Diverse Voices is a screenplay contest and lab that strives to encourage stories that are told from perspectives that are often underrepresented in Hollywood today. This includes writers of color, women writers, writers with disabilities, writers over 40, writers in the LGBTQ+ community, and any other voices that have historically been ignored by Hollywood.
We want to thank everyone who entered and helped us raise money — since Diverse Voices’ inception, we’ve raised over $20,000 for nonprofits in film and education!
The Diverse Voices competition includes an in-person Screenwriting Lab experience in Los Angeles. Four winners will be flown out to LA for mentorship and meetings with industry professionals.
If you’re interested in getting deadline notifications for the next Diverse Voices Screenwriting Lab, make sure to subscribe for updates here.
And now, we’re so pleased to announce the winners:
Short Winner
SPIC written by Johnny Sanchez
Johnny, an 11-year-old child of Colombian immigrants, plays baseball for the first time and has to make a life-changing decision about what to do with a gun. Inspired by true events.
TV Winner
THE AMERICAN WAY written by Jai Jamison
A mysterious figure looks to be a major turning point in the Civil Rights movement.
Feature Winner
MOTHER-DAUGHTER written by Tricia Lee
This drama feature with a sense of humor is about a lone transgender teen who helps an undocumented Asian woman escape deportation, and they form an unlikely friendship that helps them heal their relationships with their own families.
Grand Prize Winner (TV)
POWERLESS written by Jess Harris-Distefano
Powerless is an hour-long drama about a teenage superhero who, after deciding that she no longer wants to be special, attempts to pass along her powers to someone else and unintentionally triggers the end of the world in the process.
Congrats to all the winners and finalists!
For all the latest from WeScreenplay, be sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
