T H E N O V E L S
ADAPTED FROM THE SCREENPLAYS
More Than Yesterday
Less Than Tomorrow
(formerly titled)
BORROWED DREAMS
C O M I N G
recognizes
2024
BORROWED DREAMS
screenplay
White Shadows, Black Dreams
Now Adapted Into the Novel
My Journey to Lewaro
Stories Along the Way
HOLLYWOOD GATEWAY
SCREENPLAY COMPETITION
WHITE SHADOWS, BLACK DREAMS is an extraordinary accounting of African-American life at the turn of the 20th Century written in epic form. It's the classic story of triumphing over insurmountable odds to wealth, prosperity, leadership and independence. The formula has been attempted many times, but rarely does the storytelling transcend from telling the overwhelming story to taking the audience on the journey along with the central character. WHITE SHADOWS, BLACK DREAMS is in the company of THE COLOR PURPLE and ROOTS. (read more under comments tab)
My Journey to Lewaro: Stories Along the Way explores the depths of human depravity, and the resilience that enables us to triumph over it. In situations of the most dire violence and inhumanity shines a gleam of love, endurance, and commitment to a belief in the possibility of goodness. The novel is a testament to the capacity of these values and beliefs to persist and overcome in the face of the evil they encounter. Despite the heart-wrenching realities it explores, My Journey to Lewaro: Stories Along the Way is a book of profound hope and ultimately a love story. LEWARO ROAD
The novel is narrated by the protagonist herself, in a style infused with all the wit and wisdom she needs to draw on to survive the trials she encounters. The music of the prose captures the verve and passion of the lives it traces, and the arc of the narrative follows an epic trajectory, encompassing a vision as broad and embracing as the love that animates her awareness. LEWARO ROAD
The Board of Trustees of the
AMERICAN CINEMA FOUNDATION
ANNOUNCES
The 8th Annual SCREENWRITING COMPETITION WINNER
Justin Swingle, for WHITE SHADOWS, BLACK DREAMS
For excellence in screenplay writing which tell a positive story about specific fundamental values and their importance to society.
The AMERICAN CINEMA FOUNDATION nurtures and rewards feature film and television projects which address fundamental social values and support and strengthens the common good and the common culture.
http://www.cinemafoundation.com/archive-2001-2004.php
CINEMA FOUNDATION.com
JUDGES:
Academy member Lionel Chetwynd
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0156417/awards?ref_=nm_awd
Nominated for an Academy award Best Writing, Screenplay Adapted From Other Material
The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz (1974)
Lionel Chetwynd Productions
https://www.imdb.com/search/title/?companies=co0019459
Academy member Bob Gale
Writer | Back to the Future
Bob Gale is an Oscar-nominated screenwriter-producer-director, best known as co-creator, co-writer and co-producer of Back to the Future (1985) and its sequels. Gale was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, and graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a B.A. in Cinema from the University of Southern California. He has written over 30 screenplays.
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0301826/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm
White Shadows, Black Dreams (as Journey To Lewaro)
W H I T E S H A D O W S, B L A C K D R E A M S
(Justin Swingle's First Screenplay Originally Titled Journey to Lewaro)
"This is an enormously talented writer. The writing is powerful and poetic. The characters are especially vivid and compelling. I've rarely read a script as good as this one - as a producer I would hire this writer in a second. This is a brilliant script and will make a powerful movie."
Academy Member Pamela Wallace Associated with the film Witness
COMPETITION JUDGES' FEEDBACK
EVALUATION I.
Madam C.J.Walker, a very, very wonderful choice for a screenplay! You have taken on a difficult task, and created an excellent script! Your characters are strong, full of spirit and energy. The dialogue is real and engaging. The narration draws the reader in - it is visually strong. I easily see this on screen, either large or small screen format. You weave many elements around Sarah's life in good form and keep us focused on her journey. Her story is so inspiring and motivating, it needs to be told. Very well done!
EVALUATION II.
You are a wonderful writer with a very compelling story. Your writing is very visual and you have great tension and conflict in the dialogue and between the characters – excellent for the movie screen! Your structure meets all the elements of screenplay style. In spite of the horrid scenes of oppression, you balance the characters and story with good use of humor. You have the ability to develop character through dialogue. Your characters are whole and rich, extremely well written. You have a clear cinematic vision and are capable of showing, not telling, which so many writers fall prey to. The story is a real page-turner.
***
"Justin Swingle is an amazing young writer. My heart is still ringing from reading his work, JOURNEY TO LEWARO. This ambitious script demonstrates big talent in all areas of screenwriting, and in particular, character and dialogue (his characters are real - they jump off the page).
The story itself is stitched together with quality and dramatic dexterity. And although it takes its time, it reads like a page-turner because it is honest, relevant and smart. I look forward to reading future writing wonders from Justin Swingle." Craig Kellem
Former agent for CMA, (ICM)
Associate Producer, "Saturday Night Live"
Development Executive, 20th Century Fox, TV
Vice-president in charge of Comedy Development, Universal
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0445559/