NEWS & HONORS
MARCH 2023
What a great and exciting way to kickoff the first day of Spring and its film fest 2023 season! Especially with a prestigious New York City accolade! It’s another special, heartfelt win for me and Jimmy! I’d like to thank festival Founder and Managing Director, Emine Dursun, her team, and the judges. To be honored again, in the city Jimmy and I love, is most rewarding when we’re able to share his legacy through this tale about Spyder Deakins and his quest to find, not only Jimmy’s car, but forgiveness as well. 🙏❤️🗽💥
Rozzo DeChance conquered Hollywood as BLOOD, SCUM & NEON LIGHTS is the GRAND PRIZE WINNER 🏆 for Best Feature Screenplay in the prestigious 2023 Golden State Film Festival at Hollywood’s TCL Theatre! I want to say “thank you” to the judges, the festival director, and the entire team! I’m so excited and grateful for this tremendous honor! And a huge congrats to my fellow scribes for their category wins as well. Time to celebrate! 🙏🎬💯🍾🥂🎉
FELLINI FILM FESTIVAL WINNER! 🏆 BEST FEATURE SCRIPT! I woke up this morning to this amazing, unbelievable news! This worldwide achievement unto itself is seriously beyond words. My fingers are trembling as I type this. Jimmy and I are elated with joy! And it’s great to know that the Deaners are still strong in Italy… just as they were before and after the time of his death! Grazie to the festival judges, director, and the team for such a huge honor! And congrats to my global scribes who also placed with honors! And it’s great to meet some fellow Italian filmmakers who have reached out already! Now… it’s time to celebrate! 🙏💯🇮🇹🎬🎉💥🍾🥂
FEBRUARY 2023
In the very early stages of its film festival run, Spyder: One Man's Quest for the “Little Bastard” has already received interest from a recent, debut Director, who just completed their first feature film that is now on the 2023 film fest circuit. As a director, actor, and a fellow Deaner, they are truly passionate about the life and legacy of James Dean. With that, other filmmaking individuals or parties are also invited have a chance for possible director interest as well.
Spyder Receives Very First Director Interest!
It's official! Spyder is Best Feature Screenplay Winner in the Silk Road Film Awards Cannes! Thank you, SRFA! 🙏🇫🇷
JANUARY 2023
Spyder is an Honorable Mention Winner for Best Screenplay Feature in the San Diego Movie Awards! Thank you, SDMA!
The Vancouver Independent Film Festival marks my 100th Official Selection! And my 58th win as a screenwriter! Thank you, VIFF—and all the film festivals that have taken me on this unplanned, unexpected, amazing & humbling journey! 🙏❤️🇨🇦💯🍾🥂
Spyder continues to kickoff 2023 as the Best Unproduced Script (Feature Film) in the Vancouver Independent Film Festival. Thank you, VIFF! 🏆 🙏❤️🍁
I’m very excited to announce that Spyder is an Official Selection in the NOMADIC International Film Festival. And how fitting is this, especially for the story of Spyder Deakins and his present day, nomadic journey to find Jimmy’s “Little Bastard” Porsche 550 Spyder! Thank you, NIFF! 🙏👍
Spyder is Best Feature Screenplay Winner in the East Coast Movie Awards! Thank you, ECMA!
Spyder is a Best Screenplay Winner in the NEW YORK FILM AWARDS! Thank you, NYFA!
DECEMBER 2022
Spyder is an Official Selection in the Los Angeles International Screenplay Awards!
Thank you to the Lily Indie Film Fest in Odessa, Ukraine, for Spyder’s Official Selection! 🙏🇺🇦❤️🕊
NOVEMBER 2022
Jimmy and I are thrilled and thankful that Culver City Film Festival has included Spyder as an Official Selection! 🙏👍💥
Jimmy and I are absolutely honored to have Spyder nominated in the 2022 Fall Season of the Montreal Independent Film Festival!
Thank you, MIFF! 🙏🇨🇦🍁
I’d like to thank the Toronto Film and Script Awards, along with the Toronto Film Channel for choosing Spyder as a screenplay nominee! 🙏🇨🇦🍁
The feature screenplay for BLOOD, SCUM & NEON LIGHTS is now in competition as a Semi-Finalist the SEATTLE MOVIE AWARDS! Thank you, SMA!
