Boys In Summer by Dennis Shinners

Named Winner of 2013
Great Gay Screenplay Contest

Nelson Rodriguez*and
Dennis Shinners

Our congratulations go to Dennis Shinners whose screenplay Boys in Summer was named the winner of the 2013 Great Gay Screenplay Contest.

After the contest, Dennis sent us this note....

"Holy crap!" I blurted out at the announcement that I won this year's Pride Films and Plays' Great Gay Screenplay contest. Not my preferred choice of words, but I hold the martini that was in hand at the time responsible.

Not only was I surprised but very happy I chose to take part in this year's tough competition amongst talented writers.

Truth be told I had an excellent advantage to have the piece elevated by the gifted PF&P company member Nelson Rodriguez, whose wise distillation of the screen directions and inventive staging with a very talented and brave cast brought to life revelations, successes and areas that need development that I was too close to the work to realize.

It was a really great and rare experience to participate as an audience member for one's own work by an authentic and professional organization that brings stories from LGBT life to the world.

If you're a writer out there with a story to tell, I say get on board. They're also great to drink martinis with.

A synopsis of Boys in Summer...

A shy American college boy travels to Paris to reconnect with a French exchange student from his high school years and finds himself in battle for his affections with a bold, brash and aggressive Jersey girl.

Dennis Shinners grew up in New Jersey, attended NYU's film school and has called the city of New York home ever since. He is a writer, producer and director of high profile award-winning on-air campaigns for Nickelodeon, Nick @ Nite, Spike TV, Discovery Channel, Disney Channel, TV Land and the Oxygen Network. His two short films, Area X and GO-GO have enjoyed both domestic and international festival runs and distribution deals. His latest short Barrio Boy, based on a 2012 Pride Films & Plays screenplay finalist, hits the road this winter.

Amir Sade,
Edward Yeager, Jr and David Zak.

We send congratulations to the other finalists in the contest this year:

Buddy Booth by Edward Yeager, Jr.
The Starfish Scream by Brent Hartinger
The Passion Child by Amir Shade
Saguaro by Brandon Yarns

Pride Films and Plays

David Zak,

Executive Director

John Nasca, Patrick Rybarczyk, Derek Van Barham, Alexander St. John, Nelson Rodriguez

Artistic Associates

Allison Fradkin,

Literary Coordinator, Women's Work

PPF Artistic Ensemble

Charles A. Berglund, Derek Bertelsen, David Besky,

Tom Chiola, Jude Hansen, Kris Hyland, Donterrio Johnson, Kelley Keough, David Leeper, Joan McGrath, Michelle McKenzie-Voigt, James Nedrud, Robert Ollis, Jordan Phelps, Beth Richards, Raphael Schwartzman,

Nick Stockwell, Kevin Webb

PFP Writers Network

Marilynn Barner Anselmi, Pat Branch, Martin Casella, Howard Casner, Sean Chandler, Trish Cole,

Dylan Costello, Brent Hartinger, Tyler Dean Kempf,

Corinne J. Kawecki, Benjamin V. Marshall, Kari Morris, Dennis Nivens, Perry Ojeda, Leo Schwartz, Kirt Shineman, Dennis Shinners, George Smart, Ethan Steers,

Enrique Urueta, Vanda, Kevin Michael West, Thomas Ziegler

Board of Directors

Keith Stoneking, President Tom Chiola, Vice-President

Rebecca Kling, Treasurer Curtis Ksenak, Secretary

John Nasca, Steve Needham, Mike Weaver, David Zak

From Saguaro (L to R) Emmanuel Guttierez, screenwriter Brandon Yarns, David Wesley Mitchell, Christopher Thies Lotito

Cast of The Passion Child
(L to R) Grayson Heyl,
Scott Sawa, John Walski, screenwriter Amir Sade, Michael Graham, Julian Hester, Kara Ewinger, Kelly Parker, Joseph Beal, Christian Morris.

*Denotes PFP Artistic Ensemble Member

John Nasca* and Michael Graham

Thanks to Raphael Schwartzman*, and Jessica Forella for running a great festival.

Thanks to directors Nelson Rodriguez*, Sonita L. Surratt, Michael Graham, Raphael Schwartzman* and Juan Casta�eda for their fine work. Thanks to all the wonderful performers.

And congratulations to the filmmakers Dan Pal (Scotty Works OUT), Kim Yaged (Hypocrites + Strippers), Mary Guzm�n (The Wait), and Stefan Pfister (Coffee Talk) whose short films received their Chicago premieres!

Thanks to Marty Rogo and his great team at Marty's Martini Bar in Andersonville. They helped us conclude the weekend with a grand celebration and fund-raiser.