ISA SPOTLIGHT

Exciting ISAConnect Member Success Stories

These are the top success stories listed by ISAConnect Members. If you're an Industry Pro and interested in viewing the work of these emerging writers, please request Industry Pro status. 3188 Success Stories Listed.

Mitch Bechtold Accepted into 2020 WGF Veterans Writing Project

By: Mitch Bechtold
Mitch Bechtold's first fellowship is an exciting achievement. He credits every mentor as having been invaluable in developing his skills as a writer! The mission of the Writers Guild Foundation’s Veterans Writing Project is to identify emerging writers from United States military backgrounds and provide them with the tools and insights to nurture their passion for writing and successfully navigate the entertainment industry. They do this in two phases over a yearlong program: A weekend-long retreat, and monthly follow-up workshops and special events. Each military veteran is paired with WGA members. The Foundations writer-mentors represent some of the most beloved movies and television series of the past and present, and are committed to guiding the voices of the future.

Award Winner, Hal the Spud King

By: John Thibault
John Thibault's script, HAL, THE SPUD KING, has placed well in several contests and just received Award Winner status from Austin and Houston for comedy screenplay.

THE ABYSSINIAN: A Top 10 Historical Script

By: Larry Coleman
Larry E Coleman's period war drama, THE ABYSSINIAN finished in the top 10 in the Creative Screenwriting Unique Voices Screenplay Competition in the Historical/Biopic category. This script brings new life to World War II dramatic film-making because its' backdrop doesn't focus on popular settings like Normandy, but instead, on the invasion of Africa, and is seen through the lens of an African, an Ethiopian POW.
More SuccessDown Aroow

THE ABYSSINIAN Advances
By: Larry Coleman
The period war drama, THE ABYSSINIAN, advances as a semi-finalist in the Creative Screenwriting Unique Voices Screenplay Competition in the Historical/Biopic category. This script brings new life to World War II dramatic film-making because its' backdrop doesn't focus on popular settings like Normandy, but instead, on the invasion of Africa, and is seen through the lens of an African, an Ethiopian POW.
Tags: The Abyssinian, Creative Screenwriting UNIQUE VOICES Screenplay Competition(Top 10)

SWIRL CITY 2020 Scriptapaloza Quaterfinalist
By: Larry Coleman
Written well before the pandemic and the George Floyd murder, SWIRL CITY is a dystopian sci-fi script about the catastrophic race wars which came on the heels of protest and how an interracial couple with the help of an AI helped saved humanity.
Tags: Swirl City, Scriptapalooza Screenplay & SHORTS Competition(Quarter Finalist)

Historic/Biopic

By: Kristina Jilly
Kristina Jilly has been asked to research and write a treatment for a successful European producer. The project will be a biopic about an amazing artist and her vibrant yet tragically short life that was cut short at the beginning of WW2. This is a very special project about a very special woman who deserves to be more widely recognized.

1920s Period Thriller

By: Kristina Jilly
Kristina Jilly is currently researching and writing the synopsis and treatment for an up and coming director. The four part TV show will be based in Europe in the 1920s, a period of great trauma and transition. Kristina is excited to be involved at concept stage on this project.

1920s Period Thriller

By: Kristina Jilly
Kristina Jilly is currently researching and writing the synopsis and treatment for an up and coming director. The four part TV show will be based in Europe in the 1920s, a period of great trauma and transition. Kristina is excited to be involved at concept stage on this project.

Historic/Biopic
By: Kristina Jilly
Kristina Jilly has been asked to research and write a treatment for a successful European producer. The project will be a biopic about an amazing artist and her vibrant yet tragically short life that was cut short at the beginning of WW2. This is a very special project about a very special woman who deserves to be more widely recognized.

DEAD 9 optioned

By: Gregory Houghton
Greg Houghton's TV pilot DEAD 9 was optioned via Buffalo 8 and Invar Studios.
More SuccessDown Aroow

THE KEEPER optioned
By: Gregory Houghton
Greg Houghton's script THE KEEPER has been optioned via Brittany House Pictures and Quixotic Road.

