New Hampshire Film Festival Announces the 2023 Screenplay Competition Finalists
PORTSMOUTH, NH (September 15, 2023) – We are pleased to announce the finalists of our 2023 Screenplay Competition. It was another great year for this festival staple, which continues to grow in both quantity and quality each year. The submissions featured some especially competitive material this year, making the process difficult for the screenplay committee.
Star Island will once again host the winner of the 2023 NHFF Best Screenplay Award for a one-week residency at the Star Island Family Retreat and Conference Center. The prize package is for two guests.
On behalf of Screenplay Competition Director Angie Lane, the Screenplay Committee, and the entire New Hampshire Film Festival team, we wish to congratulate the three finalist scripts that will move on in the competition:
- IMOGENE’S TORNADO
Written by Andrew Braunbhar
A homeless schizophrenic, Imogene – accompanied by her romantic interest Hobbs – wants to track down and murder the tornado that she believes killed her brother. Their adventures through the city streets lead to unexpected encounters, resolutions and new found love. - OBERLIN
Written by J.P. Johnston
When much of America was divided on the issue of slavery, Oberlin was a town where free blacks, whites, and runaway slaves lived in peace as friends and neighbors. Charles Langston, a free black man who was the first black men to be admitted to college in America, befriends a troubled 18-year-old runaway slave named John Price. When two U.S. Marshalls, enforcing federal law, arrest Price off the streets of Oberlin, intending to return him to his Kentucky slavemaster, Langston rallies the town to action. - RAP VERSE
Written by Rickey Teems II
Michael Green loves hip hop… but loathes what it’s become. The introvert rapper, slash spiteful blogger, has grandiose plans of returning the genre to real artistic purpose. Unfortunately he’s failing miserably, which also summarizes his life in general. Mike’s daily woes fade when a future version of himself appears with a quantum microphone, and a desperate plea to save hip hop from a hostile A.I. takeover. He’ll need to lose himself in the moment and risk it all to confront neighborhood thugs, family emergencies, ruthless record moguls and unthinkable time travel if he’s going to have a savior’s chance.
Star Island is one of the nine Isles of Shoals located seven miles off the coast of New Hampshire and Maine. From mid-June through mid-September, all are welcome to explore the island for a day, enjoy a meal, spend the night, or attend a conference. For the last 100 years, Star Island has offered an all-inclusive summer camp experience for families and hosted a wide variety of themed weeks and personal retreats. Star is owned and operated by the nonprofit Star Island Corporation.
Whether you find yourself mesmerized by the sunset in a rocking chair on the porch, exploring Gosport Harbor in a kayak, or learning about innovative environmental programs, Star Island is unforgettable.