Thriller/Suspense Screenplay Readings Performed in 2016 (as of May 2016):
13 – Screenplays Performed
4 – Feature Scripts
3 – TV Pilots
4 – Short Scripts
2 – Best Scene Scripts
(Scroll down and watch winning performance videos)
Get your screenplay performed by professional actors at the Thriller/Suspense Festival.
The #1 Thriller/Suspense Festival and Contest in the World today!
– 0ffers screenwriters, novelists and storytellers at all levels the fantastic opportunity to hear their stories read aloud using TOP PROFESSIONAL ACTORS (see below for recent performance readings).
– One of the best places in the world for the writers to sell their script and/or obtain and agent.
– No matter what happens, you will receive full feedback on your work by our established committee. No other place in the world will you get coverage for the price you pay.
– Even if you’re just looking for feedback of your work, this is the festival for you.
– It’s there for all to see. The proof is in the viewership. These videos garner 1000s of views online. Some of the screenplay readings are more popular than actual studio films made!
– We specialize in showcasing Thriller/Suspense stories and making sure that when the work is ready, the writer will benefit by at least obtaining a solid agent.
The RULES are simple:
1. Write a story. Edit the heck out of it. .
2. Email your work to submission@thrillersuspensefestival.com in .pdf, .doc, .wpd, .rtf, format. Or, if submitting your film, please send us a Vimeo or download link.
In the body in the email please add your:
– FULL NAME
– CITY AND COUNTRY
– TITLE OF STORY/FILM
– TYPE OF WORK (short film, TV script, Feature script, short script, novel, short story)
– (optional) and a 1-2 line synopsis of your story/film.
PLEASE ADD YOUR FULL CONTACT INFO (especially email address) on the title page of your work.
3. Pay the $35 submission fee ($15 off regular submission) via the button here:
OR, Submit via FilmFreeway, the exclusive way our festival accepts submissions.:
WATCH Winning Thriller Screenplay and Story Readings:
Synopsis: Ronnie is a small-town sheriff in the South who still talks to his dead wife on a daily basis. His estranged sister-in-law, Brooke, is dealing with the sudden loss of her husband while still trying to conquer the mental demons of her past. Healing an old family rift becomes all the more difficult when those demons turn out to not merely be figments of her imagination.
“The Boo” is a Southern gothic thriller about a small-town, widowed sheriff who unexpectedly bonds with his estranged sister-in-law, now faced with having to overcome the sudden death of her American Marine husband, and their external struggle with The Boo Hag, who according to Gullah tradition in the SE United States, is the cousin of the vampire who steals the skin of a woman while she sleeps to find a way to attack men.
2. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
“The Boo” bridges the horror film genre to the Southern gothic thriller genre. Both genres have been terribly successful through too many horror films to name, and with Southern gothic stories like Mud, Slingblade, Smokey and the Bandit, etc. The budget for this movie would not have to be large, staying true to its horror film roots. And this is a story that has not yet been told. Originality is in short supply in today’s market, and this is worth the reach.
3. How would you describe this script in two words?
Mystical estrangement.
4. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?
Snatch
5. How long have you been working on this screenplay?
Three and a half years.
6. How many stories have you written?
Half a dozen. Two are actual feature films now (“Anyone” and “With You”). The short films I’ve written are “TwinkleTown”, “Rent Party”, “Simple”, “Avarice”, and “Eye For An Eye”.
7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?
This was a story pitched by a friend of mine, Brittany Sparkles, who knew the idea of The BooHag from a recent trip to South Carolina. This was during a 48-Hour film competition, and while her idea was passed over, she and I talked a lot that weekend so I could understand the story. From there, we altered it from a strict horror story to a multi-level Southern gothic thriller-horror film that strays into the world of the supernatural. Ultimately, I didn’t want to let a friend down who blessed me with this story to put into script form.
8. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
An ex-girlfriend to didn’t understand why I was spending so much time with my friend, Brittany. Ha! The obstacle for this story primarily time. In the beginning, I was frequently researching about The Boo Hag. Then it was finding time to track my outline before finally putting pen to paper and writing the actual script. Going over it tooth and nail over multiple versions, then having friends come in to read for me, then making adjustment based on what I was hearing, before finally saying it is “good enough” and put it into competition!
9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
My kids, my beautiful girlfriend, filmmaking as a whole, acting, golf, and the happiness of the most rambunctious rescue dog for which I could have asked!
10. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?
Not only do you get to hear/see your words comes to life by persons you don’t know, but it happening outside of where you can offer any direction, too. It’s up to the script! The videos of script reads and film screenings make the Thriller Festival one of a kind. The initial feedback I received led me to scout through my script with new eyes. Sure enough, every tip they have was a glaring weakness that needed fixing. I was more than happy to fix it!
11. Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?
Time spent planning early is probably three times less than fixing a screw up after you’ve completed it. Create your outline. Write as much story as you can (trigger phrases, trigger words, certain emotions that must happen), but not necessarily any dialogue. Story leads to plot, which leads to characters. Characters lead to interactions, which then lead to dialogue. Grow. Always grow.
Holiday Special. Use the code “thrillerdeal” and get $10 off the regular submission.
The monthly festival that showcases the best of Thriller/Suspense Genre Stories and Films from around the world.
Click to submit via Film Freeway:
Read recent testimonials of writers/filmmakers works showcased at the Thriller/Suspense Festival:
I was very moved and excited by watching the feedback video. It’s so amazing to see how people react.
– Erich Steiner, (Short Film, In the Still of the Night)
I truly believe that a table read is the next best thing in seeing my script on the big screen — so I entered my new thriller “The Devil’s Larceny.”
– Howard Fridkin, (Feature Script, The Devil’s Larceny)
I always thought that once a film is finished (or abandoned, as someone said once…), it no longer belongs to the filmmakers – it belongs to the audience. This festival is the perfect illustration of that. I very much appreciate the fact that your audience took the time to watch MEDIATION in the first place, and then chose to stay after the screening to discuss it. As a writer-director, I couldn’t ask for more – if there is an audience that cares enough to talk about a film I wrote and directed, then I’ve done my job.
– Francisco Lorite (Mediation Short Film)
I had heard rumors the feedback was genuine, and it did NOT disappoint. It helped me get to what you are about to watch and enjoy!
– Marc W Johnson (Legacy, Feature Film)
It was amazing to see the audience interact with the film. As a short filmmaker you rarely get the opportunity to get that much of detailed feedback from an audience. The general statement “It looks beautiful, but what the hell is going on” didn’t come as that much of a surprise as it is similar to reactions we received from other audiences 🙂 However, I myself enjoy films (or any piece of art for that matter) where there is lots of room for personal interpretation. So it is not that much about the intention of the writer or director, but more about what the audience makes of it for themselves. So in that sense I very much enjoyed the different interpretations and speculations concerning the story.
– Daniel Reimer, (Short Film, Bell Tower Enigma)
1st SCENE Screenplay – MALICIOUS INTENT
1st SCENE Screenplay – 20/20: SEARCH FOR INDEPENDENCE
1st SCENE Screenplay – GOD’S LITTLE GAG
1st SCENE Screenplay: NIGHT WIND TO BAHIA 
1st SCENE Screenplay: CRIME CYCLE 
1st SCENE Screenplay: CHASING THE WIND 
1st SCENE Screenplay – NINE SCARS 
1st Scene Screenplay – EXISTENTIAL QUANDARY 
1st Scene Screenplay – WHEN THERE WAS TIME 
1st Scene Screenplay – PUPPETS 
1st Scene Screenplay – MONSTER BENEATH THE ICE 
1st Scene Screenplay – BEFORE GOD 
1st Scene Screenplay – THE SHOT 
1st Scene Screenplay – ROAD TO TEXAS 
1st Scene -GUNNISON 
FEATURE Screenplay – FIEND
SHORT Screenplay – MATERNAL FEAR
BEST SCENE Screenplay – ELAN VITAL
