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. 56 Success Stories Listed.

Fast-Track Alum Sean Collins-Smith Accepted into Sony TV Program!

By: Sean Collins-Smith
Previous ISA Fast-Track Fellow Sean Collins-Smith was accepted into the inaugural Sony TV Pictures Diverse Writers Program! He was invited because of his limited series pilot WONDER DRUG, which is being called “CHERNOBYL meets ERIN BROCKIVICH.” The script chronicles the worldwide thalidomide tragedy of the 1960s, when the drug killed tens of thousands of newborn babies, and one FDA employee’s attempts to prevent it from reaching America. Readers on The Black List have called the pilot "remarkable," "fascinating," and "impeccably crafted." Sean will spend six weeks learning from writers, showrunners and execs within the Sony family.

Fellowship, Contest Wins and ISA Top 25
By: Sean Collins-Smith
Sean won the ISA Fast Track Fellowship in 2018 and signed with a manager. After then being selected as an ISA Top 25 Screenwriter to Watch, Sean has had a string of successes. He landed on the Austin Film Festival's Top Writers to Watch and placed as a finalist in Screencraft's Pilot Launch with THE SECRET LIFE OF INBRED MUTANTS, a 30-minute comedy pilot. He also placed as a finalist in WeScreenplay's TV Pilot Competition with his 60-minute pilot, LOST IN THE FLOOD, and was a finalist for ABC/Disney's Writers Program earlier this year. ------"The ISA is rocket fuel for your screenwriting career -- 7 months after winning the Fast Track Fellowship, I was in Los Angeles, I had a manager and I was taking general meetings!" - Sean Collins-Smith
Tags: Lost in the Flood,

Steven Michael's suspense thriller EMPATH earns honor

By: Steven Michael
The dark mind of an empathic serial killer is exposed in EMPATH, and has earned semi-finalist honors in the Table Read My Screenplay Genre competition for 2021.
More SuccessDown Aroow

OUR BETTER ANGELS Earns Status
By: Steven Michael
Steven Michael's screenplay, OUR BETTER ANGELS, is in the top 2% of all screenplays on Coverfly, and earned top 3% honors for all drama scripts.
Tags: Our Better Angels,

OUR BETTER ANGELS Awards
By: Steven Michael
A new take on an old cliche has earned OUR BETTER ANGELS finalist honors in the Screencraft Family Screenplay contest 2021. What started as a writing exercise resulted in numerous awards across a spectrum of screenplay competitions. Steven E Michael wants to graciously thank each contest. Now the hard part - do it again!
Tags: Our Better Angels, ScreenCraft Family Screenplay Contest(Quarter Finalist)

OUR BETTER ANGELS moves up to semi-finalist honors
By: Steven Michael
The story of two disparate people thrust together has garnered another award in the Screencraft Family Drama Screenplay Contest for 2021. The screenplay moved on from quarter-finalist to semi-finalist.
Tags: Our Better Angels, ScreenCraft Family Screenplay Contest(Quarter Finalist)

Steven Michael's EMPATH Honored Again
By: Steven Michael
The 2021 Southern California Screenplay Contest has honored Steve's newest screenplay, EMPATH, with quarter-finalist and semi-finalist awards.
Tags: EMPATH, Southern California Screenplay Competition(Quarter Finalist)

