2020 Best Writer, Audience Favorite
Write of Passage writers get a theme, a verse and a week to create a 12-page script, mentored by a "Development Executive" (DE). The top writer receives Top Prize: $500 cash & an intro to Writer/Producer, Brian Bird, writer of the Lee Strobel story, The Case for Christ and When Calls the Heart. The top DE's receive $100, and $50 cash. The Audience Favorite will be announced Oct 29th. The Grand Jury includes Libby Friz, Randall Hahn, Simon Kennedy, Mike Rinaldi, Michael Sajbel, Alan Tregoning and John David Ware. See Jury Bios Below.
168 WP 2020 Theme: “Storms” The storms of life can be both cleansing and heartbreaking. We pray for wisdom to ride them out & learn the lesson that forever changes our world. Take this journey with us as we explore the storms of life.
All stories were based on this verse for 2020: Matthew 14:30-31 But when he saw the wind, he (Peter) was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” NIV
First Place
THE BELIEVING BOY AND THE DOUBTING DAD by Eric & Timothy Egan, Pollock Pines, CA. DE: Nancy Bevins.
A father at the end of his rope hangs his hat on a son's faith. 20-DE07-W38
2nd Place
THE FINAL STORM by Bethany Clemons, Fairfield OH. DE: Candace Venable.
A terminal artist loses her passion for painting storms. 20-DE04-W24
3rd Place
STORM WATCH by Alicia Schudt-Schechter, Porter Ranch, CA. DE: Yvette Sams.
A TV weatherman's self-respect plummets when he loses his job. 20-DE01-W06
4th Place
ADOPTING FAITH by Erin Dooley, Pasadena, CA. DE: Owen Kingston.
Foster kids prove to be too much for a new widow. 20-DE06-W31
5th Place
INTO THE RAIN by Kelli Cloud Barton and Amy Walker Molina, White Oak TX. DE: Candace Venable
A prison warden gains a new perspective from an inmate. 20-DE04-W22
THE AUDIENCE FAVORITE:
THE FINAL STORM by Bethany Clemons, Fairfield OH.DE: Candace Venable. A terminal artist loses her passion for painting storms. 20-DE04-W24
WP GRAND JURY 2020:
Libby Friz is a film and television writer, who has written and produced two episodes of AMC’s TURN: WASHINGTON’S SPIES. She was named a Young & Hungry List writer in 2016 and is currently in development on an original limited series project with Yoruba Saxon and Reserve Entertainment. Most recently she worked on ABC’s pilot ADOPTED in 2020. She has served in military intelligence as a cryptologist in the U.S. Navy, partnering with various intelligence agencies to collect secure and sensitive information for the U.S. She has a BA in Biblical studies and an MA in History. She also holds a black belt in Shorin-Ryu Karate.
Randall Hahn is a multi-award winning screenwriter, actor and director. His screenplay GIDEON won the Kairos Prize for Most Spiritually Uplifting Screenplay in 2013 and the Faith in Film (Top 3) Award 2017. He was a top 10 Chronos finalist and a Quarter Finalist in the Nicholl Fellowship 2015.
Simon Kennedy is co-creator of “Safe Harbour,” an Emmy-nominated TV series that screened on SBS Australia, Hulu and BBC. He has written for many productions, and is currently working on international television and feature documentary projects. He co-founded “Songs with Simon,” one million viewer YouTube channel featuring kid’s songs, produced in his home studio.
Mike Rinaldi is a writer, director, and emerging producer building a vision for general market features, series, and books that instill wonder and strengthen community. With a background in music marketing and freelance writing, Mike was encouraged to pursue screenwriting by his mentor, Blake Snyder, while serving as Blake's spiritual advisor. Mike is active with Act One and Greenhouse and previously participated in the 168 Write of Passage as a competing writer, development executive and Jury Member.
Michael Sajbel is a feature film writer, producer and Director. He is best known for directingThe Ultimate Gift, starring James Garner, Brian Dennehy and Abigail Breslin. He directed, One Night with The King, a faithful retelling of the Biblical story of Esther, starring Omar Sharif, John Rhys-Davies, Tiffany DuPont, John Noble and Peter O’Toole. Michael is currently in pre-production on The Mulligan, (2021) based on the Ken Blanchard & Wally Armstrong book of the same name. The film stars Eric Close (American Sniper, Nashville), Tanya Christianson (I Still Believe) and Pat Boone. Michael has also worked as a Director of Photography on over 40 feature films and over 400 television episodes.
Alan Tregoning has been writing for film and television for over a decade. He is currently writing for the police drama Vindication, which was recently picked up by Pureflix for a second season. He is a 168 veteran, having written and produced seven 168 speed films including Riva the 2015 best picture winner. He is also a two-time winner of the Write of Passage contest.. He lives in the Dallas area with his wife and their three children.
John David Ware is an award-winning writer-director and producer, whose credits include directing the feature film Unbridled starring Eric Roberts (The Dark Knight) and T.C. Stallings (War Room); and producing the Tesla-Inspired, Sci-fi film Final Frequency, starring Charles Shaughnessy (The Nanny), Richard Burgi (Desperate Housewives) and Lou Ferrigno Jr. (SWAT). John is the Founder and Director of 168 Film, which includes writing and film production competitions. "168" has helped propel the lives and careers of thousands of artists all over the world. He is currently producing the documentary: A Tale of Two Sisters: American & Israel.
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