ATLFF Presents Page to Stage: 2026 Screenplay Competition Winners
MAY 1TARA THEATRE
documentarythrillersci-fiindustryacting
Fri, May 1 · 3:30 PM
About
Experience the magic of storytelling as excerpts from five winning short, pilot, and feature film scripts are brought to life on stage by talented SAG-AFTRA actors. These exceptional scripts, chosen for their originality, creativity, and impact, span a variety of genres and themes, offering a glimpse into the next wave of compelling narratives in film and television. This staged reading highlights the voices of emerging and established writers, showcasing their work in a dynamic and engaging format. Whether you're a fan of sharp dialogue, captivating characters, or groundbreaking ideas, this event promises to immerse you in the power of great storytelling. Don't miss the chance to witness these award-winning scripts come alive before your eyes! Moderator: Melissa Simpson Screenplay Winners: Feature Films: "Amen & Ameen" by Susan Polk "Ghost Mountain" by James Taing & Brian Kazmarck "Stormrunner" by Jack Padgett Pilot: "Imposter" by Kalos Chu Short Film: "Olivia Colman Says My Farts Don’t Stink" by Lisa Marie Tedesco Born in California, raised in Florida and New Mexico and now living in New Jersey, Susan Polk is a screenwriter with roots spanning the country which inspires her to write character-driven, female-centric stories that explore family, motherhood, faith and community, hatred and healing. Her screenplays have been recognized with Grand Prizes by the 50th Anniversary Atlanta Film Festival and the inaugural Coronado Int’l Film Festival, as well as several placings in the Nicholl Fellowships, the Austin Film Festival, and the NYWIFT Writer’s Lab, among many others. Notably, Susan’s autobiographical screenplay, SuzyQ , received a Black List nomination after being read at Pascal Pictures. Co-writer of Ghost Mountain , the story of Evette Pierpaoli, a French businesswoman who risks everything to rescue survivors and refugees caught in a massacre. The film is based on a short documentary of the same name, which James Taing co-produced and co-directed, exploring his father’s survival during the incident. Brian Kazmarck is an award-winning writer/director based on the East Coast whose films have played all over the world. He's directed both shorts and a feature-length sci-fi thriller. Brian's short film Standing Eight is available on Amazon Prime. Jack Padgett is a writer, director, producer, and artist based in Atlanta, Georgia. Originally a playwright, he pivoted into production after graduating at the cusp of the 2020 Covid lockdowns and is now a Production Coordinator in the vibrant Atlanta commercial scene. The skills Jack has developed in this role have enabled him to self-produce his own work. He is currently in the process of editing his second short film, Deflating Kalos Chu is a Los Angeles-based writer, probably currently sitting in traffic. He wrote the book for OUT: An Asian American Musical, which was developed through National Centre for New Musicals at Theatre Aquarius. Kalos has also previously written for The Hasty Pudding Theatricals, the oldest theatrical organization in the United States. Most recently, he and co-writer Ian Chan were commissioned by the Musical Stage Company in Toronto, Ontario, to write an original musical, titled The Crossroads. Lisa Marie Tedesco is a queer filmmaker from New Haven, CT where they strive for more LGBTQIA+ representation in front of and behind the camera. They have written many award-winning scripts that have turned into award-winning films that have played globally on the festival circuit. “I am THRILLED to have been selected as the short screenplay winner at Atlanta Film Festival’s 50th year!”
Details
Show
3:30pm
Tickets
Tickets available ↗
Getting There
2345 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30324, USA Brookwood, GA
Five Points · 2 min walk
Deck parking · available