The Judges have spoken and The Top 3 of the Kinolime Feature Film Competition 2026 are here. Thrilling, action packed, and most importantly, waiting for your vote. Read, vote, discuss, who will be crowned the winner?

John and Danny dive into one of the year’s most divisive films: Michael. What begins as a debate about the Michael Jackson biopic quickly expands into a larger conversation about nostalgia, modern musical biopics, and whether these films are still true character dramas or have become theatrical fan experiences. From storytelling and performance to controversy and box office success, the two break down what screenwriters can learn from one of the most talked-about movies of the year.

The scripts are in, and the next stage is in the community’s hands. After hundreds of submissions from across South Asia and the diaspora, the Top 26 scripts of the 2026 South Asia Shorts Competition have officially been selected. Now it’s time to read, vote, and help decide which stories move into the Top 10. From intimate character dramas to bold original concepts, these shortlisted scripts showcase the incredible range of voices shaping the future of South Asian cinema.

Kole Landon-Lee, creator of Screenwriting in LA, joins John and Danny for an honest conversation about creativity, depression, filmmaking, and building one of the biggest screenwriting communities online. From moving to LA with nothing to rediscovering his passion through cinema and social media, Kole shares the reality of chasing a creative life, the power of authenticity, and why community matters more than connections.

What really happens after you submit your script? In this episode, professional readers break down how scripts are evaluated across competitions, agencies, and production companies. From formatting and first impressions to character, clarity, and emotional impact, they reveal what makes a screenplay stand out and why some scripts move forward while others don’t.

After five weeks of reading, debating, and voting, the community has chosen the Top 10 scripts from this year’s Feature Competition. Now, the judges take over to select the Top 3 by May 17, before the final vote returns to you. From thousands of entries, we’re one step away from crowning the 2026 winner.

From Nigeria to South Africa, director Adze Ugah shares his journey into filmmaking and the lessons that shaped his voice. In this episode, we explore storytelling, resilience, and why authenticity matters. From VHS tapes to directing Shaka and Something Like Molasses (Kinolime Production), this is a conversation about craft, courage, and putting yourself into the story.

On this week’s Kinolime Podcast, John and Danny explore the legacy of Warner Bros., one of the greatest studios in film history. From Casablanca to The Dark Knight, they revisit the films and filmmakers that defined its identity, while reflecting on its uncertain future. They also share ten essential screenplays and make a case for bold, original storytelling.

John and Danny break down Hemingway’s Iceberg Theory and what it means for your screenplay. From subtext and hidden character wounds to writing without exposition, they explore how great stories reveal meaning beneath the surface. Using examples like No Country for Old Men and Zodiac, this episode offers practical tools to help you write with more depth, restraint, and emotional impact.

A huge congratulations to our Top 26, an incredible achievement in one of our most competitive years yet. With thousands of submissions, the quality across the board was overwhelming. To everyone who didn’t make it this time, your work did not go unnoticed. So many powerful, original stories made this an incredibly difficult selection. Keep writing, you’re closer than you think.

Austin Kolodney’s journey to Dead Man’s Wire is anything but typical. From writing a spec he had to see made to navigating options, unpaid rewrites, and day jobs, he shares the real path behind his first feature. With stories of Werner Herzog, Gus Van Sant, and years of persistence, this episode is a raw look at what it takes to stay in the game.

John and Danny unpack The Bride!, a bold but messy swing at reinventing Frankenstein. They explore why the film struggles to connect, from unclear character wants to overloaded subplots and weak story drive, while still celebrating its ambition. A sharp breakdown of what writers can learn when big ideas don’t fully land.

John and Danny break down the essential submission materials every screenwriter needs, from loglines and one-pagers to treatments and pitch bibles. Using real film examples, they explain how to clearly present your story, sharpen your pitch, and stand out in a competitive industry. A practical guide to turning your screenplay into a compelling package.

Stand-up comedian and screenwriter Bret Raybould drops into the Kinolime studio for an unscheduled conversation about writing, collaboration, and actually finishing scripts. Fresh off selling an animated series to Tubi, Bret shares how stand-up shapes his writing process, why comedy works best with partners, and the simple rule every writer should remember: writers finish.

The Oscars are almost here and we’re not holding back. In this episode, John and Danny unpack the Academy’s power-driven origins, the politics behind modern campaigns, and the real stories shaping this year’s race. From bold predictions to shocking snubs, we debate who will win, who should win, and who got completely overlooked. If you love awards season drama and sharp film takes, this one’s for you.

Two curious students stepped inside Kinolime’s Brooklyn studio to discover how independent films actually get made. In this candid conversation, they interview Director of Development John Schramm about his career, the power of storytelling, and how Kinolime’s open screenwriting competition turns bold young writers into produced filmmakers.

John and Chaya break down the biggest Hollywood misconceptions in this candid Kinolime Podcast episode. From indie vs. studio and the myth that a great script gets you discovered, to producer attachments, industry “bullshitters,” glamour vs. grit, and modern attention spans, they share honest insight into how the business really works and what filmmakers need to know to keep moving forward.

What happens after you win a screenwriting competition? In this episode, John sits down with 2.0 winner Eric Landau to talk about signing the option, tackling rewrites, and preparing his script to go out to A-list directors. Eric shares how he handles notes, collaborates with producers, and stays disciplined through multiple drafts a real look at the work that begins after the win.

In this episode, John and Danny kick off the 2026 Writing Series by tackling one of the biggest problems in spec scripts: page count. They break down how to trim scene description, cut characters and dialogue that don’t serve the protagonist, remove unnecessary scenes, and sharpen focus, so your screenplay moves faster without losing what makes it work.