ANTILLIA: CONQUEST GOLD Advances to Finals of Table Read My Screenplay 2021

By: Jason Todd
ANTILLIA: CONQUEST GOLD is a Semifinalist and Top 100 in the Action/Adventure genre in the 2021 Table Read My Screenplay Competition, and has advanced to the final round of judging in April. ANTILLIA: CONQUEST GOLD is the story of a mixed-race family coming together after a tragedy. Set in the Florida Keys in 1980, the lives of Pan Am flight attendant Chelsea Goldsmith, her older sister Shelly, and younger brother River are thrown into chaos when they learn a series of shocking revelations. Antillia has Semifinalist placements in the WeScreenplay TV Contest (2020), TRMS Genre Competition (2020), and Filmmatic Pitch Now - Season 3 (2021)
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ANTILLIA Advances to Semifinals of ScreenCraft Public Domain Competition
By: Jason Todd
ANTILLIA: CONQUEST GOLD has advanced to the semifinal round of the 2021 ScreenCraft True Story & Public Domain Competition. This is the third accolade for Antillia in 2021, including Top 100 for Table Read My Screenplay - Genre Competition and Semifinalist in Filmmatic Pitch Now (season 3).
Tags: Antillia: Conquest Gold, WeScreenplay Television Competition(Official Selection), Filmmatic Screenplay Awards(Official Selection), Script Summit(Official Selection), Scriptation Showcase - TV Comedy & Drama Pilots(Official Selection), Los Angeles International Screenplay Awards(Official Selection), ScreenCraft Public Domain Screenplay Competition(Official Selection), Table Read My Screenplay Genre Competition(Official Selection), Table Read My Screenplay Genre Competition (Action, Horror, Mystery)(Official Selection), Screenwriters Network Screenplay Competition(Official Selection)

ISA PRO Requests a Read - ANTILLIA now Top 3% on Coverfly
By: Jason Todd
Big Thanks to the International Screenwriters Association for featuring ANTILLIA: CONQUEST GOLD in the ISA Spotlight. An Industry Pro took notice and requested a read! After some recent contest placements, ANTILLIA is now in the Top 3% of scripts on Coverfly, and #4 on the Red List for Adventure Pilots in the past year.
Tags: Antillia: Conquest Gold, WeScreenplay Television Competition(Official Selection), Filmmatic Screenplay Awards(Official Selection), Script Summit(Official Selection), Los Angeles International Screenplay Awards(Official Selection), Table Read My Screenplay Genre Competition(Official Selection), Table Read My Screenplay Genre Competition (Action, Horror, Mystery)(Official Selection), Screenwriters Network Screenplay Competition(Official Selection)

ANTILLIA: CONQUEST GOLD Advances to Semifinals in SWN Screenplay Comp
By: Jason Todd
ANTILLIA: CONQUEST GOLD has advanced to the semifinal round for the Screenwriters Network (SWN) Screenplay Competition. This follows a semifinalist placement in the 2020 Filmmatic Pitch Now (season 3) competition earlier this year. ANTILLIA: CONQUEST GOLD is currently in the Top 5 on the Coverfly Red List for Adventure TV pilots.
Tags: Antillia: Conquest Gold, WeScreenplay Television Competition(Semi Finalist), Filmmatic Screenplay Awards(Semi Finalist), Scriptation Showcase - TV Comedy & Drama Pilots(Semi Finalist), Los Angeles International Screenplay Awards(Semi Finalist), ScreenCraft Public Domain Screenplay Competition(Semi Finalist), Table Read My Screenplay Genre Competition(Semi Finalist), Table Read My Screenplay Genre Competition (Action, Horror, Mystery)(Semi Finalist), Screenwriters Network Screenplay Competition(Semi Finalist)

EPHEMERAL advanced to the 2020 Big Break Semifinals

By: Justin Olson
Justin Olson's screenplay EPHEMERAL was selected for the 2020 Big Break Semifinals. Each year, the competition steadily grows in both talent and submissions. Their readers have the unenviable task of advancing less than half of the quarter-finalists' scripts, and his made the cut.

Signed with Kathy Muraviov of the The Muraviov Company

By: Gregory Houghton
After four of his scripts (two pilots and two features) all placed semifinalist or better in the 2021 Chicago Screenplay Awards -- with one TOP 10 FINALIST PLACEMENT -- Gregory was immediately signed by literary manager Kathy Muraviov of the The Muraviov Company.
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JUST IN! The Epiphany of Faye Optioned
By: Gregory Houghton
Gregory Scott Houghton is thrilled to announce his new feature THE EPIPHANY OF FAYE has been optioned by Producers Steve Straka of Quixotic Road and Frank Lotito of Emedia Films who is slated to direct.
Tags: The Epiphany of Faye, Chicago Screenplay Awards(Semi Finalist)

Gregory Houghton goes 4 for 4 in 2021 Chicago Screenplay Awards!
By: Gregory Houghton
Out of thousands of submissions, Gregory Houghton has taken home FOUR placements in the 2021 Chicago Screenplay Awards for the four scripts he submitted. His thriller pilot TRACE took quarterfinalist. His two dramedy features The Epiphany of Faye and Pontiac Diary were both semifinalists. While his dramedy pilot TRAILER PARK ALLI took TOP TEN FINALIST!

