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Emerging screenwriters gather at Santa Fe Film Fest to share their journeys
On Friday, October 19th, the Santa Fe International Film Festival held a special event celebrating the 10 Screenwriters to Watch. This annual recognition highlights some of the most promising upcoming talents in the industry. Held at Santa Fe’s Lensic Performing Arts Center, the event provided a platform for these screenwriters to share their journeys, inspirations, and the projects that earned them this prestigious nod.
Early inspirations and cinematic influences
The panel kicked off with a lively discussion about the films that first ignited their passion for screenwriting. Each participant shared the movie that made them realize that writing for film and TV was an attainable career.
Miciana Alise, co-screenwriter of Fancy Dance, cited John Huston’s Annie as her inspiration, particularly praising Carol Burnett’s performance. Erica Tremblay, her writing partner, mentioned the emotional impact of The Last Emperor. For Noah Pink, known for Eden, it was the thrilling experience of Jurassic Park that sparked his interest.
Tory Kamen and Nora Garrett, who worked on Eleanor the Great and After the Hunt respectively, both pointed to Juno and the influence of Diablo Cody as pivotal. Patrick Cunnane, the mind behind Eternity, attributed his inspiration to classics like Home Alone, Beauty and the Beast, and even the comedy Houseguest starring Sinbad.
Diverse paths to screenwriting
The screenwriters each described their unique and often unconventional paths to the industry.
Jocelyn Bioh, writer of Once on This Island, spoke fondly of her childhood dream to become a Fly Girl on In Living Color. Her ambitions shifted to musical theater, and a playwriting class in college solidified her path. By contrast, Tory Kamen realized her love for storytelling at her grandfather’s funeral, humorously noting how she wrote her parents’ eulogies at the age of seven.
Patrick Cunnane, after seven years in the political realm under then-President Barack Obama, whimsically decided to write a TV pilot. His White House connection fortuitously led to a production deal. Similarly, Dan Brier, associated with Sweethearts, transitioned from improv comedy to screenwriting, finding an unexpected inroad through a connection in jail via his lawyer father.
Erica Tremblay’s journey was marked by a revelation: at 21, she discovered women could be filmmakers after watching High Art and noticing it was written and directed by Lisa Cholodenko. This led her to leave her stripping job, save up money, and move to Los Angeles, where she started as an assistant.
Exploring their work and creative processes
Each writer also elaborated on how their experiences informed their work. Nora Garrett’s long stint as a Hollywood assistant deeply influenced After the Hunt, reflecting on power dynamics and the concept of cancel culture. Miciana Alise gathers inspiration from the people around her, frequently eavesdropping at cafes to capture authentic character interactions.
Noah Pink often writes about real-life people and events, uncovering universal truths that resonate across time. He noted that historical patterns often repeat, a theme that enriches his storytelling.
Khaila Amazan, who collaborated with musician Anderson .Paak on K-Pops, emphasized the personal nature of the project, turning it into a family affair that impacted her on a personal level. Chandler Baker, the creative mind behind Oh. What. Fun, drew from her own experience of managing family holidays to craft her storyline.
Unique perspectives and future projects
Jocelyn Bioh’s current project, Once On This Island, a Caribbean-set musical based on Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid, stands out due to its deeply personal perspective. Bioh shared the emotional journey of accepting her beauty as a dark-skinned woman and the importance of representation in her work.
The event highlighted the diverse backgrounds and creative processes of these emerging screenwriters, offering a glimpse into the future of storytelling. As they continue to push the boundaries of film and television, their unique voices and perspectives promise to bring fresh and compelling narratives to the screen.
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