EXIT has been optioned
By: Gregory Houghton
Greg Houghton's sigle location, action thriller EXIT, has been optioned for production via Ant Fallon with Bird on Fire.
Tags: Exit , Inktip

EXIT has been optioned

By: Gregory Houghton
Greg Houghton's sigle location, action thriller EXIT, has been optioned for production via Ant Fallon with Bird on Fire.
More SuccessDown Aroow

THE KEEPER optioned
By: Gregory Houghton
Greg Houghton's script THE KEEPER has been optioned via Brittany House Pictures and Quixotic Road.

DEAD 9 optioned
By: Gregory Houghton
Greg Houghton's TV pilot DEAD 9 was optioned via Buffalo 8 and Invar Studios.
Tags: Dead 9, Inktip

THE KEEPER optioned

By: Gregory Houghton
Greg Houghton's script THE KEEPER has been optioned via Brittany House Pictures and Quixotic Road.
More SuccessDown Aroow

DEAD 9 optioned
By: Gregory Houghton
Greg Houghton's TV pilot DEAD 9 was optioned via Buffalo 8 and Invar Studios.
Tags: Dead 9, Inktip

EXIT has been optioned
By: Gregory Houghton
Greg Houghton's sigle location, action thriller EXIT, has been optioned for production via Ant Fallon with Bird on Fire.
Tags: Exit , Inktip

GUNS & GOD: LINES IN THE SAND - TV Series, Season 1 Released as Novel

By: Rain Story
Screenwriter and actor Rain Story has released her novel titled GUNS & GOD: LINES IN THE SAND based upon her original TV pilot by the same name. An Arkansas native and veteran of the entertainment industry, Rain shares her expertise on what it is like living in a Southern gun culture via the adult crime-thriller genre. GUNS & GOD: LINES IN THE SANDtakes an electrifying look into the Southern gun culture and its connections with the gun industry's local, national, and international tentacles. This narrative shines light on what makes gun-toting Southerners tick and creates understanding so that we can work together to find compromise and resolve around gun violence in the U.S.

Triple Threat for success

By: Kim Hornsby
THREE projects are recognized by Table Read my Screenplay. Kim Hornsby's TV Pilot, MOODY & THE GHOST, reached the top 100 in Table Read my Screenplay as did her Features, NECESSARY DETOUR, and THE DREAM JUMPER'S PROMOISE. All 3 scripts are adapted from her Bestselling books available on Amazon Books. Kim is represented by JD DeWitt of 5x5 Literary Management
More SuccessDown Aroow

Screenplay Optioned
By: Kim Hornsby
Kim Hornsby's feature screenplay, CHRISTMAS IN CRYSTAL CREEK, was optioned by 5x5 Productions and with the lead actress attached, is planning to film this year. 5x5 Productions and Emerald Bay Entertainment will produce. This option replaces the previous option on her novel of the same name.
Tags: Christmas in Crystal Creek - IN DEVELOPMENT,

THE DREAM JUMPER'S PROMISE Wins Big
By: Kim Hornsby
After winning the Hollywood Fellowship and Grand Prize Award at the Seattle Film Summit's BIGFOOT SCRIPT CHALLENGE, Kim Hornsby's supernatural Suspense Feature, THE DREAM JUMPER'S PROMISE has entered into a shopping agreement with Indy Entertainment who recently produced Justin Long and Cobie Smulders film "Literally, Right Before Aaron." JD DeWitt of 5x5 Productions negotiated the deal that was brought to Ms. Hornsby by the Bigfoot team.
Tags: The Dream Jumper's Promise, Bigfoot Script Challenge(Grand Prize)

Christmas Novel Optioned
By: Kim Hornsby
CHRISTMAS IN CRYSTAL CREEK, the novel, was optioned by 5x5 Productions and is in development as a TV movie with a star attached. The spec screenplay was written by USA Today Bestselling Author and Awarded Screenwriter, KIM HORNSBY. Repped by JD DeWitt
Tags: Christmas in Crystal Creek - IN DEVELOPMENT,

Christmas Movie SOLD
By: Kim Hornsby
Christmas Romance screenplay, CHRISTMAS AT SNOWFLAKE LODGE, sold to Crazy Legs Productions with filming to take place this winter in Georgia. Deal negotiated by JD DeWitt of 5x5 Productions.
Tags: The Dream Jumper's Promise,