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

HURRICANE TARA storms Big Break, Visionfest and Zedfest

By: Kyle Curry
Kyle Curry's feature spec HURRICANE TARA swept through several competitions. The female-led adventure won 1st place at the Visionfest, 2nd place at Zed Fest, and is among the Top 5 Action/Adventure Finalists in the Final Draft Big Break competition.

WOKE makes Top 5 at the 2020 Final Draft Big Break Competition

By: Johnny Gilligan
ISA Top 25 in 2021 writer Johnny Gilligan's 1 Hr Sci-Fi Pilot WOKE makes the TOP 5 in the 2020 Final Draft Big Break Competition in the 1-Hr Pilot category. Top 3 will be announced soon.
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REVELATIONS, WOKE, SYMBIONTS by Johnny Gilligan Screencraft Fellowship QFs
By: Johnny Gilligan
ISA Top 25 2021 Writer Johnny Gilligan's 1 Hr TV Sci-Fi Pilot scripts REVELATIONS, WOKE and SYMBIONTS all make the 2021 Sceencraft Fellowship Contest Quarter-Finals.
Tags: REVELATIONS (Pilot), ScreenCraft Screenwriting Fellowship(Semi Finalist)

REVELATIONS by Johnny Gilligan Takes Write Movies 2nd Place
By: Johnny Gilligan
ISA Top 25 2021 Writer Johnny Gilligan's 1 Hr TV Sci-Fi Pilot script REVELATIONS takes second place at 2021 Write Movies Competition.
Tags: REVELATIONS (Pilot), WriteMovies Screenwriting Contest(2nd Place)

REFORMED by Johnny Gilligan Stowe Labs Fellowship Semi-Finalist
By: Johnny Gilligan
ISA Top 25 2021 Screenwriter Johnny Gilligan's 1 Hr TV Crime-Drama Pilot script REFORMED makes the Stowe Labs Fellowship Semi-Finals.
Tags: RE.FORM(ED), Stowe Story Labs(Semi Finalist)

REVELATIONS by Johnny Gilligan Takes 2nd Place at 2021 Cinestory
By: Johnny Gilligan
ISA Top 25 2021 Writer Johnny Gilligan's Sci-fi 1 Hr TV Pilot script REVELATIONS takes 2nd place in the Sci-Fi/Fantasy category of 2021 Cinestory TV competition. As a result of the placement, Johnny will be joining the 2021 Cinestory TV Retreat at the end of March.
Tags: REVELATIONS (Pilot), CineStory T V / Digital Retreat & Fellowship(2nd Place)

REVELATIONS by Johnny Gilligan wins 2020 DUMBO New York Film Festival Comp
By: Johnny Gilligan
ISA Top 25 2021 Writer Johnny Gilligan's Sci-fi 1 Hr TV Pilot script REVELATIONS wins the 2020 DUMBO New York Film Festival Competition. The win comes with a cash prize of $500, a writers retreat invitation and professional script consultations with the judges.
Tags: REVELATIONS (Pilot),

ISA Development Slate 2021

By: Nicholas Horwood
Nicholas' script SPRING-HEELED JACK won the Action-adventure category in Emerging Screenwriters Genre Screenplay Competition. This accolade meant that he has now been selected for the ISA's Development Slate.
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SPRING-HEELED JACK comes 2nd in WriteMovies' Summer Screenwriting Contest
By: Nicholas Horwood
Nicholas Horwood's TV pilot SPRING-HEELED JACK has come second out of 1000 entries in the WriteMovies Summer 2020 Screenwriting Contest. The script is a Victorian action-adventure based on a 1904 Penny Dreadful.
Tags: SPRING-HEELED JACK (FEATURE), WriteMovies Seasonal Screenwriting Contest(2nd Place)