1ST PLACE SCREENPLAY WINNER 🏆
On the very last day of its long journey on the film fest circuit, I want to thank all the judges and the team of the Melech Tel-Aviv International Film Festival for this blessing, by marking the final and 21st win for The Letter. Toda raba! 🙏 🇮🇱 I’m excited and honored to have been a part of this very prestigious and competitive festival. ❤️ And on that cherished note, today also marks the end of the short script as I made the decision to forgo any short film project. This compelling story will now be taking a new and expanded literary direction that will be officially announced next year. Stay tuned!
OCTOBER 2022
SPYDER is an Official Selection in the NEW CREATORS FILM AWARDS! Thank you, NCFA!
Jimmy and I received this wonderful message from a prestigious film festival last night! It's only two film festivals in with three wins and 'Spyder' is already generating "buzz" in the film fest industry! And since this festival is Universal Studios related, we entered! 🙏❤️🤞
SPYDER is Best Feature Script/Screenplay and Best Screenwriter/Feature Winner in the VEGAS MOVIE AWARDS!
For more info, you can read the official VMA Press Release. Thank you, VMA!
SEPTEMBER 2022
SPYDER has won its first film festival submission in the IMDB qualified CANADIAN CINEMATOGRAPHY AWARDS (CaCA) for Best Screenplay Winner. Thank you, CaCA!
BLOOD, SCUM & NEON LIGHTS is Best Screenplay Winner in the 15th edition of the TORONTO FILM MAGAZINE FEST! Thank you, TFMF!
BLOOD, SCUM & NEON LIGHTS is now a Nomination in the SEATTLE FILM FESTIVAL! Thank you, SFA!
HALLOWEEN: KINDRED SIN is a Semi-Finalist in the HORRORFEST INTERNATIONAL Screenplay Competition! Thank you, HFI!
BLOOD, SCUM & NEON LIGHTS is Best Feature Screenplay Winner in the EAST COAST MOVIE AWARDS! Thank you, ECMA!
BLOOD, SCUM & NEON LIGHTS is an Honorable Mention Feature Screenplay Winner in the LOS ANGELES FILM AWARDS! Thank you, LAFA!
AUGUST 2022
I am absolutely SUPER EXCITED that BLOOD, SCUM & NEON LIGHTS is an unproduced feature screenplay Nominee in the Summer 2022 edition of the very prestigious MONTREAL INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL! Thank you, MIFF!
THE LETTER is a TOP 10 IMDB Nominee in the LONELY WOLF INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL LONDON!
LONELY WOLF INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL LONDON has honored BLOOD, SCUM & NEON LIGHTS as a 2x TOP 10 IMDB Nominee for Best Feature Screenplay and Best Thriller Screenplay!
BLOOD, SCUM & NEON LIGHTS is a 2x Nominee for Best Feature Screenplay and Best Thriller in the SENSEI TOKYO FILMFEST !
JULY 2022
Just like the short script, BLOOD, SCUM & NEON LIGHTS is Best Feature Noir Screenplay Winner in the SILK ROADS FILM AWARDS!
I’m proud and incredibly honored to officially announce my 20x award-winning short script, THE LETTER, is a Semi-Finalist in the ACADEMY AWARD and BAFTA qualified RHODE ISLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL. It will be in competition until the Finalist phase in October 2022. Thank you, RIIFF! 🙏 Crossing my fingers until then!🤞💯
I'm very proud to announce that BLOOD, SCUM & NEON LIGHTS is a 2x Feature Screenplay Winner in the VEGAS MOVIE AWARDS!
BLOOD, SCUM & NEON LIGHTS is Best Feature Screenplay Winner in the NEW YORK FILM AWARDS!
BLOOD, SCUM & NEON LIGHTS is Best Noir Script Winner in the prestigious ONIROS FILM AWARDS—NEW YORK!
BLOOD, SCUM & NEON LIGHTS is a FILMCON AWARDS Winner for Best Feature Screenplay!
JUNE 2022
SPYDER: ONE MAN'S QUEST FOR THE "LITTLE BASTARD" is my current work-in-progress. And it's the perfect feature screenplay summer project! It's a James Dean-driven screenplay that's driving itself... in a kickass car!
The feature screenplay for BLOOD, SCUM & NEON LIGHTS is an Official Selection in the RED MOVIE AWARDS 2022 Spring Edition!
The Feature Screenplay for BLOOD, SCUM & NEON LIGHTS is now officially on the 2022 film festival circuit!