THE LAST INDIAN WAR Optioned to Nonesuch Pictures

By: Michael Graf
"We think the market has caught up to this amazing script," says Producer Darin Dusan when he optioned screenwriter Michael Graf's historical sports drama about a group of Native American children that are kidnapped by the US Army and go on to invent the modern game of football. "This is an amazing story and it needs to be told." The screenplay has been making waves around the world, winning dozens of awards and accolades. It also has been a part of the ISA Development Slate.
More SuccessDown Aroow

Won Best Screenplay at Paris Arts & Movie Awards
By: Michael Graf
Michael Graf's screenplay based on true events, was the only category that won an unanimous vote by the judges. At the Awards Show, the founder of the Festival said, "THE LAST INDIAN WAR is an important work that needs to be shared with the world."
Tags: THE LAST INDIAN WAR, Paris Arts and Movie Awards(1st Place)

Michael Graf wins the Culture & Heritage Award at the Fresh Voices Screenwriting Competition
By: Michael Graf
Michael Graf won the Culture & Heritage Award at the Fresh Voices Screenwriting competition for his screenplay, The Last Indian War. Described as a "brilliant concept" by one of the judges, The Last Indian War is a gorgeous epic telling of the forced re-location of Native American children and the greatest football game ever played.
Tags: Fresh Voices Screenplay Competition

Writer/Actor Rachel Leyco's Series Going Into Production

By: Rachel Leyco
ISA Development Slate writer, Rachel Leyco will star in the trans-led romantic comedy "Re-Live: A Tale of an American Island Cheerleader". The project won the Inside Out LGBT Pitch Please! contest last year in Toronto. "Re-Live" is a heartfelt romcom that she co-wrote with Primetime Emmy nominated actress, Rain Valdez. Fae Pictures has partnered with Now>Ever to finance and produce. "It's been incredibly fun writing this together (many laughs and tears shed) during the writing process. I'm so excited to bring this to life on the big screen because we are spotlighting our underrepresented communities in order to change the narrative in cinema -- that women, Asian-Americans, and LGBTQ+ folx belong in these spaces." - Rachel Leyco

THE DROME optioned and in development

By: Hunter Davis
Hunter Davis' screenplay THE DROME has been optioned by producers Gerry Pass (12 Feet Under) and Lucas Foster (Ford vs. Ferrari, Morbius, Man on Fire, Bad Boys) and is currently in development.

DELIVERANCE makes top 25 shorts at TRMS Genre Competition

By: Olga Holtz
DELIVERANCE, a short Sci-Fi thriller by Olga Holtz, made it to the top 25 shorts at Table Read My Screenplay 2020 Genre Competition.
More SuccessDown Aroow

A LABOUR OF LOVE recognized at two more contests
By: Olga Holtz

'A Labour of Love', a feature written by Olga Holtz, was selected a finalist of the 2016 Hollywood Screenplay Contest and listed among the top 100 scripts by Emerging Screenwriters.

 

'A Labour of Love' is the story of an obsessive English film-maker who sacrifices all - money, personal life, career - to restore the epic silent film `Napoleon', while his idol, the delusional genius director of the mutilated masterpiece, sabotages the restoration. It is based on the real story of Academy Award winner Kevin Brownlow's restoration of 'Napoleon' and his love-hate relationship with Abel Gance.

 

The newest digitized restoration of 'Napoleon' will be widely released in the UK at the end of 2016 and in France in 2017.

Tags: Emerging Screenwriters Screenplay Competition, Hollywood Screenplay Contest

A LABOUR OF LOVE on The Hot 100 list
By: Olga Holtz
A Labour of Love, a biopic of Academy Award winner Kevin Brownlow written by Olga Holtz, placed 6th on The Hot 100 list of the 2016 Capital Fund Screenplay Competition.
Tags: Capital Fund Screenplay Competition

Two more awards for The Zahir

By: Olga Holtz

The Zahir, a magic realist short thriller written and directed by Olga Holtz, has received a Platinum Remi Award at WorldFest-Houston International Film & Video Festival and a Top Indie Film Award for Best Original Idea. These are the 7th and 8th awards for the short, which is on the festival circuit.

Tags: Top Indie Film Awards, Worldfest Houston International Film Festival

A LABOUR OF LOVE wins Best Feature Script at Top Indie Film Awards
By: Olga Holtz
A Labour of Love, a biopic of Academy Award winner Kevin Brownlow written by Olga Holtz, has been named Best Feature Script at April 2016 Top Indie Film Awards.
Tags: Top Indie Film Awards

THAT SISTER THANG makes Launch Pad Top 50.

