Australian Writers’ Guild announces winner of South Australian What’s the Story? competition

28 February, 2017

The Australian Writers’ Guild is pleased to announce that screenwriter Alex Vickery-Howe has been selected as the winner of the 2016 What’s the Story? screenwriting competition for South Australian writers.

Vickery-Howe was awarded the top prize for his feature film script Stupid Dead Boy, a dark comedy about three high school friends who plot to drug and humiliate an unfaithful boyfriend, only to discover his dead body instead.

The competition, which was open to South Australian writers, sought scripts that showcased a great and universal story as well as excellence in craft and skill. Jim Carroll was awarded highly commended by the judges for his script The Moth Myth, while ten other projects were longlisted.

The final judging panel were full of praise for the projects on the longlist: ‘The quality of the final twelve was exceptional. These are dedicated, talented writers committed to their craft,’ the panel said. ‘One of the most exciting things to see from the finalists was that they all had something to say – the scripts covered topical and compelling issues which left the reader with food for thought for days.’

Vickery-Howe reflected on the opportunities available to emerging writers, saying: ‘A frequent complaint among emerging writers for both stage and screen is that we often find ourselves drafting and redrafting scripts, or jumping through hoops, with no production outcome at the end of it. For writers to really learn and develop, we need direct engagement with the marketplace. We need to see our work performed.’

‘The Australian Writers’ Guild are champions for emerging writers and they offer practical, constructive support as we strive to get our work out there. Both Pathways and Scripted Ink. are exciting programs, linking emerging writers with industry professionals who are focused on bringing our crazy daydreams to life. I'm honoured, grateful and thrilled that AWG has taken this chance on me, and I look forward to taking the next step in my career.'

As part of their prize, Vickery-Howe and runner-up Carroll will be funded by South Australian Film Corporation to attend the AWG Pathways Big Day In event in March, an opportunity for screenwriters, producers and broadcasters to discuss content trends and the changing landscape of screen development and production in Australia.

They will also be invited to join AWG’s prestigious Pathways Program, where their projects will be showcased to industry professionals and be in consideration for Scripted Ink. development funding.

For more information on the projects or the Pathways Program, please visit the AWG website here.

What’s the Story? Longlist

Amber On Hold by Katharine McPhee

Failing Fidelity by Katharine McPhee

Chimera by Teresa Crea

Cyclone Santa by Robyn Opie Parnell

Response Time by Pete Monaghan

Famous Amos by Albert Jamae

Lurks Inc by Alex Vickery-Howe

The Big Nothing by Lucy Campbell

What Doesn’t Kill You by Sally Hardy

X Ray by Chris Tugwell

What’s the Story? Highly Commended

A Moth Myth by Jim Carroll

What’s the Story? Winner

Stupid Dead Boy by Alex Vickery-Howe