Grand Prize Winner
Cheap Paint (Drama) by M. Esther Sherman, Boston University
Born beneath the California sun and raised alongside the rivers and lakes of Oregon, M. Esther Sherman found her way to screenwriting via behavioral science and yard work. A young, untrained wannabe, Esther connected with Jan Skrentny, a retired screenwriter, who traded her mentorship for yard care and a friendship developed that soon morphed into writing scripts together. Jan was instrumental in teaching Esther craft and helping her gain admittance to Boston University’s film program.
At Boston University, Esther attended her first writing course and found mentorship in John Bernstein who challenged her to “be better” and find her voice. With her MFA nearly behind her, Esther looks forward to using her dark and twisted soul to craft enticing female leads and disturbing settings for thrillers and episodic dramas.
Finalists
Jackson Crowder (Dramedy) by John Otteni, Central Washington University
The Man at Asher (Western/Thriller) by Kate Young, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
The Crossing (Sci-Fi/Action) by Jake Disch, Northwestern University