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T H E   N O V E L S

 

ADAPTED FROM THE SCREENPLAYS

 

More Than Yesterday

Less Than Tomorrow

 

(formerly titled)

BORROWED DREAMS

C    O    M    I    N    G

 

 

recognizes

 

2024

 

BORROWED DREAMS

 

screenplay

 

 

 

 

 

 

White Shadows, Black Dreams

 

Now Adapted Into the Novel

 

 

My Journey to Lewaro

Stories Along the Way

 

 

 

HOLLYWOOD GATEWAY

SCREENPLAY COMPETITION

 

WHITE SHADOWS, BLACK DREAMS is an extraordinary accounting of African-American life at the turn of the 20th Century written in epic form. It's the classic story of triumphing over insurmountable odds to wealth, prosperity, leadership and independence. The formula has been attempted many times, but rarely does the storytelling transcend from telling the overwhelming story to taking the audience on the journey along with the central character. WHITE SHADOWS, BLACK DREAMS is in the company of THE COLOR PURPLE and ROOTS.  (read more under comments tab)

 

 

My Journey to Lewaro: Stories Along the Way explores the depths of human depravity, and  the resilience that enables us to triumph over it. In situations of the most dire violence and  inhumanity shines a gleam of love, endurance, and commitment to a belief in the possibility of goodness. The novel is a testament to the capacity of these values and beliefs to persist  and overcome in the face of the evil they encounter. Despite the heart-wrenching realities it  explores, My Journey to Lewaro: Stories Along the Way is a book of profound hope and  ultimately a love story. LEWARO ROAD

  

The novel is narrated by the protagonist herself, in a style infused with all the wit and wisdom she needs to draw on to survive the trials she encounters. The music of the prose captures the verve and passion of the lives it traces, and the arc of the narrative follows an epic trajectory, encompassing a vision as broad and embracing as the love that animates her awareness.   LEWARO ROAD

 

 

  

The Board of Trustees of the

 

AMERICAN CINEMA FOUNDATION

 

ANNOUNCES

 

The 8th Annual SCREENWRITING COMPETITION WINNER

 

Justin Swingle, for WHITE SHADOWS, BLACK DREAMS

 

For excellence in screenplay writing which tell a positive story about specific fundamental values and their importance to society.

 

The AMERICAN CINEMA FOUNDATION nurtures and rewards feature film and television projects which address fundamental social values and support and strengthens the common good and the common culture.

 

http://www.cinemafoundation.com/archive-2001-2004.php

 

 

CINEMA FOUNDATION.com

 

JUDGES:

 

Academy member Lionel Chetwynd

 

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0156417/awards?ref_=nm_awd

 

Nominated for an Academy award Best Writing, Screenplay Adapted From Other Material


The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz (1974) 

 

Lionel Chetwynd Productions

 

https://www.imdb.com/search/title/?companies=co0019459

 

Academy member Bob Gale

 

Writer | Back to the Future

 

Bob Gale is an Oscar-nominated screenwriter-producer-director, best known as co-creator, co-writer and co-producer of Back to the Future (1985) and its sequels. Gale was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, and graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a B.A. in Cinema from the University of Southern California.  He has written over 30 screenplays.

 

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0301826/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm

 

  

 

Nicholl recognises Justin Swingle's first screenplay
 
White Shadows, Black Dreams (as Journey To Lewaro)
 
 

W H I T E   S H A D O W S,  B L A C K   D R E A M S

 

(Justin Swingle's First Screenplay Originally Titled Journey to Lewaro)

 

 

 

 

"This is an enormously talented writer. The writing is powerful and poetic. The characters are especially vivid and compelling. I've rarely read a script as good as this one - as a producer I would hire this writer in a second. This is a brilliant script and will make a powerful movie."

                            Academy Member Pamela Wallace

 

 

COMPETITION JUDGES' FEEDBACK

 

EVALUATION  I.

 

Madam C.J.Walker, a very, very wonderful choice for a screenplay! You have taken on a difficult task, and created an excellent script! Your characters are strong, full of spirit and energy. The dialogue is real and engaging. The narration draws the reader in - it is visually strong. I easily see this on screen, either large or small screen format. You weave many elements around Sarah's life in good form and keep us focused on her journey. Her story is so inspiring and motivating, it needs to be told. Very well done!

 

 

EVALUATION  II.

 

You are a wonderful writer with a very compelling story. Your writing is very visual and you have great tension and conflict in the dialogue and between the characters – excellent for the movie screen! Your structure meets all the elements of screenplay style. In spite of the horrid scenes of oppression, you balance the characters and story with good use of humor. You have the ability to develop character through dialogue. Your characters are whole and rich, extremely well written. You have a clear cinematic vision and are capable of showing, not telling, which so many writers fall prey to.  The story is a real page-turner.

 

 

***

"Justin Swingle is an amazing young writer. My heart is still ringing from reading his work, JOURNEY TO LEWARO. This ambitious script demonstrates big talent in all areas of screenwriting, and in particular, character and dialogue (his characters are real - they jump off the page).

 

The story itself is stitched together with quality and dramatic dexterity. And although it takes its time, it reads like a page-turner because it is honest, relevant and smart. I look forward to reading future writing wonders from Justin Swingle." Craig Kellem

 

Former agent for CMA, (ICM)

Associate Producer, "Saturday Night Live"

Development Executive, 20th Century Fox, TV

Vice-president in charge of Comedy Development, Universal

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0445559/