Fiona Haegerbergh, a journalist for The Metro Standard, arrives in a rural Norwegian town to investigate rising drug use. Officially, she’s there to produce a webcast— but Fiona has her own agenda: uncovering the truth behind the recent suspicious death of a local drug dealer. Fiona’s editor urges her to stay on task, as much is riding on the Metro Standard’s survival—now largely dependent on the recent success of its popular web series.

CAST LIST:

Narrator: Val Cole
Fiona: Hannah Ehman
Kari: Elizabeth Rose Morriss

Get to know the writer:

1. What is your screenplay about?

My screenplay is about a journalist Fiona Haegerbergh, who travels to a remote Norwegian town to cover rising drug use for her paper’s popular web series, but she’s secretly investigating the suspicious death of a local dealer. She's met with hostility from townsfolk and a wary sheriff, but she gradually earns his reluctant trust as she digs into the community’s hidden drug network. Her search leads to Jenny, a young mine worker with ties to Fiona’s brother, who may have inherited the operation. When Jenny is suddenly found drowned, Fiona’s investigation takes a darker turn and she is faced with a devastating choice: expose what she’s uncovered and risk her own secret being revealed—or stay silent and let the town’s shadows close in.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Thriller, Mystery

3. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

Because it has a good mystery, loveable characters and an unexpected twist.

4. How would you describe this script in two words?

Powerful forces

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

Naked Gun

6. How long have you been working on this screenplay?

5 months

7. How many stories have you written?

Two: Trust Me (Screenplay), The Village Phantom (Screenplay)

Currently working on a third screenplay: 'Evil Coconuts'

8. What motivated you to write this screenplay?

The concept of a Village Phantom (in Norwegian: Bygdedyret), an invisible force that unites people to remove a menace in their community, was always fascinating to me. So I spun a story set in the town where my mother grew up, a commuter town to the capital, Oslo.

9. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?

I didn't encounter any particular obstacles finishing the screenplay.

10. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

I like making trailers using AI technology.

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

The feedback was extremely helpful. It helped me plug plot holes and logical inconsistencies in the story.

I received very helpful feedback on my previous screenplay, Trust Me, so I thought I'd submit my next screenplay as well.