We are pleased to announce the 15th Annual Write of Passage Winner!
NANA'S ATTIC
by
KELLY ENDERSBY
DE: Alicia Schudt-Schechter.
Her story, “Nana’s Attic” is about a greedy grandson who, finds something more valuable than assets lost in his grandmother’s battle with dementia.
THEME: “MONEY.” | FOUNDATIONAL VERSE: Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. NIV
Read Script Here Read Interview with Kelly and Alicia Here
Kelly Endersby wrote the best 12-page screenplay in one week (168 hours) with an advisor called a Development Executive (DE). Both are interviewed HERE.
Prizes include cash (to the writer, and to the DE) and writer introduction to Hollywood Pros, including Brian Bird ("The Case For Christ" and “When Calls The Heart”).
Any WP script may be produced for the 168 Film Festival's Write of Passage Spotlight. Writers and mentors (DE's) receive screen credit if their film is made.
RUNNERS UP
SECOND PLACE & AUDIENCE FAVORITE
A TREASURE WITHIN, Mirachelle Canada, Dumfries, VA, DE: Kevyn Bashore Grandmother’s lost treasure finds fiancees Kyle and Sylvie searching for the true value of life.
THIRD PLACE
HIDDEN TREASURE, Jeff Chavez, North Los Vegas, NV, US, DE: Rowena Kuo Suspended from his job for suspicious behavior, Evan finds himself running the streets looking for answers.
FOURTH PLACE
A SINGLE TREE. Bob Barrett, Forest Falls, CA, US, DE: Rowena Kuo 24-DE01-W02 Greed and oppression clouds the eyes of the six-year-old daughter of a missionary.
FIFTH PLACE
MY HOME IS MY CASTLE, Ted Cox, Waringstown, N. Ireland, UK, DE: Rowena Kuo When her favorite influencer goes viral, mocking her father's latest project, will Teen Toni give it a like?
Read all finalist scripts HERE
Development Executives (DE)
We wish to thank our mentors who assisted these writers in 2024:
2024 Write of Passage Jury:
Nancy Lee Bethea is a published writer and a National Board-Certified Educator. She directs the Creative Writing program at Lavilla School of the Arts, a public magnet school, in Jacksonville, Florida, and writes a weekly column for two newspapers. She is also an award-winning screenwriter, a freelance journalist, and a soon-to-be young adult novelist. Passionate about creativity and imagination, Nancy’s goal is to write pieces that edify her readers. She is a big believer in daily journaling. Nancy lives in Northeast Florida with her husband, her daughter, and the family’s rescue cat.
Nancy Bevins is a Producer, Director & Writer in Independent Feature Films, and long form Cable. Most recently Bevins was the Line Producer and UPM on Slant Streets, Kung Fu Slayers, and Mr. Pettigrew. First AD and Writing consultant on The Year of the Dog, which was recently released in theatres. Bevins has taught screenwriting at the University of Montana and the Lifelong Learning Center in Missoula, Montana. A 168 veteran, Bevins has participated as a writer, producer, Development Executive and Jurist. She was part of the First Prize winning WP team in 2020. She also shot and directed the film for 168’s WP Spotlight. Bevins holds an MFA in Film Production from LMU in Los Angeles and screenwriting certificates from UCLA.
David M Hyde is an accomplished, produced Screenwriter. His scripts include Hope from The Ashes, The Pursuit, Loto and No Address, currently shooting for Robert Craig Films. His 2023 awards include the Kairos Prize, Best Faith-based script and many Best Script awards from Christian Film Contests. He is a frequent contributor to 168 Film.
Amanda Llewellyn is a multiple 168 Award winner as a producer and writer. She has coached several award winners for “Write of Passage.” She was a segment producer and writer for the reenactment sections of the TV show, "Sid Roth’s, It’s Supernatural” along with her husband, director Wes Llewellyn. Starting with pioneering features, “The Moment After I &II” Amanda and Wes share accolades as a writing and producing team at their company 4L Films, LLC. After writing and selling a screenplay during the covid lockdowns, they began working with Executive Producer Suellen Roberts to intertwine the life of Dr. John Morris with the account of Noah and the Ark as the streaming series, “Struck.”