Nicholas Horwood makes the 2015 Emerging Screenwriters Top 100
By: Nicholas Horwood

Nicholas Horwood's "Journey To The Lost Island Of Killer Dinosaurs!", a period comedy about a group of eccentric Victorian explorers, has made the 2015 Emerging Screenwriter's Top 100.

 

LOGLINE: A group of eccentric Victorian explorers go on a quest to find a mysterious island full of mutant ducks, sabre-toothed squirrels, feminist cavewomen and ferocious man eating dinosaurs.

Tags: Emerging Screenwriters Screenplay Competition

Nicholas Horwood's LANCELOT makes Cinestory Semifinals
By: Nicholas Horwood

Nicholas Horwood's LANCELOT has reached the semifinals of the prestigeous Cinestory Screenwriting Awards.

Finalists are announced in late June. Winners are announced in early July.

Tags: CineStory Screenwriting Awards

Nicholas Horwood's LANCELOT makes Cinestory Quarterfinals
By: Nicholas Horwood

Nicholas Horwood's LANCELOT has reached the quarterfinals of the prestigeous Cinestory Screenwriting Awards quarterfinals out of over 500 enties.

LANCELOT recently won the Grand Prize in Final Draft's Big Break Contest and the Gold Prize in PAGE International Awards. It also came first in the 100 Screenplays Contest.

Tags: CineStory Screenwriting Awards, Final Draft Big Break Screenwriting Contest, PAGE International Screenwriting Awards

ISA Fast Track Fellowship Effect

By: Robert Ripley
Testimonial: ISA's Fast Track fellowship was a fantastic experience. During the fellowship week of meeting, I met some fantastic people who had read my pilot, were so welcoming and curious - just the kind of people I hope and love to meet in our industry. But the meetings were more than just good discussion, they were productive - I had three executives ask to send along additional scripts. Those meetings, along with a year of support that comes with the fellowship, entering ISA's Fast Track was a smart investment, and one that has me setup for a productive, career-changing 2021.

SUGAR LAND for Top 25 writer
By: Robert Ripley
Since becoming an ISA Top 25 Writer, Rob Ripley has optioned his one-hour pilot, SUGAR LAND and he is about to go out with two new pilots in early 2020. He has also been hired for three feature writing assignments - two rewrites and one adapting a short film script into a feature. ------ "If you're looking for an organization that provides you with candid, helpful feedback on projects, amazing networking opportunities, and a supportive circle of professionals. then I can't recommend ISA enough." - R.B Ripley
Tags: Sugar Land,

ISA Development Slate 2021

By: Rae Jones
As a part of the Grand Prize for her screenplay, WHAT'S LEFT OF US Rae Jones was invited to join ISA's Development Slate in 2021. She has already had a meeting with the Development Team, and is looking forward to an exciting year ahead.

ISA Fast Track Fellowship Effect

By: T. Siena
Testimonial: As a novelist, I came late to the screenwriting industry and had no idea how to get my work into the tight network of agents, managers and producers. Then I entered and won the 2019 ISA Fast Track award and everything changed! I now have industry pros requesting my work. My most recent TV Pilot, HIGHER PRIMATES is represented by 5X5 productions and being read by executives at Amazon, CBS, MSM Tollin and Indy Entertainment. Thank you ISA!

ISA Fast Track Fellowship Effect

By: Danielle Nicki
Testimonial: Entering the Fast Track competition was a great investment in my career. The connections I was able to make during the week of general meetings have proven invaluable. In addition to the pilot that ISA sent them before we met, three executives asked to read additional scripts during our call! There are lots of screenwriting competitions out there, but Fast Track provides a year of support and can get you in front of people who can help change your career.

