Manchester Film Festival Screenplay Competition 2023 | Finalists Announced
ScriptUp is delighted to be producing the 2023 screenwriting track of the UK's Manchester Film Festival — not least because it brings us the welcome chance to read and assess some of the best amateur screenplays circulating today.
2023's Screenplay Competition saw over 250 entries from around the globe, with each submission read blind by a pool of thoroughly-vetted readers. The field has now been whittled down to five outstanding finalists.
We're eager to share the loglines of these finalist scripts on our blog, not just to amplify the achievement of their writers, but also to help other developing writers see what kind of premises generate excitement and engagement in readers.
Nailing a killer base story is over half of the battle in screenwriting; these five scribes have won resounding victories on that front...
EMMETT GREY
by John Pisano-Thomsen
LOGLINE: “Set in Atlantic City in 1961 as the former “Jewel of the Atlantic” is beginning to show its cracks, “Emmett Grey" follows the life of a young boy who must pave a new path with the help of his underground drag queen uncle in a city that is threatening to consume them.”
LANCASTRIA - CHURCHILL'S BIGGEST SECRET
by Richard Apletree
LOGLINE: “The incredible true story of a British military squad left behind after Dunkirk, and their journey on a ship destined for disaster and secrecy.”
MENDOZA THE JEW
by Robin Russin
LOGLINE: “London, 1782. When the boxing coach to the Prince of Wales spots a Jewish boy dominating in a street fight against a bigger man, one of the great boxing rivalries in history is born as young Daniel Mendoza becomes first the protege and then bitter adversary of Gentleman Richard Humphreys, rising to be the first Jewish boxing champion of England, an underdog who fights as “Mendoza the Jew," but is known as “The Lion of Israel” to his people.”
OUR HOUSE
by Niamh Dunne
LOGLINE: “In 1950s London, actress Kathleen O'Connor decides to pursue her dream of starring in her own TV sitcom when her radio career - and long standing engagement - collapse overnight.”
UNTITLED FRENCH THRILLER
by Byron Tully & Weatherford Bradley
LOGLINE: “When a young British art student is caught in the middle of a criminal gang's daring home invasion robbery, she must fight to save her family. But her efforts are complicated when criminals and family members alike begin to disappear from the house, one by one, without a trace.”
Our hand-picked industry jury will be bounced between continents and centuries as they rank the five contenders, providing written development feedback on each.
The overall winner of the 2023 Screenplay Competition will be announced at the festival awards ceremony, taking place on Sunday 19th March at the Odeon Great Northern, Manchester.
Those interested in attending the festival can find out more on the MANIFF website, and those keen to submit for next year's competition should keep an eye out on the Film Freeway submission page (as well as ScriptUp's social media) for updates.
