Scriptwriting prize winners announced
Read about the winners of the David Carson-Parker Embassy Prize and the Brad McGann Film writing Award.
A gripping story of the effects of modern day warfare on both civilians and combatants has been awarded the 2015 David Carson-Parker Embassy Prize in Scriptwriting at Victoria University of Wellington.
Devils & Dust was written by screenwriter David Brechin-Smith as part of his 2015 Master of Arts at the International Institute of Modern Letters (IIML).
The feature film script was described by its examiners as 'completely gripping' and 'an interesting and important story' that needs to be told.
Named in honour of arts patron the late David Carson-Parker, and supported by Jeremy Commons through the Victoria University Foundation, the $3,000 prize is awarded annually to an outstanding student in the Master of Arts (Scriptwriting) programme at the IIML.
Devils & Dust is the story of a triangle of characters. Salman and Zahra are a refugee couple from an unnamed war in West Asia who have fled their country and are trying to make a new life in Auckland. When Lucy, a Kiwi soldier, returns home to a hero's welcome Salman and Zahra recognise her as the soldier who killed their young son in their home city. Salman's desire for justice collides with Zahra's need for a fresh start, while Lucy battles with her conscience and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
David is a respected screenwriter with one previously produced feature film (The Hopes And Dreams Of Gazza Snell) and a string of television drama credits to his name.
He decided to apply to the MA course to give him time to focus on a story he had wanted to write for a long time and says his experience this year has bought everything into focus.
On receiving the David Carson-Parker Embassy Prize, he says he is flattered, honoured and proud of himself. He will use some of the prize money for a holiday, during which he hopes to start working on a new script idea.
A second award was also made at the same ceremony.
The Brad McGann Film Writing Award was presented to Ali Burns for her feature film script Adah.
Named in honour of the late Brad McGann—writer and director of In My Father's Den—the award is worth $2,800.
Adah is the story of a young woman who wins 500 years of extra life in a lottery, then must contend with the increased challenges of finding meaning in her life as she outlives everyone she knows.
Examiners described Adah as 'original, fresh…a compelling idea with clear and cohesive storytelling'.
Ali says she was surprised to be awarded the Brad McGann Film Writing Award and will now be able to keep working on her writing.