The first feature screenplay for the BLOOD, SCUM NOIR TRILOGY is finished! BLOOD, SCUM & CHICAGO FIGHTS begins late Fall 2022.
My 3-page, short script, REBEL WITHOUT A CAR, is an Official Selection in the FILMCON AWARDS June 2022 24HR SCREENWRITING CHALLENGE! Thank you, FILMMAKER'S CONNECT!
Logline: James Dean’s number one fan, a former California Highway Patrol Officer, revisits the star during the last hour of his life to prevent his 1955 death.
MAY 2022
The feature screenplay for BLOOD, SCUM & NEON LIGHTS is 100% complete! Soon, it will have a run on the 2022 film festival circuit!
HALLOWEEN: KINDRED SIN is a first-time Best Screenplay Winner in the NEW YORK FILM AWARDS! Thank you, NYFA!
APRIL 2022
THE FRANCOPHILE is Best Script Winner in the RED MOVIE AWARDS for the Winter 2022 Edition. Merci! Thank you, RMA!
MARCH 2022
THE LETTER was named an Official Selection in the INTERNATIONAL WORLD FILM AWARDS! Thank you, IWFA!
FEBRUARY 2022
BREAKTHROUGH SCREENWRITER OF THE YEAR 2021 WINNER!
A NIGHT AT THE DRIVE-IN
Thank you to the NEW YORK FILM AWARDS for this absolute honor! The 2021 year will always be a memorable one! To read my thank you speech, please visit the PRESS section.
The 5th Annual win marks my 40th film festival win! Thank you, NEW YORK FILM AWARDS, for the filmmaking milestone! 🙏
PARIS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL WINNER!
It's an incredible honor and achievement for THE LETTER to be named WINNER in the PARIS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL! To read my thank you speech, please visit the PRESS section.
THE JIGSAW is a Quarter-Finalist in the FILMMATIC HORROR SCREENPLAY AWARDS!. Thank you, FILMMATIC!
Frank rode his bicycle to Vegas with a basketful of wine 🍷 and baguettes 🥖 & took a gamble! And with his poker face, he won me an award! 🏆✨👍 Thank you so much for this honor, VEGAS MOVIE AWARDS! And for making me a 3x VMA Best Screenwriter Winner!
Since my short screenplay, THE LETTER, is an Official Selection right now at the PARIS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, I graciously received an all-access pass to attend the virtual festival to watch all the selected films! And this is truly special because it's my first film festival attendance as a selection! So a big merci—a huge thank you to Executive Director, Jenna Suru (seen in the promo), Paris International Film Festival, and Filmocracy for this opportunity! I’m so excited! 🙏❤️🇫🇷
JANUARY 2022
WINNER for BEST SHORT SCREENPLAY in the SILK ROAD FILM AWARDS CANNES. Thank you, SRFA CANNES!
I'm excited to announce THE FRANCOPHILE is an Honorable Mention in the MONTREAL INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL for the Winter 2022 competition. Merci, MIFF! 🙏🇨🇦
THE LETTER is the Best Script In Short Winner of the VANCOUVER INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL! Thank you, VIFF!
THE LETTER is a Finalist in the January 2022 DUBAI INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL! Thank you, DIFF!
THE LETTER is currently in competition as a Quarter-Finalist in the Spring 2022 SCREENCRAFT FILM FUND! Thank you, SCREENCRAFT!
THE SILK ROAD FILM AWARDS CANNES marked my 60th Official Selection with THE FRANCOPHILE. Thank you, SRFA CANNES!
THE FRANCOPHILE is an Official Selection in the SILK ROAD FILM AWARDS CANNES festival! Thank you, SRFA Cannes!
THE FRANCOPHILE is an Official Selection in the FLORENCE FILM AWARDS! Thank you, FFA!
THE FRANCOPHILE is an Official Selection in the PARIS FILM AWARDS! Thank you, PFA!
DECEMBER 2021
I'm excited that THE FRANCOPHILE is the Best Screenplay Winner in the TOP SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL! Thank you, TOP SHORTS!
It's a terrific ending to a very memorable and most successful year on the 2021 film festival circuit! And it will be great to see what happens in 2022!
I’m excited to announce some unexpected news that A NIGHT AT THE DRIVE-IN is a Best Screenplay Nominee in the 5th ANNUAL NEW YORK FILM AWARDS 2021 event! Thank you, NYFA! I'm crossing my fingers!
