The San Francisco Film Society today announced the eight finalists for the fifth annual $15,000 SFFS / Hearst Screenwriting Grant. The 2013 finalists include a number of writer-directors whose work has recently made waves on the international festival scene, including Destin Cretton (Short Term 12), Tom Gilroy (The Cold Lands) and Eliza Hittman (It Felt Like Love). The winner will be announced in mid-September.
2013 SFFS / HEARST SCREENWRITING GRANT FINALISTS
Eliza Hittman — A
Skye, a teenage girl living in rural Pennsylvania, catches a Greyhound bus on a secret journey to New York City to do something for which she might never be forgiven. Hittman’s previous work includes It Felt Like Love (2013). For more information visit elizahittman.com.
Tariq Tapa — THE BEST THAT TOMORROW WILL BRING
A recently homeless widow drives cross-country on a parade float, hoping to meet the grandson she has never known before he is deployed to war overseas. Tapa’s previous work includes Zero Bridge (2008). For more information visit mongrelworks.com.
Shaka King — LIQUID COURAGE
In the 90’s, drugs and alcohol ruined Deuce Harding’s career. In 2013 they’ll make him a star. King’s previous work includes Newlyweeds (2013).
Destin Cretton — MA
After being a mom for 30 years, Jan is forced to deal with the fact that her youngest son has finally left the nest. On a road-trip down the Oregon Coast, she begins to learn what it means to live life after motherhood. Cretton’s previous work includes Short Term 12 (2013) and I Am Not a Hipster (2012).
Tom Gilroy — OUR LADY OF THE SNOW
When a convent is threatened with dissolution, the elderly nuns begin to have ecstatic visions. When the atheist teenager who cooks for them begins to share in those visions, supernatural events come to the aid of the convent. Gilroy’s previous work includes The Cold Lands (2013).
Alistair Banks Griffin — SNOW THE JONES
When teenage vagabond Lexi joins a traveling door-to-door sales crew, she discovers a world much darker than the one from which she was trying to escape. Griffin’s previous work includes Two Gates of Sleep (2010).
Matthew Porterfield — SOLLERS POINT
After serving a parole term detained in his father’s house, an ex-offender finds the adjustment to society and the workforce more difficult than the confines of home. Porterfield’s previous work includes I Used to Be Darker (2013) andPutty Hill (2010). For more information visit hamiltonfilmgroup.org.
Jeremy Teicher and Alexi Pappas — STICK AND CHUB
In a small American town obsessed with competitive running, 21-year-old star athlete Plumb Marigold rebels against her parents, coaches, agents, and teammates just weeks before the upcoming Olympic trials. Teicher and Pappas’ previous work includes Tall As the Baobab Tree (2013). For more information visit stickandchub.com.