Indie festival Slamdance has identified the next big screenwriters. The annual fest, which recently slated for December 2024, has announced the winners of its 2024 screenplay competition. Slamdance recognizes writers in feature film, horror/thriller, TV pilot, short film, and mentorship categories, with more than $18,000 in cash prizes, plus industry services, awarded.
The prizes were awarded during a live ceremony at the Writer’s Guild of America, West. IndieWire first announced the results. Past alums have included ”Day Shift” scribe Tyler Tice, “Tiana” series head writer Joyce Sherri, and “The Woodsman” co-writers Nicole Kassell and Steven Fechter.
Sherri was also present at the 2024 ceremony as the guest of honor to welcome the new winners to the Slamdance family. This year, the Grand Prize was bestowed to Jorge Lucas for his screenplay “Yokai,” which is a Japanese paranormal thriller based on his partner’s heritage. “Yokai” centers on a young girl who becomes fascinated with her grandmother’s superstitious ways and unwittingly unleashes a vengeful spirit from her family’s dark past, per the official logline.
“’Yokai’ stopped us in our tracks,” Slamdance festival director Taylor Miller told IndieWire. “This haunting, beautiful story weaves the weight of the immigrant experience and inherited struggles into something deeply human and unforgettable. The 2024 winners truly reflect Slamdance’s fearless spirit.
From 4,000 submissions, we.