ISA Fast Track Fellowship Effect

By: Christopher DeWan
Testimonial: During my ISA Fast Track Fellowship, I spent one glorious whirlwind week meeting industry insiders—and the relationships that began that week are still an important part of my professional life all these years later. The people I met that week continue to champion my work, and I now have friends and advocates at some of the best production companies and studios in Hollywood.
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LOVE IN THE TIME OF KAIJU Optioned
By: Christopher DeWan
Christopher DeWan's serialized drama LOVE IN THE TIME OF KAIJU has been optioned to an undisclosed media company [NDA] for development. The series follows the growing tensions in a Rust Belt community that's been forced to hide in their homes, communicating only via social media—because outside, their town is overrun by battling kaiju monsters.
Tags: Love in the Time of Kaiju ,

WUNDERLAND optioned by Omnifilm Entertainment
By: Christopher DeWan
WUNDERLAND, Chris DeWan's TV series set inside a VR world, has been optioned by Vancouver-based Omnifilm Entertainment
Tags: Wunderland,

AVALON optioned by Awesomeness TV
By: Christopher DeWan
Chris DeWan's screenplay AVALON, a "gay, teen Shape of Water," has been optioned by Awesomeness/Viacom
Tags: Avalon,

Christopher DeWan - Shows in Production + Writing Residencies
By: Christopher DeWan
Since being selected as one of ISA's Top 25, Chris has developed a TV show with Electric Entertainment, partnered with a showrunner, and now has two new shows in development with two other studios. He's been awarded a pair of writing residencies, guest-lectured a few workshops on screenwriting, and, on the side, wound up writing a book of nonfiction journalism for Harper-Collins to be released in spring of 2020. ----- "In an industry where we often feel alone, the ISA gives us a team of steadfast allies who not only know the industry, but who also understand writers." - Christopher DeWan

ISA DEVELOPMENT SLATE LEADS TO MANAGER

By: Denise Meyers
A new management company recently found LUCKY 13, FREEFALL, POWDERKEG and the TV pilot for THE DARK OF NIGHT on the International Screenwriters Association website and is now in negotiations with writer Denise Meyers to represent her material. Meyers is the 2019 inaugural recipient of a Sloan Foundation Development Grant in partnership with the Athena Film Festival and Barnard College, a development grant winner through the Stowe Story Labs and winner of the Atlanta Film Festival Screenwriting Competition.
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HOMEFRONT Advances to the Second Round of SUNDANCE EPISODIC
By: Denise Meyers
Stowe Story Labs participants, Denise Meyers and Todd Tavolazzi have advanced to the second round for Sundance Episodic with their spec TV pilot, HOMEFRONT, about the lives of four diverse Americans in Galveston, Texas, during World War Two. Meyers, who recently placed in the Top Ten for the ISA's Table Read My Screenplay's Genre Competition with her script RIDE THE WIND; The Bessie Stringfield Story, and Tavolazzi, a finalist in the ScreenCraft Film Fund with THE LAST RESCUE are currently at work on the pitch deck for the series.
Tags: HOMEFRONT, Sundance Episodic Lab(Semi Finalist)

EVERYTHING AND NOTHING Genre Winner (Drama) 2020 Fast Track Fellowship
By: Denise Meyers
EVERYTHING AND NOTHING, based on the true story about a female jockey who agrees to train a mounted anti-poaching unit in the Eastern Cape, was selected by the ISA Fast Track Fellowship as a Genre Winner (Drama).
Tags: Everything and Nothing, ISA Fast Track Fellowship(Category Winner)

LUCKY 13 Is a Finalist for the 2020 Screencraft Fellowship
By: Denise Meyers
LUCKY 13 has been selected from out of nearly 3000 submissions as a Finalist for the 2020 Screencraft Fellowship. The selection represents 1.5 percent of submissions, and adds to the growing list of accolades for this powerfully written screenplay about female pilots in World War Two. LUCKY 13 is the inaugural recipient of a Sloan Foundation Development Grant, awarded a development grant by the Stowe Story Labs for their 2020 fall season, won the Atlanta Film Festival Screenplay Competition and was a Finalist for The Writers Lab and the Nashville Film Festival.
Tags: LUCKY 13, ScreenCraft Screenwriting Fellowship(Finalist)