THE LETTER and THE JIGSAW are Finalists in the RED FLIGHT PICTURES SCREENPLAY AWARDS! Thank you, RED FLIGHT!
A NIGHT AT THE DRIVE-IN is a 2x WINNER in the highly-esteemed VEGAS MOVIE AWARDS!
Award of Prestige
BEST COMEDY SCREENPLAY
Award of Excellence
BEST SCREENWRITER / FEATURE
Thank you, VMA!
I’m proud to announce THE FRANCOPHILE has won its first film festival award for Best Short Screenplay Winner from the honorable NEW YORK FILM AWARDS! Thank you, NYFA!
THE LETTER is a Best Script Winner of the RED MOVIE AWARDS in Reims, France! It's truly a heartfelt honor! Thank you, RMA! And thank you to Mr. Didier de Kall, a member of the RMA, who shared some kind thoughts about the script on Instagram! Thank you again, Didier!
THE LETTER is the Best Short Screenplay Winner in the FILMCOM AWARDS! This marks the 17th win for this special script! Thank you again, FILMCON!
THE DEATH OF EVEN MINOR is a Special Jury Award Winner in the FILMCON AWARDS 24HR SCREENWRITING CHALLENGE for November 2021. Thank you, FILMCON!
Genre: Drama. 5 pages.
Logline: Within hours of his execution, a death row inmate maintains his innocence from a heinous murder that he did not commit.
THE JIGSAW is an Official Selection in the BLOODSTAINED FILM FESTIVAL of Tokyo, Japan. Thank you, BIFF!
My first Official Selection started with the FILMCON AWARDS and their 24 HR SCREENWRITING CHALLENGE for THE X-FILES: THE CURSE OF SKINWALKER RANCH. I never planned for a run on the film-fest circuit, but here we are—with the FILMCON AWARDS marking my celebratory 50th Official Selection 7 months later! Thank you, FILMCON!
THE LETTER is the Best Unproduced Short Winner in the CAIRO INDIE SHORT FILM FESTIVAL! Thank you, CISF!
NOVEMBER 2021
THE JIGSAW was named Semi-Finalist in THE MONOCHROME FILM FESTIVAL of London. Thank you, TMFF!
THE LETTER has received its fourth Cannes Official Selection. This is another major honor! Thank you MEDITERRANEAN FILM FESTIVAL CANNES!
THE LETTER is the Best Original Screenplay Winner in the CANNES SHORTS film festival!
This now makes THE LETTER a 2-time Cannes-winning short screenplay and an overall 15-time film festival winner!
Thank you, CANNES SHORTS, for this great honor! Click here for the list of winners!
Def Tone is the Winner in the FILMCON AWARDS 24HR SCREENWRITING CHALLENGE for October! Thank you, FILMCON!
Genre: Dramedy. 5 pages.
Logline: While making his moves on a patron in a hotel bar, a chauvinistic man learns the outcome isn't what he expected.
THE LETTER is the Best Short Script Winner in the NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL FILM AWARDS. Thank you, NYIFA!
THE LETTER is the Fall Season 2021 Best Short Script Winner in the prestigious MONTREAL INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL. Thank you, MIFF, for the momentous honor! Click here for the list of winners!
OCTOBER 2021
HAPPY HALLOWEEN WITH A NEW SHORT SCREENPLAY!
Genre: Horror, Thriller, Drama, Fan fiction. 21 pages.
Logline: Puzzled by gruesome massacres in a rural town, a senior police detective discovers a nefarious link to the victims and infamous serial killer, Michael Myers.
RATED R for Graphic Violence, Language, Sensitive Subjects. Viewer Discretion Advised.
THE LETTER was named as a Semi-Finalist in the SAN FRANCISCO INDIE SHORT FESTIVAL. Thank you, SFISF!
Thank you to the prestigious VEGAS MOVIES AWARDS for the recognition and shout-out via social media! And I'm so proud to be part of the VMA Family!
THE JIGSAW is an Official Selection in DIABOLICAL HORROR FILM FESTIVAL. Thank you, DHFF!
THE LETTER is a 2x WINNER in the prestigious VEGAS MOVIE AWARDS!
Award of Excellence
BEST SHORT SCRIPT
Award of Prestige
BEST SCREENWRITER / SHORT
Thank you, VMA!