By: Dale Winton
Our comedy-drama about two black South African sisters tackling life in weird 'n wacky Austin, and the arrival of a conservative white Texan mother, has made it to the last Top 50 pilot scripts!
More SuccessDown Aroow

SAUSAGE & SUSHI makes Finals of WeScreenplay Diverse Voices

By: Dale Winton
Dale Winton's latest pilot about a bisexual guy secretly juggling a traditional straight life with a more hedonistic gay one is through to the final round! (Script and pitch deck available.)
Tags: Sausage & Sushi, Diverse Voices presented by WeScreenplay(Semi Finalist), WeScreenplay

THAT SISTER THANG makes Screencraft Pilot Launch semis
By: Dale Winton
Dale Winton is chuffed to see his pilot THAT SISTER THANG advance through to the semifinals. They've enjoyed over 15 top contest placements for their script and are hopefully one step closer to seeing a story about African sisterhood in Texas become an original series. (they've created a website for any producers wanting to know more about the show.)
Tags: That Sister Thang , ScreenCraft Pilot Launch Contest(Semi Finalist), ISA, ScreenCraft

SAUSAGE & SUSHI makes WeScreenplay Diverse Voices Semis
By: Dale Winton
Great to see Dale Winton's pilot make the next round! A story about a bisexual guy secretly juggling a traditional straight life with a more hedonistic gay one and finds his two worlds colliding when his fiancee gets pregnant and his boyfriend proposes. (Pitch deck with pilot script available on request.)
Tags: Sausage & Sushi, Diverse Voices presented by WeScreenplay(Semi Finalist), ISA, WeScreenplay

SAUSAGE & SUSHI pilot makes quarterfinals x 2
By: Dale Winton
Great to see the script for Dale Winton's show SAUSAGE & SUSHI advance to the QFs in both the Shore Scripts Pilot Contest and the ScreenCraft Pilot Launch.
Tags: Sausage & Sushi, ScreenCraft Pilot Launch Contest(Semi Finalist), Shore Scripts Screenwriting Competition(Semi Finalist), ISA, ScreenCraft, Shore Scripts

World Wide Distribution

By: michael mccarthy
In 2020 after HAG OF BLACK HOWE MOOR won over eight festival awards, the movie was picked up for World Wide distribution on all platforms by the S M G Films.

Giancarlo Fusi Awarded the Sklar Prize to Study Social Impact Filmmaking

By: Giancarlo Fusi
The Sklar Prize is a fellowship awarded to students of exceptional promise in directing, producing and screenwriting. It is named after the late Robert Sklar, a pioneer in the development of the modern fields of film and media studies. Giancarlo was awarded the fellowship to join the inaugural class of Stony Brook Manhattan's Certificate in Social Impact Filmmaking program. Over the next year, he will be training in activism and making movies that matter while writing and directing a documentary film.
More SuccessDown Aroow

Giancarlo Fusi's VIOLETTE HAYES Awarded by Florida Challenge & Ivy FilmFest
By: Giancarlo Fusi
The supernatural short VIOLETTE HAYES: A True Story set in the Florida Keys was awarded a Certificate of Excellence in Screenwriting by the Florida Short Script Challenge. It was also awarded 3rd place in the Graduate Short Screenplay category at the Ivy Film Festival, the largest student-run film festival in the world held annually at Brown University. Although the festival was held virtually this April due to the coronavirus pandemic, a reading of excerpts from the award-winning scripts performed by Brown drama students was streamed online.
Tags: Violette Hayes: A True Story,

Giancarlo Fusi Invited to United Artists 100th Anniversary Networking Mixer
By: Giancarlo Fusi
Award-winning screenwriter Giancarlo Fusi was one of the select few invited by the Latino Filmmakers Network to a Q&A and networking mixer for emerging artists of color in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of United Artists at MGM Studios in Beverly Hills with the purpose of providing a better understanding of how creative talent can establish relationships at the studio level. The Presidents of both MGM Motion Pictures and MGM Television were present, in addition to top executives from TV shows The Handmaid’s Tale, Fargo, and Vikings, as well as movie franchises Rocky, Creed, The Hobbit and James Bond 007.
Tags: First of April,