LUCKY 13 Selected by Stowe Story Labs for a Fall Development Grant
By: Denise Meyers
The Stowe Story Lab has selected LUCKY 13 for a $1000 development grant for the 2020 Fall Lab in Stowe, VT. LUCKY 13 is the inaugural recipient of a Sloan Foundation development grant. The script won the Atlanta Film Festival Screenwriting Competition in 2017 and has also been a finalist for The Writers Lab, the Nashville Film Festival and placed in the Next 100 for the Nicholl Fellowship in 2019.
Tags: LUCKY 13, Stowe Story Labs(Finalist)

Ted Campbell Wraps A DANGEROUS DEFENSE for MarVista Entertainment

By: Ted Campbell
Ted Campbell's feature writing and directing debut A DANGEROUS DEFENSE wrapped principle photography in Los Angeles this week. The indie thriller is produced by MarVista Entertainment and Shadowboxer Films. Next up, Ted is writing and directing another thriller for MVE. As well as directing his award winning heist thriller UNDERGROUND for Film Bridge International and New York based Choice Films. Ted was named a Top Screenwriter to Watch in 2018 and is a member of ISA's Development Slate.
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Ted Campbell wraps CHEATING SCANDAL for MarVista Entertainment
By: Ted Campbell
Ted Campbell recently wrapped principle photography on the indie thriller CHEATING SCANDAL in Los Angeles. Co-written with Richard Pierce, this is Ted's third feature as writer/director for MarVista Entertainment. Other titles include, A DANGEROUS DEFENSE and KILLER PROFILE, which was written by Richard Pierce. All three projects were produced by MarVista Entertainment in association with Shadowboxer Films. Up next, Ted is writing and directing his award winning heist thriller UNDERGROUND for Film Bridge International and New York based Choice Films. Ted was named a Top Screenwriter to Watch in 2018 and is a member of ISA's Development Slate.

Ted Campbell wraps KILLER PROFILE for MarVista Entertainment
By: Ted Campbell
Ted Campbell recently wrapped principle photography on KILLER PROFILE in Los Angeles. The indie thriller is written by Richard Pierce. And produced by MarVista Entertainment and Shadowboxer Films. Next up, Ted is writing and directing his award winning heist thriller UNDERGROUND for Film Bridge International and New York based Choice Films. Ted was named a Top Screenwriter to Watch in 2018 and is a member of ISA's Development Slate.
Tags:

Ted Campbell's A DANGEROUS DEFENSE produced by MarVista Entertainment
By: Ted Campbell
Development Slate and Top 25 Screenwriter to Watch Ted Campbell, will write and direct the dramatic thriller A DANGEROUS DEFENSE for MarVista Entertainment. The film will be produced by Robert Ballo and his Shadowboxer Films. VP of Development & Production at MarVista Entertainment Marianne Wunch will Executive Produce.

Ted Campbell's DEVIL WINDS Semi-Finalist Microbudget Horror Competition
By: Ted Campbell
Ted Campbell's contained supernatural triller DEVIL WINDS was named as a Semi-Finalist in Stage32's Microbudget Horror Competition.
Tags: Devil Winds, Stage 32

MAMADUKES named a Top 10 Comedy Script

By: Oliver Warren
Oliver Warren's pilot script MAMADUKES was selected as one of the TOP 10 COMEDY SCRIPTS in the Emerging Screenwriters Genre Competition. MAMADUKES has already caught the eye of incredible Exec Producer John Melfi (Sex & The City, House of Cards, The Morning Show). MAMADUKES is a 10 x 60min Comedy Drama Series about a heavily-pregnant freelance fashion designer, with a Peter Pan complex and combusting birth-plan, who opens her home to four other desperate soon-to-be single moms, and finds herself in a constant battle for the role of matriarch as they raise their newborns in a five-woman, five-baby, no men, East Village commune. Written and Created by Oliver Warren - One of the ISA’s Top 25 Screenwriters to Watch in 2021.
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MAMADUKES featured in the Top 20 All-Time Comedy on Coverfly's The Red List
By: Oliver Warren
Coverfly's The Red List now features MAMADUKES in the Top 20 Television Comedy (Hour Long) Red List. On the back of the Finalist placement in the Emerging Screenwriters' Comedy Genre competition, Mamadukes is a comedy script to watch!
Tags: Mamadukes,

