And the the winner is....After the Headlines

Hello all,

Some of you may have read the tweets, others may have seen my facebook thread, but for those of you who haven't I'm hear to share that After the Headlines won the award for 'Best Dramatic Scene' at the 2009 Action on Film (AOF) International Film Festival, http://www.aoffest.com/. I think I mentioned before that AOF was my first acceptance into a major film festival.

The way they gave the award was pretty cool. They read the names and titles of the nominees and the winner would come to the podium once they heard their script being read out loud. It was exciting to hear my name among the nominees and I felt like a winner for being in the company of the festivals best screenwriters, but when I heard the words from my script being read, I almost didn't believe it. I ran to the podium and was handed a mic to give a thank you speech. Tears of joy ran down my face and I cried as I accepted my award! I sort of wish I didn't break down in tears, but people came up to me after and said I was cute and that they were moved by my speech. I was somewhat relieved, but still embarrassed. I forget how emotional I can get when I'm happy or sad.

I thanked the AOF Festival coordinators, Del Weston (AOF creator), Josh Neufeld (AOF Festival director), and John Hogan (AOF Festival senior director). John presented me my framed certificate. I gave him a big hug as he whispered another congratulations in my ear. It was my first Oscar like moment and I'm so grateful to have been apart of this festival. If you're a screenwriter, actor, or director and you do the numbers game, you get used to rejection. The fact is, you get more of those than acceptance letters. It's a necessary evil in the business of entertainment. I've learned to develop a thick skin and to brush off the rejections as part of my screenwriter's journey. I think that's what makes my win feel so sweet. I'm going to enjoy it whle it lasts. I don't know when I will be here again. Thanks AOF!!!!!

Although this win feels great, I know I still have my work cut out for me as a writer. I have to continue to hone my craft. I can't allow myself to think that because After the Headlines won the AOF award for 'Best Dramatic Scene' that my work is done. I know it's not. AOF has given me a great opportunity to further myself and I plan to capitalize on it. I'm so glad I came out to Pasadena to attend this festival. The AOF staff go out of their way to make the filmmakers and screenwriters they accept feel at home. I'm glad to be part of the AOF family. The pressure is on....I can't wait to submit again next year.