65 years from now, humanity is at the edge of extinction.
Countless countries have crumbled under the weight of a rapidly collapsing global economy. Many of the largest cities of our time have been wiped out by great wildfires or swallowed by rising seas. An unending heat stroke chokes all living things that remain; vast droughts, punishing plagues and forced migrations have ignited global conflict on an unprecedented scale. As our descendants fight for dwindling resources, children born during this time enter a shadow world of our own…inheriting a new Dark Age. But deep in the darkness, a lone ember of hope burns…

CAST LIST:

Narrator: Steve Rizzo
Naji: Kyana Teresa
A.I.: Val Cole

Get to know the writer:

1. What is your screenplay about?

Endure is ultimately about humanity's final fight for survival on an uninhabitable Earth. At the story's center is a protagonist who we watch come-of-age on a planet and in an American society that is quickly decaying and collapsing in on itself. He's the product of two parents who, on the surface couldn't be any different - his mother is a champion of idealism and enduring hope while his father is a pragmatic isolationist who's been forever traumatized by the atrocities he's witnessed as soldier. But they have one very strong bond in common - and that is their deep love for their son - who they struggle to raise as society seems to be falling apart around them. Our hero ultimately grows up to embody both the best and worst aspects of his parents' personalities as he follows in his father's footsteps and becomes a loyal and lethal soldier. In the name of his country, he'll commit his own atrocities - but later be given a chance at ultimate redemption as humanity's last hope for survival.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Sci-Fi / Young Adult Coming-of-Age

3. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

The story explores our impact upon and relationship with the planet. In my opinion, there's no more pressing issue that we face than climate change - which also seems to be a subtext in the many challenges humanity faces on a global scale (mass migrations and immigration, food / water scarcity / famine, political instability / nationalism). When you really start to analyze our impact upon the climate and what it would be naturally if we weren't here (Earth should be cooler right now instead of rapidly heating up) it makes you realize that all the other problems we are dealing with and that grab the headlines each day pale in comparison to what lies ahead if we don't take significant steps towards eco-preservation and protection. At the same time, our planet has proved its ability to heal itself if given the opportunity, which should give us hope and really motivate us to do much better. That's something I want to come through with this story if I were ever given the opportunity to tell this story in full and see this series through.

4. How would you describe this script in two words?

A Warning

5. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?

Probably The Godfather

6. How long have you been working on this screenplay?

On and off about 10 years

7. How many stories have you written?

Probably about a dozen

8. What is your favorite song? (Or, what song have you listened to the most times in your life?)

"One" by U2 or "41" by Dave Matthews Band

9. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?

Probably balancing the needs of my family and running a small commercial production company while trying to complete the pilot.

10. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

Above all else - movies and TV shows. But also sports (pro baseball, football, basketball) and Food.

11. You entered your screenplay via FilmFreeway. What has been your experiences working with the submission platform site?

FilmFreeway is great - makes it so clean and easy to navigate, get information on and track your submissions and update you on the festivals that really matter to you. It's been such a great tool for screenwriters, I wish it was around when I first started writing screenplays and submitting to festivals.

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

Being that climate change is such a key theme in this story - seeing that this was a festival focused on the Environment was a major draw. Very happy about the feedback I've already received and grateful to the festival for doing a read through of the pilot's first scene.