Born outside Chicago, Illinois, Michael graduated from Sycamore High School in 1999 and enlisted in the United States Air Force as a radio communicator deploying twice to the Middle East. After receiving an honorable discharge in 2003, Michael graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in psychology in 2007. Michael was a finalist at the New York Screenplay Competition, Scriptapalooza, Hollywood Screenplay Contest, Pasadena … Continue reading Screenwriter Michael Dunker on Writing “Amelia Earhart”

Andy Garland is a playwright, director and screenwriter currently residing in Vancouver, British Columbia. Some of his previous works include “A Year Off,” (Special Merit Prize, Canadian National Playwriting Competition) “And Then, The Lights Went Out,” Sea of Green,” (Winner of the 2009 Uprising National Playwriting Competition,) and “JUICE” (Honourable Mention, BC Playwriting Competition.) He is also the writer and director of the first three … Continue reading Brilliant filmmaker Andy Garland on writing “The Wedding Party”

NY Elite: Congratulations on being an ISC finalist. What does it mean for your work to be selected at the International Screenwriting Competition in New York? Joseph Davis: For me, being selected is encouragement to continue writing and to improve my craft. NY Elite: Can you tell us about the work that you participated with at ISC? What is the story about? Joseph Davis: “Santa … Continue reading Screenwriter Joseph Davis on “Santa Rita”

NY Elite: Congratulations on being an ISC finalist. What does it mean for your work to be selected at the International Screenwriting Competition in New York? Mark Amador: Out of all the entries to be one of the selected few, as a finalist no less, is a great and humbling honor. NY Elite: Can you tell us about the work that you participated with at … Continue reading Screenwriter Mark Amador on “Splinter”

NY Elite: Congratulations on being an ISC finalist. What does it mean for your work to be selected at the International Screenwriting Competition in New York? Lou Di Giorgio: My hope is that this achievement will help to produce Kristel and get enough attention from the audience and film festivals to be interested to see it. NY Elite: Can you tell us about the work … Continue reading Film director, screenwriter and producer Lou Di Giorgio on “Kristel”

NY Elite: Congratulations on being an ISC finalist. What does it mean for your work to be selected at the International Screenwriting Competition in New York? Robin Scher: It shows that the effort I have put into this script has been worth it, and that people are interested in what I have to say. It gives me hope that this film could eventually be made … Continue reading Filmmaker Robin Scher on “Seven Days”

Jojin Van Winkle is a multimedia artist, writer, cinematographer, producer, educator, and activist. Her recent and ongoing work, The Destruction Project, was the subject of a solo exhibition at MMoCA (Madison Museum of Contemporary Art) October 2020–April 2021. Van Winkle’s short screenplay Tanked (31 pages) is about an employed, thirty-something Brian who wants to be a father. When his budding fashion designer wife has a … Continue reading Screenwriter Jojin Van Winkle on “Tanked”

NY Elite: Congratulations on being an ISC finalist. What does it mean for your work to be selected at the International Screenwriting Competition in New York? Jaspaul Seehra: It’s a pretty surreal achievement considering how impactful and empowering the festival International Screenwriting Competition is for passionate filmmakers – the ones who may not have made a name of themselves yet or even ones that have … Continue reading The creative journey of talented director, screenwriter, cinematographer Jaspaul Seehra

Faranak Sahafian is an Iranian writer-director and MFA Film Candidate at Columbia University. She is known for her short films The Dark room (2017), Mirror (2018), and Sufi (2021) as well as her two upcoming shorts Auto Plus (2021) and Black Red White (2021). NY Elite: Congratulations on being an ISC finalist. What does it mean for your work to be selected at the International … Continue reading Screenwriter and Director Faranak Sahafian on ” The Big Red Balloon”

NY Elite: Congratulations on being an ISC finalist. What does it mean for your work to be selected at the International Screenwriting Competition in New York? Mark A. C. Brown: It is a great honour. I have been pretty selective over the contests I have entered Whirlpool into. It’s script close to my heart and I didn’t want to fling it about indiscriminately. So to be … Continue reading Writer and Director Mark A. C. Brown on “Whirlpool”