The Third Annual “First Act, First Look” Screenwriting Contest is Open for Submissions!
Film and Television Director Joy Kecken will serve as a guest judge for the Virginia Screenwriters Forum’s (VSF) third annual First Act, First Look Screenplay Contest, which is hosted on Filmfreeway.com from April 1 through May 31.A show runner, producer and librettist, as well as a playwright, Kecken has worked in television productions, films and documentaries for over 20 years. She has written and directed for the critically acclaimed HBO series, THE WIRE and served as an executive producer on Apple+’s SWAGGER. As a consulting producer she has worked with some of the team from SWAGGERon the upcoming Nat Geo’s Genius series for the MLK/X season. She also served as a co-executive producer on FX’s KINDRED. Kecken’s feature, ALL-IN, is in development with Maven Pictures.
Her additional writing credits include MOTHERLAND: FORT SALEM, MARVEL’S CLOAK AND DAGGER and HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREET. Kecken’s shorts and feature documentary that she wrote and co-directed screened at over 30 film festivals and appeared on Showtime and BET. “VSF is elated and honored to have a judge of Joy’s stature,” said Robin Farmer, VSF director. “Our contest is increasingly attracting talented writers near and far. In 2023, we had a submission from a Scotland-based screenwriter.” A $500 cash prize will be presented to the Grand Prize Winner at the 2024 VSF Short Film Showcase at the Ashland Theatre, Saturday, August 24, noon to 4 p.m. The showcase is free.
The 2023 VSF Short Film Showcase was a night to remember. With more than 200 moviegoers in attendance and seven outstanding short films written and produced by members of the Forum this year, VSF’s second annual showcase nearly filled the historic Ashland Theatre for an afternoon of film screenings, Q&As, and award presentations. Legendary casting director Erica Arvold (Dopesick, House of Cards, Black Adam) came to announce the winner of this year’s First Act, First Look Screenwriting Contest, 36-time Emmy-winning director Jesse Vaughn (Juwanna Mann, Living in a Food Desert) announced the Audience Choice winner, and Swagger Executive Producer Joy Kecken recorded a special video appearance to announce her award selections for the films.
This year‘s guest judge is Erica Arvold, an Emmy nominated casting director, producer, writer/director, and educator. She has contributed to, participated in, or helmed the making of over 150 films, 90 television shows, and countless multimedia & commercial projects.
Thank you and Congratulations to everyone who submitted an entry in the First Act, First Look Screenplay Contest!! Entries are now closed and the judges are hard at work reading the numerous scripts. We are excited to announce our first winner on September 1, 2022. Check back for news as we get closer and Happy Writing!!
VSF’s first ever screenwriting competition, “First Act, First Look” opens for entries April 1, 2022. Writers who wish to enter can do so via Film Freeway. A link is provided on the Contest page by
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