Screenwriting: Writing Your Third Act (Oct. 2021)

Deborah Goodwin's screenwriting journey started with a decade in development at Hollywood studios like USA Networks, CBS, ABC Daytime. She is the former Director of Development at Sanford-Pillsbury ( "Desperately Seeking Susan," "River's Edge," and "How To Make An American Quilt”.)

She made her mark as a screenwriter and independent filmmaker when she won the Urbanworld Film Festival Grand Jury Prize for Best Screenplay for her bold and darkly funny family drama, "Cherrys." This win put her on the map and opened doors for future projects.

Deborah's writing gained attention, scoring fellowships with prestigious organizations like Film Independent (FIND) and IFP (The Gotham) Lab Emerging Narrative.

Some of her produced works include the horror/fantasy film "Vampires in Venice," which got international buzz at the Marché du Film in Cannes, and the action/drama "The Pastor," released by Fathom Events and AMC. "The Pastor" was a groundbreaking project in the amplification of day and date releasing, premiering at the same time in 500 theaters across the United States and 300 theaters throughout Latin and South America.

"The Pastor" also stands out for having a mostly Latin American/Latinx cast, showing Deborah's commitment to diversity in her work. The film launched the careers of several rising stars, including Ismael Cruz Cordova, who later became famous for his roles in "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Rings of Power," Victoria Cartagena, known for her role in "Batwoman," David Iacono, who starred in "The Summer I Turned Pretty," Rosal Colon, recognized for her work in "Orange Is the New Black," and Frank G, a seasoned actor with credits in "Power" and "Saw."

At the height of The Pandemic Deborah and Ginni Media teamed to produce critically acclaimed and highly rated scripted audio meta fiction podcast series” Fear, A Love Story” created by Goodwin. Seasons one and two topped Apple’s 100 podcasts to listen to chart and boasts an impressive 8.3/10 on Amazon. Season three will air Valentine’s Day 2025.

Deborah Goodwin's career shows her strong dedication to storytelling, her fresh approach to filmmaking, and her commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in the entertainment world.

Kimberly Barrante is the geeky offspring of a chemist and a librarian. She began her career as a playwright in New York City, after receiving a BA from Emerson College. She received her MFA in Dramatic Writing at Tisch NYU before moving to Los Angeles. Her award-winning screenplay CELERITAS was on the Annual Black List in 2014. It was later performed on The Black List Table Reads Podcast in 2015. Kim completed a feature-writing fellowship at Lionsgate Studios in 2016. She has gone on to work in both features and television. Her pilot, SEDNA, was recently optioned to Universal Content Productions. Composition 8 is attached to produce.

Harrison James studied directing at Boston University where she received the Dean’s Grant for Filmmaking. She then attended the American Film Institute Conservatory as both a Screenwriting and Directing Fellow. Her screenplay STILL LIFE was a finalist for the Sundance Lab. She is currently writing and directing VENICE BEACH CC, a series, and SHOOTING STAR, a feature about a Marine who comes home from Afghanistan and re-enters his life, changed. She recently directed stage productions of COWBOY MOUTH, SAVAGE LOVE, and FOOL FOR LOVE, all written by Sam Shepard. Harrison is a working writer for producers such as Heather Graham, and directors such as Julian Goldberger, Autumn DeWilde, and Melodie McDaniel. Her spots for Spies Travel were directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, and won the Bronze Lion at Cannes. Harrison co-founded Girl Trip, a production company, panel series and festival to advance emerging femme identifying filmmakers. She is on the Directing faculty at the American Film Institute Conservatory, and is thrilled to be a new Advisor at Sundance Co//ab. Devoted to being an actor’s director, she currently studies with Nancy Banks. Harrison lives and works in Los Angeles, and is represented by Anonymous Content.

Éva Gárdos is an award-winning film director and editor born in Hungary. Francis Ford Coppola gave Gardos her first job in film, working as a production assistant on APOCALYPSE NOW in the Philippines. She went on to establish a career as a film editor (VALLEY GIRL, MASK, BARFLY, BASTARD OF OUT CAROLINA), working with distinguished directors such as Barbet Schroeder, Peter Bogdanovich, and Anjelica Huston. 

Éva’s screenwriting and feature film directorial debut, AN AMERICAN RHAPSODY, starred a young Scarlett Johansson. The film won many prizes on the Festival Circuit and was released by Paramount Classics. The producer Andrew Vajna (RAMBO, TERMINATOR, PLATOON) was an Executive Producer on AMERICAN RHAPSODY. When he was appointed Minister of the Hungarian Film Fund she worked with him as his Creative Consultant rewriting scripts, working with directors and editors on their films.

After discovering the bestselling Hungarian novel, Budapest Noir, she developed and directed the film version, Set in 1936, when Hungary was on the verge of embracing facism, the film resonates the politics of today. It premiered at the Chicago Film Festival, and has played at many other festivals such as Palm Springs, Denver, Shanghai. It will be on VOD April of 2020.

Amongst her current projects, is CINDY IN IRAQ, inspired by the true life events of Cindy Morgan, a truck driver from Arkansas who, having fallen on hard times, left her home and children to work as a contractor for Halliburton during the height of the Iraqi war.

Éva has taught Thesis Film Editing and Directing at NYFA for 6 years and is currently an Artist-in-Residence at the Sundance Institute.