Oliver Warren is named One of The Top 25 Screenwriters to Watch in 2021
By: Oliver Warren
Oliver feels incredibly honored to be named, by the international Screenwriter's Association, as one of the Top 25 Screenwriters to Watch in 2021.

Oliver Warren's Latest Original Pilot Picked Up For Development by HELLCAT
By: Oliver Warren
Oliver's latest pilot script, BOBBY & CLYDE, a gay road trip crime drama, has been picked up for development by Pippa Lambert's HELLCAT.

YA-thriller Pilot Script Commission, ICARUS SQUAD for Oliver Warren
By: Oliver Warren
One of the ISA's 'Top 25 Screenwriters in 2021', Oliver Warren, was recently commissioned to write an original pilot script for LA-based Euramco Pictures, a YA-thriller series called ICARUS SQUAD. Producer Renato Romano is keen for the series to enter production in 2021, and Oliver can't wait to see it brought to life.

BREAKWATER CITY wins Genre in Emerging Screenwriters Genre Competition

By: Jeremy Dehn
Jeremy Dehn's pilot, BREAKWATER CITY, has won the Mystery/Crime genre in the Emerging Screenwriters Genre Competition. This tops off a great year for Breakwater City, as it also was a quarterfinalist in the Final Draft Big Break, became a second rounder at the Austin Film Festival, and got Jeremy invited onto the ISA Development Slate, where he was named one of the Top 25 Screenwriters to Watch in 2021.

Beasts Undiscovered optioned & in development
By: Jeremy Dehn
This film is in development and scheduled to shoot in 2021, with the Jim Henson Creature Shop attached to create creature effects, some of which are already completed. The production has raised a significant amount of initial investment, and partnered with a renowned producer/sales agent currently working on casting, pre-sales, and completion of financing. Co-writer Jeremy Dehn is attached to direct.
Tags: Beasts Undiscovered, Nicholl Fellowship(Quarter Finalist), Stowe Story Labs(Quarter Finalist), Free ISA Virtual Pitch Challenge(Quarter Finalist)

Michael Graf wins Screenwriter's Residency Program in Bahamas

By: Michael Graf
Michael Graf was one of five feature screenwriters to win the Screenwriter's Residency Program at the Bahamas International Film Festival for his inspirational true story, THE LAST INDIAN WAR.
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Graf Selected Second Time For Bahamas Screenwriter Residency Program
By: Michael Graf
Michael Graf's quirky coming of age sports story, THROWING HAMMERS, was one of five screenplays selected as part of the Screenwriting Residency Program at the Bahamas International Film Festival. It's the second script for Graf to receive the honor.
Tags: THROWING HAMMERS, Bahamas International Film Festival(1st Place)

Graf Named First Writer In Residence at the UW Institute For Discovery
By: Michael Graf
Screenwriter and Director Michael Graf was named the very first Writer In Residence at the University of Wisconsin's Institute For Discovery as part of their Science To Script program. The program promotes STEM in the arts to encourage young people to pursue science and math related fields.
Tags: PICKET CHARLIE,

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.
Tags: THE LAST INDIAN WAR,

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)

FOLLOW THE BADGE by Jayson Crittenden Scores a Trifecta

By: Jayson Crittenden
The original story FOLLOW THE BADGE was selected as a top 25 Action/Adventure finalist in the Creative Screenwriting Unique Voices competition. The script was also chosen as a finalist in the Table Read My Screenplay Contest. Most recently, it was featured on Coverfly's The Red List.
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HARLEM HELL FIGHTERS by Jayson Crittenden Selected by The Red List
By: Jayson Crittenden
Jayson's historical pilot which tells the true story of the HARLEM HELL FIGHTERS was featured on The Red List's Top 20 for the month of February.
Tags: Harlem Hell Fighters,