John David Ware is a writer-director and producer. He served as Director & as Script Doctor of the feature film "Unbridled," starring Eric Roberts (The Dark Knight) and T.C. Stallings (War Room), Tea McKay and Jenn Gotzon (Farmer & The Belle). John Produced the Tesla-Inspired, Sci-fi film “Final Frequency,” starring Charles Shaughnessy (The Nanny, The Magicians), Lou Ferrigno Jr. (Outer Banks, SWAT, Stargirl), Richard Burgi (Desperate Housewives, Hostel II) and Josh Murray (Killing Lincoln, The Missing Twin). 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 by teaching them to focus on excellence of craft and on God's Word. John has produced the 168 Film Festival since 2003, working with talent such as Candace Cameron Bure, (Full House), Zachary Levi (Shazam I & II, Tangled), Louis Gossett Jr. (Academy Award Winner), Michael Learned (4-Time Emmy Winner, The Waltons) and Kevin Sorbo (Soul Surfer, Hercules).
Allen Wolf is an award-winning filmmaker, novelist, and the host of the popular entertainment interview podcast, Navigating Hollywood. His debut novel, The Sound of Violet, won several prestigious honors, including two Book of the Year awards. Allen wrote, directed, and produced the film adaptation of The Sound of Violet, which opened in theaters and garnered numerous festival awards. He also wrote and helmed the thriller In My Sleep, which was also theatrically distributed and won multiple film festivals. His 30-minute short from NYU, Harlem Grace, was a finalist for the Student Academy Awards and was restored and re-released in 2024.
Owen Kingston is a Producer, Director and Writer known for frequent collaborations with 168 and Write of Passage. He is the artistic director of Parabolic Theatre, an immersive theatre company that gives audiences input into the content of the show.
Yvette Sams is a Writer/Director/Producer with many projects in development including her family drama series, Edge of the South, holiday movies A Christmas Reunion and Christmas in Angel Falls as well as her thriller Deadly Return. She recently wrapped her feature film Six Days In Evergreen starring Dawn Oliveri, Johnny Whitworth, and Penelope Ann Miller which she co-wrote and produced. She wrote the currently streaming romantic drama A Royal Surprise (2022) for BET Network, shot on location in Johannesburg South Africa. She is a distinguished member of the 168 Film Board.
2024 Write of Passage Semi-Jury
Anne Abdalla is a Writer and Director. She started creating short skits at the age of 10 in her native land of Egypt. Though her bachelor's degree is in Architecture, she has pursued her passion for filmmaking. In 2019 she wrote and directed her first short film, Fhedi, which won Best Film, Best Screenplay, and Best Director at the 168 Film Festival. She hopes to change her community and the world through her films. She currently works as a High School teacher and drama coach.
Bill Baber is a Southern California screenwriter and producer. He won second place in the 168 Write of Passage 2017 contest. Bill has helped produce more than a dozen short films. He’s also an attorney and passionate free speech advocate. His scripted podcast, Mr. Buchman Goes to Washington, produced by Voyage Media, is scheduled for national release in April. It’s the true story of how the Hollywood studios blacklisted an Oscar winning screenwriter. Bill is a USC grad with a certificate in Independent Film Production from UCLA. His IMDb profile is:
Rita Betti is an award-winning screenwriter and co-founder of FishGate Productions with Deborah Kay. Rita has written and produced over 11 short films, including commercials, short documentaries and promotional videos. She has also written 5 screenplays and two television series, Jesus and Me, and The Martyr. The Martyr (based on her published novel, The Martyr) has been nominated for best television pilot in several competitions.
Michell Davis is an entertainment attorney, actress and producer. She has represented film writers, directors and producers for nearly 20 years. In 2021 Michell produced her first short film. Her acting has shaped her view of the creative elements needed for a successful production. She hopes to build a body of work that reflects her commitment to telling life-changing stories. Michell is a combat veteran. She graduated from the US Military Academy and received her MBA and law degree from Duke University and The University of Alabama, respectively.
