Watch the August 2016 Winning Fantasy/Sci-FI Screenplay

FOR ALL MANKIND  by Matthew O’Connell

Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

In this high concept, atomic-era, sci-fi adventure, a brilliant WWII veteran and his determined daughter lead a team of mercenaries across the globe in a race to recover a mysterious, supernatural artifact with the power to permanently alter the future of humanity.

CAST LIST:

NARRATOR – Holly Sarchfield
ARTHUR – Peter Nelson
PRITCHETT – Kris Hagen
MARY – Elizabeth Griffin
BLAZANOV/COLIN – Geoff Mays
IVANA – Dorian Kolinas

Get to know the winning writer:

What is your screenplay about?

For All Mankind follows a brilliant, British WWII veteran and his daughter during the height of the Cold War as they attempt to solve an ancient, supernatural mystery. They recruit an international team of mercenaries to travel to the ruins of Maya to recover a powerful artifact before their Russian nemesis can claim it.

Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

This movie was conceived as a large scale, big-screen adventure. It’s a classic action/adventure that mixes in plenty of levity, original sci-fi elements, and surprising story turns. It captures the spirit of films like Raiders of the Lost Ark, King Kong, Stargate, Jurassic Park, and 2001: A Space Odyssey.

How would you describe this script in two words?

Astronomic adventure.

What movie have you watched the most times in your life?

Back to the Future.

How long have you been working on this screenplay?

I’ve been working on this for a couple years. It’s been through a lot of drafts!

How many stories have you written?

From shorts to features, probably dozens. For polished, marketable work, I have a few award-winning features and a couple of pilots. There’s more info on those on my site: http://www.matthewgoconnell.com

What motivated you to write this screenplay?

I wanted to write something that I would get excited about seeing in the theater. I wanted it to be a big, fun, exciting movie that was also intelligent and emotional. I also wanted to challenge myself to write something big, since most of my work is more contained.

What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?

The first draft was over 160 pages and included a lot more mythology and locations and set pieces. I did a lot of research on the ancient civilizations mentioned in the script in order to make the mythology real and organic, and a lot more research on celestial and geographic events to make sure this story had a real, historical foundation. But I got consistent feedback that the deeper science and mythology were slowing the story down, so I had to cut a lot of it out. Maybe it’ll make the sequel!

Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

I have also produced and shot movies, so anything relevant to film/TV production is of interest to me. I’m interested in technology too, and write for a technology publishing company.

What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?

The affordable entry rate and quick turnaround were appealing. But more than that, I appreciate how the festival supports a wide range of written work, including fan fiction, shorts, and more. It’s great to see that. And everyone involved has been genuinely interested in making the work better and increasing its exposure.

Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?

The hardest part of writing is finishing the first draft. If you can do that, you can do the rest.

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Director/Producer: Matthew Toffolo http://www.matthewtoffolo.com

Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne

Editor: John Johnson