I will never, ever let anyone doubt me as a screenwriter ever again—not even myself...
BLOOD, SCUM & NEON LIGHTS is the BEST SHORT SCREENPLAY WINNER in the SILK ROAD FILM AWARDS CANNES festival. Thank you again, SRFA CANNES, for another honor of recognition!
THE LETTER is Best Short Script Winner in the TOKYO INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL. Thank you, TISFF, for this great honor!
THE LETTER is a Special Mention in the TOKYO INTERNATIONAL MONTHLY FILM FESTIVAL. Thank you, TIMFF!
DRUK INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL recognized THE LETTER as an Outstanding Achievement Award Winner! Thank you, DIFF!
THE LETTER and a NIGHT AT THE DRIVE-IN were named Official Selections in the CANNES INDIES CINEMA AWARDS!
Thank you, CICA!
THE LETTER is the Best Short Script Winner in the PARIS FILM AWARDS. Thank you, PFA!
THE LETTER is the Gold Award Winner in the MILAN GOLD AWARDS! Thank you, MGA!
THE LETTER is an Honorable Mention in the LONDON MOVIE AWARDS. Thank you, LMA!
SEPTEMBER 2021
THE JIGSAW is an Official Selection in England's PURGATORY FILM FESTIVAL. Thank you, PFF!
THE LETTER made it far as a BEST SHORT SCRIPT Finalist in the PARIS PLAY INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL. Thank you, PPIFF!
THE LETTER is a current Official Selection in the VENICE SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL. Thank you, VS!
THE JIGSAW made it as far as a Nominee in the INDEPENDENT HORROR MOVIE AWARDS. Thank you, IHMA!
THE JIGSAW is the BEST HORROR SCREENPLAY WINNER in the FILMCON AWARDS FOR AUGUST 2021. Thank you, Filmmakers Connect!
A NIGHT AT THE DRIVE-IN is the Best Comedy Screenplay Winner in the FESTIGIOUS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL! Thank you, Festigious!
THE LETTER is the Best Short Screenplay Winner in the SILK ROAD FILM AWARD CANNES festival. Thank you, SRFA CANNES, for the tremendous honor!
THE LETTER is the Best Short Script Winner in the FLORENCE FILM AWARDS. Thank you, FFA, for the achievement!
THE LETTER is the Best Short Script Winner in the NEW YORK MOVIE AWARDS. Thank you, NYMA, for the recognition!
THE LETTER is the GOLD AWARD — BEST SHORT SCRIPT WINNER in the HOLLYWOOD GOLD AWARDS. Thank you, HGA, for the honors!
BLOOD, SCUM & NEON LIGHTS is an Honorable Mention in the FLORENCE FILM AWARDS. Thank you again, FFA, for the double accolades!
BLOOD, SCUM & NEON LIGHTS received an Honorable Mention in the ART FILM AWARDS. Thank you, AFA!
AUGUST 2021
A NIGHT AT THE DRIVE-IN made it as far as an Official Selection in the NEW YORK INDEPENDENT CINEMA AWARDS. Thank you, NYICA!
THE LETTER made it as far as a Best Short Script Quarter-Finalist in the LONDON FILM & TELEVISION FESTIVAL. I’m very grateful for its inclusion after learning that hundreds of entries were submitted worldwide! Thank you, LFTF!
The JIGSAW had its first film festival entry in the GOTHAMITE MONTHLY FILM AWARDS. And it was named the August 2021 Winner for Best Horror Script of the Month. Thank you, GMFA!
THE LETTER is the Best Screenplay Winner in the Top Shorts Film Festival for August 2021. Thank you, Top Shorts, for this amazing honor!
THE LETTER is a Semi-Finalist in the LOS ANGELES FILM AWARDS. Thank you, LAFA!
A NIGHT AT THE DRIVE-IN is a two-time winner for both Best Screenplay Feature and Best Comedy Screenplay. Thank you, again, NEW YORK FILM AWARDS, for the double honors.
A NIGHT AT THE DRIVE-IN is the FILMCON AWARDS Best Feature Screenplay Winner for July 2021. Thank you, again, Filmmakers Connect!
The Coop Crusader: An Animated Tale is the FILMCON AWARDS 24HR Screenwriting Challenge Runner-up Winner for July 2021. Thank you, Filmmakers Connect, for this challenging honor!
