It was another great year for the NHFF Screenplay Competition which continues to grow in both quantity and quality. The submissions featured some especially creative and competitive material, making the process difficult for our committee to determine the three finalists we proudly list below. This year’s special guest industry judge, Angus MacLachlan, will decide our 2024 Best Screenplay Award. Star Island will once again host our award winner for a one-week residency at the Star Island Family Retreat and Conference Center. The prize package includes room, board, and more—for two guests.
Inspired by the true story of a finance professional named Jordan, orphaned as a child, who is now dedicated to helping orphans in Tijuana. When he is approached by an FBI agent to help them identify the entourage of a cartel leader, Jordan agrees and successfully builds trust within the organization. The cartel leader eventually becomes the orphanage benefactor. But after Jordan witnesses a brutal murder, he decides to exit the deal. On a routine border crossing back to the U.S., a massive amount of pure fentanyl is found hidden in his vehicle. Jordan soon discovers that the agent, the cartel, and those closest to him are all using him as a drug mule.
After the death of her young daughter, a grieving mother seeks refuge in a virtual reality program that offers reunions with the dead. But when she becomes addicted to the program it fractures her relationship with her husband and teenage son as they struggle to survive their grief as a family.
A true action-adventure as told by 97-year old Jane Hollins about her brother John (the writer’s great-great-great grandfather), a central figure of Seminole Indians and Black runaways to protect their territory against an overwhelming U.S. Army.
THANKS TO OUR 2024 SCREENPLAY COMPETITION JUDGE
Angus MacLachlan
Screenwriter
Angus has written plays, short film Tater Tomater, and features including Junebug (Indie Spirit Award nominee for Best First Screenplay, Sundance Special Jury Citation and Oscar nomination for Amy Adams). He wrote & produced Abundant Acreage Available, Best Narrative Feature nominee and Best Screenplay winner at Tribeca. He wrote & directed Goodbye to All, Best Narrative Feature nominee and Best Actor winner for Paul Schneider at Tribeca, and A Little Prayer, which debuted at Sundance and played NHFF.
THANKS TO OUR SCREENPLAY COMPETITION DIRECTOR
Angie Lane
Executive Director, Red River Theatres
Angie is the Executive Director of Red River Theatres, the state’s leading indie movie theater. She serves as the organization’s key spokesperson and as an advocate for the arts in NH.
Alex Brown, Sean Desautelle, Josh Hardy, Ian Hart, Pauline Hawkins, Rebecca Howland, Laura Harper Lake, Dylan Marsh, Curt McDermott, Seana McDuffie, Katie Mosher, Austin Noto-Moniz, Naomi Raices, Jim White
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.
