If you’re an aspiring local screenwriter with a brilliant idea for a science fiction or fantasy film just burning a hole in your head, you have until midnight on Thursday, Aug. 31, to submit your work to the George R.R. Martin Screenwriter Grant. Submissions must be for a feature-length film or the pilot episode of an original television series. You need to send in a complete story treatment (maximum five pages) and the first five pages of the script for evaluation. One winning submission will be chosen to receive a $5,000 grant to complete work on the finished screenplay, courtesy of famed Santa Fe author George R.R. Martin. This fourth annual grant competition is sponsored by the New Mexico Film Foundation. For more information, or to fill out a submission form, go to nmfilmfoundation.org/grants/grrm-grant/.
Reel World: To Read A Film To Read A Film
While we wait for the Tale Writers Screenwriting Conference to return to New Mexico, organizers have partnered with New Mexico Women in Film to create a Stage Reading series. New Mexico screenwriters are being invited to submit a variety of script formats and genres to the fine folks at the New Mexico Film Foundation. A team of judges will select the best works to be performed live on stage by professional directors and actors later on this year. This is an excellent way to see how your dialogue and characters play out in the real world. The first stage reading will be for feature films. All you need to do is send the first 10 pages of a completed—or soon to be completed—screenplay in any genre. You have until 5pm, on Thursday, Aug. 31, to submit your work for consideration. There is no fee to submit, but you must be a New Mexico resident. For more info on the Stage Reading series, go to talewriters.org/stage-readings/.
Reel World: Sing Along Sing Along
Movies on the Plaza summer series continues this Friday, Sept. 1, with a screening of the animated musical Sing. Released last Christmas, the film follows a group of starry-eyed animals who audition for a singing competition at a run-down theater. Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Scarlet Johansson, Jennifer Hudson and Seth McFarlane are among the voice cast. The screening is free and open to the public and starts at sunset (about 8:30pm). Show up to Albuquerque’s Civic Plaza a little early, and you can catch some local food, beer and music as part of ABQ Food Fridays.
Reel World: Food Fund Food Fund
The Deadly Link is an investigative documentary exploring the statistical connection between animal abuse and domestic violence. The film is in the process of being made right here in New Mexico. It will be directed by Nina Knapp (The Sandoval 64), executive produced by Angie Beauchamp and Sheryl Brown, and produced and edited by Brad Stoddard. This Saturday, from 4 to 7pm, there will be a special fundraiser for the film at O’Niell’s Restaurant & Pub (3301 Juan Tabo NE). During this Community Night fundraiser, 10 percent of all sales will be donated to the film’s production budget. So go grab a drink and some food and help make local film happen. For more info, go to thedeadlylink.com.
