The Coen Brothers’ Fargo is a rare film that truly has it all, suspense, humor, heart, and razor-sharp craft. In this episode, we explore why this 1996 classic remains a storytelling masterclass, from its unforgettable characters to its chillingly simple plot and timeless theme of greed. If you want to see how a script can be both wildly entertaining and artistically flawless, this is the breakdown for you.

Struggling for your next great story? Unleashes your creativity with brainstorming techniques, 50 fresh script ideas across genres, and a step-by-step method to turn sparks into screenplays. Learn how to hook readers, build emotional payoffs, and discover where to submit your finished script - from competitions to Kinolime itself.

Warner Bros. exploring a sale isn’t just news, it’s a turning point. In this episode, John and Danny break down what mega-mergers, Wall Street leadership, and weak antitrust mean for filmmakers, film lovers, and the future of cinema. From worst-case buyers to the rise of indie film and audience-driven studios, they unpack the risks, the hope, and why this moment matters more than ever.

From over 2,000 scripts, three unforgettable stories rose to the top: CHICKEN, PUSHING DAISY, and BODY OF WATER. To the seven incredible writers who didn’t make it: thank you for your heart, courage, and craft. Your stories moved us deeply. Now it’s your turn, Kinolimers, read, listen, and vote for the story that stayed with you.

Megan Park’s My Old Ass blends heartfelt coming-of-age with magical realism as teen Elliott meets her 39-year-old future self after a shroom trip. What begins as playful advice (“wear your retainer”) becomes a profound meditation on love, loss, and gratitude; reminding us that growing up means embracing life’s beauty, even knowing it will one day fade.

John and Danny dive into how the streaming boom is reshaping screenwriting. With films now driving more revenue than TV, they explore what that means for writers, covering Netflix’s five-minute rule, the rise of high-concept storytelling, and why shorter, punchier scripts win. Tune in for six essential tips on writing for today’s market and keeping your stories irresistible from page one.

You don’t need an MFA to master screenwriting - just the right books. From Blake Snyder’s Save the Cat! to Stephen King’s On Writing and Pressfield’s The War of Art, these 16 must-reads cover every angle: story structure, dialogue, industry insight, creative mindset, and the business of getting your words from page to screen.

This Halloween, Meara and filmmaker Woody Bess take a decade-by-decade dive into the evolution of horror. From the eerie colonial ghosts of I Walked with a Zombie to the viral terror of Talk to Me, they explore how each era’s fears shaped its stories. Expect passionate debates (Alien vs The Thing), hidden gems, and insights into what truly makes a horror film stick in your mind long after the credits roll.

Hotel Mumbai tackles the challenge of dramatizing real tragedy with care and intensity. By focusing on survivors, staff, and even conflicted attackers during the 2008 Mumbai siege, it avoids exploitation and instead highlights courage, fear, and humanity under fire. A gripping reminder that storytelling can honor real events while revealing the resilience at their core.

Outlining a screenplay is the bridge between inspiration and execution. It helps you shape your concept, structure your plot, and define your characters before writing a single scene. In this guide, we break down how to create a strong script outline in six clear steps so you can write with focus, flow, and confidence.

In this episode of the Kinolime Podcast, Meara and Danny sit down with Kole, Kinolime’s Social Media Manager and one of this year’s Shorts Competition standouts, to discuss his surreal and deeply personal script COME. Inspired by David Lynch’s creative philosophy, Kole shares how he let go of structure and logic to write from instinct, exploring shame, guilt, and emotion through pure, unfiltered storytelling.

In the decaying heart of Detroit, a young woman arrives at a rental home, only to find a stranger already inside. What begins as an awkward misunderstanding twists into a nightmare of tunnels, secrets, and unspeakable horrors beneath the house. Barbarian isn’t just another fright flick - it’s the rare modern horror that’s truly unpredictable, clever, and absolutely terrifying.

After weeks of passionate voting, debate, and anticipation, the results are in, and what a lineup it is. The 2025 Kinolime Shorts Top 10 shine with originality, emotion, and bold creative vision. From fractured musicians to cloned Hamlets, these scripts prove that short films can be as daring and layered as any feature. Ready to meet the finalists? Find out who made it into the Top 10 below.

As the veil thins and the nights stretch ever longer, we invite you to journey through the dark heart of cinema. From cursed islands and wax museums to dreamscapes and daylight cults, these thirteen screenplays trace horror’s evolution - from whispered superstition to psychological terror. Each one a reflection of its era, each one daring you to read closer… and maybe sleep with the lights on.

Jon M. Chu’s Wicked (2024) brings Broadway’s beloved musical to the screen with dazzling faithfulness and cinematic flair. The film expands iconic moments, adds fresh context, and deepens themes of power, friendship, and identity, culminating in a soaring “Defying Gravity” that captures the heart of the story.

Few films divide audiences like One Battle After Another. In this Kinolime Podcast, John and Danny debate whether it’s truly the defining film of the 21st century. From DiCaprio’s anxious hero to PTA’s bold themes of revolution and failure, they unpack every frame, and ask: does this movie redefine modern cinema or just spark one more battle?

Breaking into Hollywood isn’t just about great scripts, it’s about building the right relationships. Landing a screenwriting manager means proving your craft, showcasing marketable samples, and finding a true career partner. From referrals and queries to competitions and proof-of-concepts, here’s how to open doors and get the representation you deserve.

A curse that passes through intimacy, an unseen figure always walking toward you, and the fragile art of suspense - It Follows transforms a simple premise into haunting dread. Yet even the smallest misstep can break the tension, turning terror into triviality. What makes suspense thrive, and how can it all unravel?

BAFTA-nominated filmmaker Stephen Fingleton (The Survivalist, The Waif) joins John Schramm to explore the art of screenwriting; from crafting ideas and building conflict engines to mastering focus, feedback, and discipline. A deep dive into how writers find their process, sustain passion, and finally finish the story.

The greatest screenwriters have shaped cinema through unforgettable dialogue, characters, and stories that span genres and generations. From Wilder and Kaufman to Peele and Gerwig, their works reveal timeless lessons in craft, voice, and innovation. Studying these legends offers aspiring writers a roadmap to master storytelling.