Thank you to all the amazingly talented writers who submitted to this season of Diverse Voices and shared your story. Together, we raised $2,874 for ARRAY – a nonprofit dedicated to the amplification of independent films by people of color and women filmmakers globally. Since the program began in 2015, Diverse Voices has raised over $14,000 for nonprofits. Thank you to everyone who has helped!
Diverse Voices strives to provide a contest that is focused on promoting and encouraging diverse voices in Hollywood. The contest encourages stories that are told from perspectives that are often underrepresented in Hollywood today. Past winners have signed with Industry Entertainment, Gotham Group, and Heroes and Villains.
The winners will spend 5 days in Los Angeles working on their craft and meeting the jury, professional writers, reps, and industry executives. We’re so excited for this inaugural Diverse Voices Lab!
Every finalist was so incredibly strong that narrowing it down was incredibly difficult for the WeScreenplay team, the judges, and the jurors. The top scripts were read by our amazing jury:
Daniela Gonzalez, Circle of Confusion
Circle of Confusion is best known for producing the mega-hit The Walking Dead. Clients have also worked on features like Get Out and Spider-Man as well as TV hits like Game of Thrones and Black-ish.
Jermaine Johnson, Zero Gravity
Zero Gravity Management clients have worked on features like Pulp Fiction and Jumanji and television shows like Stranger Things and American Horror Story.
Diana Mendez, TV Writer
Diana Mendez is an extremely talented TV writer who has worked on the shows Rosewood and Rizzoli & Isles.
Jesse Atlas
Jesse Atlas is a writer/director known for amazing short-form content like Record/Play and Let Them Die Like Lovers. His works have been official selections at festivals like Sundance, LA Film Festival, Fantastic Fest, and Tribeca Film Festival.
And so, without further ado, the Diverse Voices winners:
Shorts Category Winner
The Last Librarian in Raqqa written by Laila Ujayli
In war-torn Syria, an old man is forced to choose between preserving the past in his secret library–the last piece of his hometown untouched by violence–or saving his neighbors from ISIS’s terror.
A few excerpts from the judges on this script:
“I’m blown away by how authentic and genuine this story is. It was a joy to read and visualize. Wow!”
“A trenchantly powerful story about an intellectual trying to survive in an ISIS controlled city. The story is excellent.”
Feature Category Winner
Burner written by Mukilan Thangamani
A career-obsessed woman’s life unravels after she has her lecherous boss killed using an underground app that allows users to anonymously swap murders.
A few excerpts from the judges on this script:
“This is a really solid thriller with an edgy, modern feel. Perfectly paced with ever-increasing stakes and a genuine edge-of-seat element in the action sequences. “
“Freaking nuts concept!”
Television Category Winner
Between Two Worlds written by Aimee Dansereau
A young woman with extraordinary abilities goes from being a pacifist to becoming the most powerful warrior in a galactic struggle against an oppressive alien regime.
A few excerpts from the judges:
“The script brilliantly leverages the long tradition of sci-fi allegory to tell a story of our society today.”
“The script moves at a furiously thrilling pace!”
The Grand Prize Winner
Days of Infamy written by Saiya Floyd
During WWII, a Japanese American man’s attempt to keep the peace between his community and internment camp officials is complicated by the return of his disillusioned son and a growing threat from a group of rebels.
And a few excerpts from the judges on the Grand Prize Winner:
“Wonderfully complex characters with dialogue that sings. This is a show I want to watch!”
“The quiet emotional beats exchanged in a glance, in a wordless moment, are so captivating.”
Please join us in extending a huge congratulations to these incredible winners. We’re so excited for what’s next!
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