Montclair Film has announced the winners of the inaugural Emerging Screenwriter Competition, which was open to students in the eighth through 12th grade from around the world working on screenplays in drama, comedy, horror, sci-fi/fantasy and action/adventure categories.
Finalists were invited to attend a red-carpet award ceremony at Montclair Film’s Cinema505. The awards were given by a jury of professionals in the industry and featured a live reading of “Resurrection,” the grand prize-winning script written by Sam Zaslow-Braverman. The reading was performed by a professional cast.
Several finalists were from Montclair public and private schools.
“The range and depth of the work of these young writers is so incredibly inspiring,” Montclair Film education director Sue Hollenberg said in an announcement from the group. “We are proud to be able to celebrate the excellence of our award-winning writers, and so grateful to all of the students who submitted work to our inaugural program.”
The winners of the 2022 Emerging Filmmakers Competition are:
Grand Prize Winner:
Sam Zaslow-Braverman, Golda Och Academy — “Resurrection”
Drama:
WINNER: Gwendolyn Baily, Fusion Academy — “Stella and Jack”
FINALISTS: Amelia Knapp, Montclair High School — “When the Stars Align;” Santiago Tapia Torres, Cooper City High School — “Mel’s First Date”
Comedy
WINNER: Sam Zaslow-Braverman, Golda Och Academy — “Resurrection”
FINALISTS: Jose Santos, Donald M. Payne Tech — “The Breakup;” Michael Liotta, Glen Ridge High School — “Rokie”
Horror
WINNER: Ross Perlman, Columbia High School — “The Swell of Waves”
FINALISTS: Emily Kalosieh, Waldwick High School — “Dead by Ten;” Willow Killebrew, Montclair Kimberly Academy — “Red: Maturation Cut”
Sci-Fi/Fantasy
WINNER: Sahana Mishra, Northern Valley Demarest High School — “Redemption”
FINALISTS: Jason Lewis, Montclair High School — “The Artist and His Pen;” Luis Zonenberg, Klein High School — “Kingdom, Chapter 3: Ghosts of the Forgotten”
Action/Adventure
WINNER: Dylan Gill, Columbia High School — “Natives”
FINALISTS: Jacques Ciambra, Montclair High School — “Changing Frames;” Jacob Rincon, Cathedral High School — “Foolproof”