Ashley Kelly is your typical American young woman—or she would be if it weren’t for the cluster bomb that crippled her. Ten years after the alien invasion, over a hundred million Americans have been displaced by the war, with millions more dead. Ash has spent ten years learning to walk again, and she’ll be damned if she’s going to lie down for anyone, human or alien.

CAST LIST:

Narrator: Steve Rizzo
Ashley: Elizabeth Rose Morriss
Liz: Val Cole
Stranger #1: Andy Camp
Stranger #2: Shawn Devlin

Get to know the writer:

What is your screenplay about?

Welcome to the Occupied States follows Ash Kelly, who, after a cluster bomb leaves her wheelchair-bound, becomes humanity's unsuspecting leader in a final stand against an alien invasion. As the war drags on for a decade, Ash uncovers secrets that could shift the balance of the conflict forever.

What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Sci-fi, action, and adventure.

Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

The story features an action heroine in a wheelchair—Ash Kelly, who is physically limited but doesn't let that stop her. The stakes are higher for her in an alien world where flesh-eating invaders threaten humanity. She uses her brains and smarts to survive and lead the resistance, making for a powerful and unique protagonist in the genre.

How would you describe this script in two words?

Defiant Rebellion.

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

The Alien franchise.

How long have you been working on this screenplay?

3 years.

How many stories have you written?

5 feature films and 2 TV pilots.

What motivated you to write this screenplay?

I loved the story, and it holds a personal connection as my father, Peter Cawdron, is the author of the novel that inspired it.

What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?

It wasn't funded initially, so I took the risk of writing it myself. I got tired of waiting for funding, so I decided to go ahead and write it anyway.

Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

Eco filmmaking.

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

I loved the environmental aspect of the festival, and the feedback was very encouraging.