KILLED TWICE IN TEXAS by Jayson Crittenden Scores Two More
By: Jayson Crittenden
KILLED TWICE IN TEXAS by Jayson Crittenden awarded honorable mention by Barnstorm Fest. This revisionist Western was also featured on The Red List during the entire month of January and into the first half of February.
Tags: Killed Twice in Texas, Barnstorm Fest(Honorable Mention)

HARLEM HELL FIGHTERS by Jayson Crittenden awarded by Emerging Screenwriters
By: Jayson Crittenden
After a record number of submissions, HARLEM HELL FIGHTERS by Jayson Crittenden was selected as a quarter-finalist in the Emerging Screenwriters Genre Screenplay Competition. Another humbling accomplishment for this remarkable true story.
Tags: Harlem Hell Fighters, Emerging Screenwriters Genre Screenplay Competition(Quarter Finalist)

KILLED TWICE IN TEXAS by Jayson Crittenden Thrives with Five
By: Jayson Crittenden
The Western, KILLED TWICE IN TEXAS, placed as finalist in both Drama and Action/Adventure categories in the Table Read My Screenplay Contest. This unique tale was also selected as a top 25 finalist in the Creative Screenwriting Unique Voices Screenplay Competition. Most recently, it was recognized as a top-ten finalist in Breaking Walls: The Ultimate Thriller Contest. In addition, this script was featured on Coverfly's The Red List.
Tags: Killed Twice in Texas, Breaking Walls Thriller Screenplay Contest, Creative Screenwriting, Table Read My Screenplay

KILLED TWICE IN TEXAS by Jayson Crittenden Thrives with Five

By: Jayson Crittenden
The Western, KILLED TWICE IN TEXAS, placed as finalist in both Drama and Action/Adventure categories in the Table Read My Screenplay Contest. This unique tale was also selected as a top 25 finalist in the Creative Screenwriting Unique Voices Screenplay Competition. Most recently, it was recognized as a top-ten finalist in Breaking Walls: The Ultimate Thriller Contest. In addition, this script was featured on Coverfly's The Red List.
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HARLEM HELL FIGHTERS by Jayson Crittenden Selected by The Red List
By: Jayson Crittenden
Jayson's historical pilot which tells the true story of the HARLEM HELL FIGHTERS was featured on The Red List's Top 20 for the month of February.
Tags: Harlem Hell Fighters,

KILLED TWICE IN TEXAS by Jayson Crittenden Scores Two More
By: Jayson Crittenden
KILLED TWICE IN TEXAS by Jayson Crittenden awarded honorable mention by Barnstorm Fest. This revisionist Western was also featured on The Red List during the entire month of January and into the first half of February.
Tags: Killed Twice in Texas, Barnstorm Fest(Honorable Mention)

HARLEM HELL FIGHTERS by Jayson Crittenden awarded by Emerging Screenwriters
By: Jayson Crittenden
After a record number of submissions, HARLEM HELL FIGHTERS by Jayson Crittenden was selected as a quarter-finalist in the Emerging Screenwriters Genre Screenplay Competition. Another humbling accomplishment for this remarkable true story.
Tags: Harlem Hell Fighters, Emerging Screenwriters Genre Screenplay Competition(Quarter Finalist)

FOLLOW THE BADGE by Jayson Crittenden Scores a Trifecta
By: Jayson Crittenden
The original story FOLLOW THE BADGE was selected as a top 25 Action/Adventure finalist in the Creative Screenwriting Unique Voices competition. The script was also chosen as a finalist in the Table Read My Screenplay Contest. Most recently, it was featured on Coverfly's The Red List.
Tags: Follow the Badge, Creative Screenwriting, Table Read My Screenplay
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(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.

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