Giancarlo Fusi Awarded a Mentorship with Legendary Filmmaker Roger Corman
By: Giancarlo Fusi
Giancarlo was awarded the Writers Residency at the Bahamas International Film Festival. The selected writers were mentored one-on-one by industry pros at one of the 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World according to MovieMaker. The lead mentor was indie film trailblazer Roger Corman, famous for giving a start to several top Hollywood actors & directors. Joining him was his wife Julie Corman, former head of the NYU film school and a noted producer in her own right. Additional mentors included Jib Polhemus, founder of Source Management and producer on Tomb Raider & The Expendables 2, Antonio D’Intino, literary manager at Circle of Confusion, and producer Dara Cohen, who's developed projects as far-ranging as Saving Private Ryan & Zoolander.
Tags: Hell Hound: The Legend of Robert Johnson,

Giancarlo Fusi's VIOLETTE HAYES Wins Best Screenplay at SOMA Film Festival
By: Giancarlo Fusi
After a dazzling table read by lead actors James McMenamin, who plays correctional officer Charlie Coates on Orange is the New Black, along with Jeremy Beck and Molly Wright Stuart who’ve both appeared on Law & Order and more hit TV shows, the supernatural coming-of-age comedy VIOLETTE HAYES: A True Story won 1st place in the SOMA Film Festival short-length screenplay competition plus a cash prize to be used towards the film's production.
Tags: Violette Hayes: A True Story,

Script Sold/Hires Pending

By: M Sieve
Thanks to ISA, my heavily awarded script PRAYER sold to an undisclosed (NDA) production company. As well, the success of PRAYER lead to two more hires, one for a faith-based feature, nearing completion, and negotiations now underway for a 10-epi dramatic series.

Sieve Receives Multiple Wins at California Film Awards
By: M Sieve
M B Sieve strikes twice at the California Film Awards placing 2nd in the feature screenplay competition with his latest feature "Soul to Soul", and outright winning the short script competition with his multiple award winning short "Give My Love to Rose". 

REDNECKS Optioned

By: Christopher Byram
Christopher Byram's screenplay REDNECKS has been optioned by one of the Exec Producers of American Gods and is currently out to potential commissioners including Netflix, Amazon and HBO.

THE REAL THING - Los Angeles Independent Film Festival Awards (2020)

By: Matthew Papadopoulos
THE REAL THING, Winner: 2nd Place Best Screenplay Feature, Los Angeles Independent Film Festival Awards (2020), Los Angeles, California USA. With this placing, Matthew's screenplay brings up its 30th win milestone since June 2019. 

The Real Thing - New Media Film Festival (2020)
By: Matthew Papadopoulos
The Real Thing, Winner: Best Script, New Media Film Festival (2020), Los Angeles, California USA. Award presenter and judge for screenplays Chelsea Lo Pinto (Director of HBO Program Strategy & Planning) states that the winner of Best Script "exemplifies these qualities [innovation and vitality] and, most importantly, adds something to the genre that is unexpected and new". 
Tags: The Real Thing, New Media Film Festival Scripts Competition(1st Place), New Media Film Festival

YOU MUST BE AN INDUSTRY APPROVED PRO
TO VIEW THIS CONTENT

(If you are a writer and want to be considered for the TOP 25, you must be an ISAConnect Member)

SPOTLIGHT

These are the top success stories listed by ISAConnect Members only. Many come from ISA Writing Gigs, the ISA Fast Track, the ISA Development Slate, the ISA’s Top 25 Screenwriters To Watch plus other ISAConnect Members who have demonstrated additional success throughout the industry. This includes but is not limited to winning or placing in contests, receiving a fellowship, a writing assignment, representation and/or getting a script produced, optioned or sold. We welcome posting your success from any part of the industry!

Anyone can upgrade to ISAConnect. Upgrade to the Yearly Membership on any contest page and you’ll receive a free contest entry! If you are an industry pro and interested in viewing the work of these emerging writers, please request Industry Pro status.

Sign Up for News
Follow Us
© 2016-2020 International Screenwriter's Association.
All rights reserved.
design by Danielle Green & Greypath

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you accept and understand our Privacy Policy, and our Terms Of Use.

ACCEPT