SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES FIRST-EVER CATALYST SCREENPLAY COMPETITION GRAND PRIZE WINNER, FINALISTS, & SEMI-FINALISTS

SEATTLE, WA -- May 12, 2016 -- SIFF is proud to announce the Grand Prize winner of its first-ever Catalyst Screenplay Competition. The outstanding winning screenplay for 2016 is THE TRAIL by Yvonne Paulin, a riveting dramatic thriller set in the snow-covered forests of Washington state that follows a young mother as she fights for her life while unraveling the mystery of her missing daughter. THE TRAIL will receive a live read-through at the SIFF Film Center on Saturday, June 11 during SIFF's Catalyst Weekend (June 9-12, 2016), with screenwriter Yvonne Paulin expected in attendance as a distinguished guest of the Festival.
 
The SIFF Catalyst Screenplay Competition connects strong scripts with independent directors and producers, all alumni of SIFF's Catalyst program. It emphasizes the importance of the screenwriter in the creative process and closes the loop of mentorship and collaboration by drawing on industry professionals who have participated in and graduated from Catalyst over its five years of existence.
 
Carl Spence, SIFF's Festival Director and Chief Curator, says, "SIFF has supported the screenwriting process throughout our four-decade history. Our more recent Catalyst program in general -- and the Screenplay Competition in particular -- have been instrumental in deepening our relationships with the most exciting new voices in U.S. independent cinema."
 
J. Brad Wilke, SIFF Catalyst Programmer and Screenplay Competition Manager, says, "Throughout the launch of SIFF's new Catalyst Screenplay Competition, our entire team worked hard to keep the screenwriter at the center of the process. With the results now tabulated, I couldn't be more pleased with the outcome of the contest, the quality of the reader feedback, and the lessons learned that will make next year's iteration even better."
 
Each screenplay submitted to the SIFF Catalyst Screenplay Competition receives one page of written feedback from SIFF's team of trained screenplay readers. Semi-finalist scripts are determined with the use of a 13-category, 10-point rating system. This year, the ten semi-finalist scripts were evaluated by screenwriter George Wing (50 FIRST DATES), who selected the Grand Prize winner, three finalists, and six semi-finalists, each of whom will receive a live reading in front of an audience as part of SIFF's monthly Catalyst programming over the coming year.
 
Grand Prize Winner
THE TRAIL by Yvonne Paulin
 
Finalists
DIETRICH DANZIG by John Pisano-Thomsen
THE FLID SHOW by Richard Willett
THE ROUSTIE by Gina B. LaLonde
 
Semi-Finalists
LOCK EYES by Bodine Boling
PRIVATE PARTS by Elizabeth Giorgi
RED IVORY by Noah Foster-Koth
SAVING SHENANDOAH by Alessandra Bautze
SOME KIND OF MIRACLE by Arun Narayanan
SUBJECT A by Shannon Bentley
 
Prize packages include:
 
1 Grand Prize Winner receives:
Live script reading during SIFF 2016 Catalyst Weekend
Invitation to SIFF 2016 (including domestic coach airfare and 2 nights' accommodations)
All of the benefits at the Finalist and Semifinalist levels
 
3 Finalists will receive:
Skype consultation with participating SIFF Catalyst alumni
All of the benefits at the Semifinalist level
 
6 Semifinalists will receive:
Scripts are read by panel of film industry judges
Submission of script to Catalyst alumni producers and directors
Cinematic Six Pack of tickets to SIFF 2016 and admission to regular-priced Forums events
Live script reading during the 2016/17 SIFF Catalyst First Draft series
(Includes opportunity to Skype in for event and receive a recording of the event)
 
Please visit the SIFF Catalyst Screenplay Competition page on the SIFF website for additional details: http://bit.ly/catalystscript.

About SIFF

Founded in 1976, SIFF creates experiences that bring people together to discover extraordinary films from around the world with the Seattle International Film Festival, SIFF Cinema, and SIFF Education. Recognized as one of the top film festivals in North America, the Seattle International Film Festival is the largest, most highly attended film festival in the United States, reaching more than 150,000 annually. The 25-day festival is renowned for its wide-ranging and eclectic programming, presenting over 450 features, short films, and documentaries from over 80 countries each year. SIFF Cinema exhibits premiere theatrical engagements, repertory, classic, and revival film showings 365 days a year on five screens at the SIFF Cinema Egyptian, SIFF Cinema Uptown, and SIFF Film Center, reaching more than 120,000 attendees annually. SIFF Education offers educational programs for all audiences serving more than 13,000 students and youth in the community with free programs each year.

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