When a grieving teenage boy, sent to live with the father he's never met, is haunted by memories and wrestling with his identity, it takes the magic of pebbles on water and the transformative power of kind friends to help him accept his past and welcome his future.

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CAST LIST:

Narrator: Elizabeth Rose Morriss
Aunt Wendy: Hannah Ehman
Chris: Geoff Mays

Get to know the screenwriter:

1. What is your screenplay about?

The screenplay is, first and foremost, about a teenager dealing with profound grief and learning to find the inner strength needed to overcome loss, guilt and change.

The story centers around Chris, a 15-year-old who's really struggling after his mother's sudden death in a car accident. He's forced to relocate to this quiet island off the south coast of England, where he has to begin a new relationship with his estranged father. He also ends up forming a close friendship with Thane, one of his new classmates. Thane becomes this kind of anchor for Chris as he tries to navigate this new, unfamiliar environment.

But it's not just about adjusting to a new place—Chris is also dealing with a lot of internal conflict, especially around his identity. He has this unreciprocated crush on a girl, which is hard enough, but then he starts to realize he might have feelings for other boys too, and that really throws him.

There's this recurring theme of skimming pebbles throughout the story, which becomes a metaphor for Chris's journey. Every time he skips a stone, it's like a small act of hope, a way of testing the waters. The ripples symbolize the impact of his choices—how every decision he makes affects him and the people around him.

As Chris goes through all this, he's dealing with grief and trying to figure out who he really is. He's haunted by the loss of his mom and the rejections he's faced, which makes him feel really alone. But then, just when things seem bleak, he meets someone new who gives him a bit of hope.

In the end, Chris is faced with this big decision: does he embrace who he truly is and find happiness, or does he keep hiding and stay stuck in his sorrow? It's about that choice as he learns which is more difficult: holding on, or letting go.

I wanted to convey a story of dealing with grief head-on, and actually getting into the mind and feelings of someone in the immediate aftermath of a terrible tragedy. Most stories about grief tend to fast-forward through the grieving process to get to a place where a new story can begin; I wanted a narrative where dealing with grief was the story.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Young Adult, Coming of Age Drama

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

There are 5 reasons why I think this would make a compelling cinematic experience:

Firstly, Universal Themes: The story addresses universally relatable themes such as identity, loss, and the quest for self-acceptance, making it appealing to a broad audience.

Also, Emotional Depth: The script delves deep into the emotional journey of a young boy dealing with profound grief and identity struggles, offering a raw and authentic portrayal of adolescence.

Plus, Metaphorical Resonance: The recurring motif of skimming pebbles adds a layer of symbolic depth, reflecting Chris's growth and redemption, making the narrative both visually and emotionally compelling.
And, Dynamic Characters: Chris and Thane's relationship, along with other supporting characters, brings depth and authenticity to the narrative, ensuring a strong emotional connection with viewers.
Finally, Cinematic Potential: With its evocative settings and powerful emotional arcs, "The Pebble Champion" promises a visually and emotionally engaging cinematic experience.

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

Life-affirming

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

Leaving Normal, directed by Edward Zwick, a film about finding your place when there is nowhere to call home; Ping Pong – a Japanese movie about what it means to be a hero to others – and to yourself.

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

2 years on and off, but my dream to turn my novel into a successful movie has been a dream for many, many years.

7. How many stories have you written?

One novel (of which the screenplay is an adaptation), 2 collections of poetry (Advancing Backwards, Window Spit), 3 one act plays (Red-Handed, Torn Jeans, Genius), one short screenplay (One of Us).

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

Hey Nineteen by Steely Dan – and an instrumental piece called Old Fool Back on Earth by Michel Colombier.

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

Because the screenplay is an adaptation of my award-winning novel, knowing what to remove from the original story was difficult. I was too close to all the narrative details of the novel that deciding which to keep and which to discard was a challenge.

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

I am also a maker of poetry videos, some of which have won awards around the world. But my career as an educator, a teacher and a teacher trainer has been the other main passion in my life.

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

Good question. The platform has its pros and cons. There are many bogus competitions/ festivals that one must be weary of – and do due diligence before handing over money. Many festivals simply provide a laurel as a prize, and many of these are pretty pointless because they do not promote the artists.

Festivals like Chicago Feedback offer value for money because you get genuinely helpful feedback. And there is a real interest in promoting winners, rather than simply awarding them a certificate or laurel.

High-stakes festivals and competitions, where actual film producers are readers/ judges are the ones to aim for in terms of getting actual results.

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

This screenplay is at draft 6 stage, and I wanted to know if its present reworking had any merit. Plus, I wanted to get feedback to help me improve. The high score of 8/10 is promising, but now I want to aim for full marks in order to make the screenplay more attractive to potential producers. The feedback provided by Chicago Feedback was gentle, informative and helpful – and may well help me achieve a higher rating.