Victoria Dorshorn is an author and screenwriter. Her script, GOOD MEDICINE placed 1st in the 2021 Faith Fest contest (Dominion InnerTainment Productions) and was an official nomination for Best Script in 2023 and 2022 at International Christian Film Festival ICFF. Her scripts have won or placed at Content 2023, Christian World Arts Festival 2023, Salty Earth Film Festival, Christian World Arts Festival 2023, Christian Worldview Film Festival and Kairos Prize competition. She writes and publishes Christian non-fiction.
Claire Hutchinson is a produced and award-winning screenwriter, script analyst, producer, film festival judge, speaker, and teacher. She wrote “Lucky’s Treasure”, starring Michael Ironside (“Top Gun”, “Total Recall”), which was distributed by Pureflix and Universal Studios. Her credits include “The Christmas Coat” (pending, 2024, writer, co-producer), “Tomorrow” (2018, writer), “The Thought of You” (2018, script consultant), “Living the Dream” (2018, co-producer, director, writer), “Lucky’s Treasure” (2017, writer) and “Waves” (2015, script consultant). Claire also judges ICVM Crown Awards, 168 Film Festival, 168 Write of Passage Screenwriting Competition, Life Fest Film Festival and WR2R Film Festival. Her scripts have placed or won film festivals such as ICFF, Content, Life Fest, and WR2R. She has spoken about her life and taught screenwriting at ICVM, Phoenix Screenwriters' Association, CWIMA, and churches.
Keisha L. Jackson is a retired Air Force Veteran, creative writer, storyteller, and family caregiver advocate. She produces and partners with others to share encouraging, entertaining, and educational content for family caregivers through various creative and storytelling formats. Keisha is an AARP Northern Virginia Community Ambassador and Speakers Bureau volunteer, a member of Women in Film & Video, Washington, DC and Veterans in Media and Entertainment, DC Chapter. She is a 2020 168 Write of Passage finalist.
Lance Ochsner is an actor, producer and screenwriter. He received his MFA in Professional Screenwriting in 2016. Recently, one of Lance's screenplays, Mourning Rock, was produced by Silvercrest Entertainment. He continues to write and loves to help other writers achieve their best. Lance believes that movies are a unique and powerful storytelling medium and knows God will continue to use screenwriters to impact the world. He currently lives in Wichita, Kansas with his wife, two kids, and random four-legged creatures.
Deborah Rutherford is a Christian writer, poet, podcaster, Emmy recipient makeup artist. She founded the Behold-Her Beauty Blog and Podcast. Deborah is a Write of Passage participant. Some of her recent film work as a makeup artist is the faith film “Southern Gospel” and “The Menu” plus a slew of others. She has been published at Gracefully Truthful Ministries and Aletheia Today and she has a devotion in the anthology The Lord is My Shepherd, (Arabelle Publishing) and the Literary Journal - Spring 2023 (Calla Press).
LaShunda Smith has been a participant, semifinalist, and finalist with the Write of Passage Competition. She has honed her storytelling skills as a producer with the 168 Film Project since 2011. She has written and Co-produced 11 Films with her husband. She has won the Best Scriptural Integration Award and has been nominated for 168’s Best Comedy, Best KidVid and Evangelista Awards.
Pete Xifo is a writer and a working Actor for over 30 years. He won the Best Write of Passage Screenplay Award and Audience Favorite Award at the 168 Film Festival 2015. He has gone on to dub two international TV series for Netflix and Hulu, narrated long form documentaries and voice multiple characters for Video games. On camera he's portrayed hard grizzled Cowboy Villains, an Amish Farmer, a Wizard, as well as Doctors, Lawyers, Professors, Shrinks, Judges, Grandpas and even the occasional Rabbi and of course, Santa. Pete truly delights in being a character actor who can play an age range between 65 to death---and beyond.
Bios Not Available:
Camille Godwin-Austen
Denise Thurman
Candace Venable
Shervin Youssefian
Image by Adobe Firefly AI