by Shannonn Kelly
Last update 06:59AM, EST, April 14, 2009

Before we choose our Top 3 Scripts that win Rehearsed and Cast-to-Type Live Reads for ReelHeART 2009, we have to read through a lot of feature length entries from around the world to find out who our finalists will be-

l-r: Screenwriters, Joe Acton and Jason Coleman

In our inaugural season of the ReelHeART Screenplay Competition 2007, we were delighted to have a bit of drama. Screenwriter Joe Acton, wrote two of the top three winning scripts; which were polar opposites of each other in terms of character, theme, tone and plot line. He won 1st and 3rd place honors at ReelHeART 2007.

Aside from single entries, in 2009 we had over 2 dozen writers send us 2 or more feature length scripts, seeking to increase their chances of winning a coveted spot in the Top 3.

One thing that I love about our feature screenplay competition is that ReelHeART is among a tiny group of festivals that know it’s important to give feedback to our submitting screenwriters, winners or not.  We don’t charge extra for that service.

It’s part and parcel of your submission fee. We love to read and be helpful to all our our current and future screenwriters that come to ReelHeART. I hope that it shows in the coverage notes you’ll receive from us via email.

We generally choose six scripts to go to our agent of choice.The level of writing this year made it a very difficult decision for 2009.

Many scripts were so inventive that while one reader would love it and score it high marks, another reader would hate it and would score with very low marks, wreaking complete havoc with the ‘bell curve’ that we use for our reading rounds.

Who will be in the Top 3 for the ReelHeART Screenplay Competition 2009…? Time and a great script will tell…Stayed tuned!

It’s with great pleasure that we formally announce our screenplay 3rd Round Qualifiers, our Semi-Finalists and Finalists for the ReelHeART Screenplay Competition 2009. In no particular order they are:

ReelHeART Feature Screenplay 2009 - Top 3 Winners

• Announced April 14, 2009

FINALIST

• Some Romeo, by Renee Clyde
• The Smiling Zombie, by Tom McIntire
• Dressed In A Black Flag, by Marc Winzer
• The Karma Stone, by Tom McIntire
• Upside Brown, by Brad Farris
• The Sleep Clinic, by Ramona Baillie

SEMI-FINALIST

• Choices, by James Kirtland
• Stillwater Junction, by Amber Beard
• Darkest Green, by Ramona Baillie and Olivia Gottlieb
• Based on True Events, by Cime Bruce
• Hear Boy, by Noah Edelson
• Some Romeo, by Renee Clyde
• The Smiling Zombie, by Tom McIntire
• Dressed In A Black Flag, by Marc Winzer
• The Karma Stone, by Tom McIntire
• Upside Brown, by Brad Farris
• The Sleep Clinic, by Ramona Baillie
• Shangri-La, by James Kirtland

3rd ROUND QUALIFIER

• Roccoco, by PJ Solis
• Sway Me, by Jamie Connor
• Choices, by James Kirtland
• Stillwater Junction, by Amber Beard
• Darkest Green, by Ramona Baillie and Olivia Gottlieb
• Based on True Events, by Cime Bruce
• Hear Boy, by Noah Edelson
• Some Romeo, by Renee Clyde
• The Smiling Zombie, by Tom McIntire
• Dressed In A Black Flag, by Marc Winzer
• The Karma Stone, by Tom McIntire
• Upside Brown, by Brad Farris
• The Sleep Clinic, by Ramona Baillie
• Shangri-La, by James Kirtland

Congratulations!. You did a fantastic job! With so many screenplay competitions out there, we are honored that you chose one with ReelHeART!