth by Francesco Staluppi
Turn the Heat Up by Helen K Thomas
Underbelly by Julianna Yonis

Updated: 10/18/2023

Additional Contest Info: Austin Film Festival Script Competition