From Screenwriter to Director: How One Contest Changed Everything
When I submitted my screenplay to Kinolime's competition, I had no idea it would change the trajectory of my career. Like many writers, I was hesitant - looking at all the other talented participants, I wondered if my work would even be noticed. What drew me to the contest was its blind submission process - no names attached, just the work speaking for itself.
What made Kinolime's contest unique was its collaborative nature. As participants, we weren't just submitting our work - we were actively reading and rating other screenwriters' submissions. Each screenplay we reviewed earned us "Limes," the platform's creative currency. After spending hours immersed in others' stories, offering feedback, and earning these Limes, I finally had enough to cash in for something I never thought I'd get: a pitch meeting with John Schramm, Kinolime's Head of Development.
That meeting changed everything. What started as a pitch for my screenplay evolved into a deeper conversation about storytelling and another script I had been working on. Then, unexpectedly, John asked me a simple but life-changing question: "Have you ever thought about directing?" I remember admitting that I hadn't seriously considered it - I didn't know the first steps to take or if I was even qualified. His response stuck with me: "The moment you have an idea in your mind to direct, you can say you have projects in various stages of production - and boom, you're a director." It wasn't just what he said, but how he said it - with genuine belief in my potential.
As my original screenplay continued climbing the rankings in the competition - eventually reaching number 11 - I felt a growing sense of validation. While I didn't win the contest, that pitch meeting had already given me something far more valuable: a new direction.
What struck me most was that despite not winning the contest, John had taken the time during our pitch meeting to look beyond my screenplay and see potential I hadn't even recognized in myself. Sometimes all we need is that one person who sees something in us that we don't yet see in ourselves.
That conversation sparked something. I began researching directing, learning everything I could. Now, less than a year later, I'm preparing to direct my first feature film in February 2025. We've secured locations, permits, and have a mix of professional and amateur actors on board after successful casting calls. Local businesses have stepped up to support the project. If you had told me a year ago this would be happening, I wouldn't have believed you.
Kinolime did more than run a screenplay contest - they created an environment where writers could be discovered, encouraged, and pushed beyond their comfort zones. Their commitment to finding and nurturing new talent isn't just about selecting winners; it's about opening doors for anyone with passion and potential.
As I prepare for my directorial debut, I can't help but feel grateful for that initial push, that moment someone said, "You can do this." Sometimes that's all it takes to transform a dream into reality.
To the Kinolime team and John - thank you for seeing potential where I didn't, and for creating opportunities that change lives. I'm excited to see how you'll continue inspiring other writers the way you inspired me.