In the spirit of “A Christmas Story,” an unlucky kid from an eccentric family embarks on a disastrous quest to obtain the most coveted present of the 1982 holiday season — an Atari 2600!
CAST LIST:
Narrator: Elizabeth Rose Morriss
Dad: Dan Cristofori
Mason: Brennan Clost
Radio: Connor Lyon
TV Chorus: Shaun Mazoka
News Reporter: Julie C. Sheppard
Get to know the writer:
What is your screenplay about?
In the spirit of A CHRISTMAS STORY and CHRISTMAS VACATION, it’s about a kid from a crazy family on a quest to get the most popular and expensive toy of the holiday season — an Atari 2600!
What genres does your screenplay fall under?
Family Holiday Comedy
Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
Because Hollywood hasn’t made a good live action Christmas comedy for the entire family since ELF (nearly fifteen years ago.)
How would you describe this script in two words?
Funny & nostalgic
What movie have you seen the most times in your life?
BLADE RUNNER
How long have you been working on this screenplay?
Over a year (with lots of starts and stops)
How many stories have you written?
To date, I’ve written about 18 screenplays (at least half of which truly stink)
What is your favorite song? (Or, what song have you listened to the most times in your life?)
According to my iTunes, ROAR by Katy Perry
What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
Finding time to write it with work and going back to school
Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
I’ve always loved to draw
You entered your screenplay via FilmFreeway. What has been your experiences working with the submission platform site?
Very user friendly
What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?
Everybody told me it wasn’t commercial enough to get made but my college professor encouraged me to ignore the cynics, get it out in the world and see see if other people want to see a fun live action Christmas movie as much as I do. I LOVED the feedback from the festival. Honest. Thoughtful. Insightful and very constructive.
A washed up child actress tries to make a comeback by starring in a TV series about a washed up child actress who’s trying to make a comeback.
Genre: Family, Drama
CAST LIST:
Narrator: Laura Kyswaty
Charlee: Premika Leo
Kip: James Boutcher
Guard: Luke Robinson
Get to know the writer:
What is your screenplay about?
Forever Charlee is about a 12-year-old actress – a child super-star, actually – who is washed up before she even becomes a teen but is given the chance to play a character in a TV series whose life scarily parallels her own.
What genres does your screenplay fall under?
Forever Charlee is a half-hour sitcom with dramatic overtones.
Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
I feel this story speaks to anyone who strives to be “on top” but for one reason or another ends up failing. It’s about all the things we hope to be and the things we hope for our own children.
How would you describe this script in two words?
Diabolically hilarious.
What movie have you seen the most times in your life?
A tie between The Time Machine (1960) and The Dish. I watched The Time Machine in the theatre 13 times in a row, over two days, and The Dish, a sweet Australian film, on DVD just about as many.
How long have you been working on this screenplay?
On and off for about a year. The version you have is pretty much like the original which went down on paper in about six hours. I polished a little after.
How many stories have you written?
Easily over 100.
What is your favorite song? (Or, what song have you listened to the most times in your life?)
This is hard. Probably Pat Boone’s April Love. Why? It was released during a pretty significant coming-of-age time
for me and still conjures up those feelings whenever I hear it (or whenever I need those feelings).
What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
None, really. I’m always in a fight with potential producers over my work — they nearly always insist my characters
“should be older.” So the “obstacle” is an internal one for me: I need to follow my instinct and block out everything
else.
Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
Oh my. My family. I’m also a filmmaker. I’m a designer. I sail. I used to fly sailplanes and airplanes. Too many “passions” to list here.
You entered your screenplay via FilmFreeway. What has been your experiences working with the submission platform site?
I really like FilmFreeway. When I began entering competitions, I used “the other portal” because that’s all there was.
FF has been a real delight and their staff is immensely courteous when providing help. They are also responsive to suggested changes & additions.
When the mysterious toy store owner gives orphaned Jack a real mermaid, his aunt and uncle must learn the difference between real and imaginary, before the mermaid kidnaps him, and they never see him again.
CAST LIST:
NARRATOR – Helen Kas
JACK – Andy Bridge
BUDDY – Vincent Marciano
BARSIN – David Schaap
DARA – Holly Sarchfield
DOLLY – Laura Kyswaty
GRANDMA – Joan Ban
Watch the First Scene Reading of THE DARKNESS OF THE MOOR:
SYNOPSIS:
It’s about a guy who can’t tell if the devil’s taken his daughter or if he’s relapsing back into mental health problems
CAST LIST:
NARRATOR – Judy Thrush
HEATHER – Aidan Black Allen
OLIVER – David Poon
LYNTHER – Gene Abella
STEVE – Clinton Pontes
ANNE-MARIE – Anjelica Alejandro
OPERATOR – Victoria Kucher
Read interview with writer James Everett:
1. Why should your script be made into a film?
It’s an exciting story that takes you to another world. It’s what film / TV should do I think.
2. How long have you been writing screenplays?
10 years.
3. What movie have you seen the most in your life?
Back to the Future.
4. What artists would you love to work with?
Bill Nighy, Alfred Molina, Glenn Close, Maggie Smith, Christopher Lloyd, Imogen Poots, Juliette Binoche, John Malcovich, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Ian McShane, Kayvan Novak, Billy Crystal
5. How many stories/screenplays have you written?
20+ all at various stages
6. Ideally, where would you like to be in 5 years?
Writing features / my own TV shows
7. Describe your process; do you have a set routine, method for writing?
Get up early. Get it done in first half of day if possible then go back to the real world.
8. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
Music, theatre, skateboarding, Lego, stand up comedy, London, New York, Billy Crystal
9. What influenced you to enter script contest?
To have your work brought to life. It’s why you bother in the first place.
10. Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?
Never give up. Always accept you’ll never stop learning.
FAMILY 1st SCENE Screenplay – MY ATARI CHRISTMAS 
ADVENTURE 1st SCENE Screenplay – THE MONSTER HUNTERS CODE 
FAMILY 1st Scene Screenplay – FOREVER CHARLEE 
1st SCENE Screenplay – WEBBED 
1st SCENE Screenplay – WELCOME TO ARCADIA 
1st SCENE Screenplay – EKKO 
1st SCENE Screenplay – BROKEN FRAME 
1st SCENE Screenplay – WEBBED
FAN FICTION Screenplay – ROCKETEERS
THE MAN WHO DOESN’T SLEEP, 15min, Canada, Drama
MAGIC RADIO, 9min, USA, Family/Comedy 
WALLY, 24min, USA, LGBT, Documentary
FESTIVAL for FAMILY 