In a galaxy choked by occupation, reluctant leader Sol hijacks a Galactic Union warship—sparking planetary uprisings and thrusting his fledgling resistance into a brutal war against a colonising force that will burn worlds to stay in control.

CAST LIST:

Narrator: Julie Sheppard
Ambassador Korth: Shawn Devlin
King Alarius: Hannah Ehman

What is your screenplay about?

This screenplay is about Sol Muqawam, the burdened leader of a galactic rebellion, who leads a desperate mission to hijack a Union Dreadnought for its resources. What begins as a tactical heist transforms into a profound moral crisis when they discover the ship's true cargo: hundreds of imprisoned civilians from a conquered world - Zaytoon, which is also Timor's homeworld. Forced to confront his own traumatic past and the weight of his "savior" legend, Sol must choose between the strategic goals of his rebellion and the immediate, human cost of the war, ultimately reigniting his fight not for victory, but for redemption.

What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Science Fiction: The primary genre, featuring spaceships, railguns, plasma weapons, holograms, and a fully-realized galactic society.

Action: The script is packed with intense space dogfights, explosive boarding actions, and close-quarters combat.

War Drama: At its core, it's a story about the costs of war, the burden of leadership, and the moral compromises made in a rebellion.

Space Western: Elements like the grizzled, morally-grey crew of a beat-up freighter, the "wanted man" leader, and the frontier-like setting of the asteroid belt give it a distinct Western feel.

3. Why should this screenplay be produced?

With everything that is happening in the world right now, I think my screenplay should be produced because it is a visceral, character-driven sci-fi epic that combines the spectacle of a blockbuster with the heart of a poignant war drama. I have looked at some of the key conflicts that are happening in the world and tried to create an epic that shows a grounded resistance movement against an almost impossible imperial occupation force. It offers:

High-Concept Appeal: A gritty "David vs. Goliath" spaceship hijack is a proven, marketable concept.

Diverse, Compelling Characters: The ensemble cast features distinct, memorable roles that allow multiple actors to shine, from the stoic leader and lethal enforcer to the witty pilot and untrustworthy rogue.

Social Relevance: The themes of resisting oppressive regimes, fighting for freedom, and the moral cost of war are timeless and resonant.

Franchise Potential: The rich universe, deep character backstories, and the open-ended conclusion lay a strong foundation for a potential film series or streaming show.

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

Gritty Opera

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

Star Wars

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

About 1 year. I have a full-time job so I have been mainly working on the weekends.

7. How many stories have you written?

3 Scripts and 14 short stories.

8. What motivated you to write this screenplay?

The resistance movements around the world opposing imperial occupation. I wanted to create an allegory based in space where planets represent countries or regions that are being occupied for their land and resources.

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

Time - I have only been writing for just over 1 year on and off. With a full-time day job it's difficult to find the time and energy to write and complete the script. I have actually created a new version which is 50 pages long and much tighter.

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

Freedom

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

I had positive feedback from my friends, colleagues and my fellow writers and decided it was time to enter a few competitions. The feedback has been good but would also like to have more!