After a wrongful execution sends rock star, John Santo to the morgue, he rises from the dead, thinking he has a second chance to clear his name, but when he’s thrust into a life-and-death struggle to rescue his kidnapped daughter, Angela from renegade pastor, Sonny Romeo -- Satan stands in John’s way, demanding his soul as recompense.

CAST LIST:

Narrator: Elizabeth Rose Morriss
John: Geoff Mays
Vicente: Shawn Devlin
Newscaster: Hannah Ehman

Get to know the writer:

1. What is your screenplay about?

Rock star, John Santo is framed and convicted for the murder of his band manager, Ella Gant. When John is wrongfully executed, he meets Jesus Christ in the afterlife, only to be sent back because it's not his time yet, he has more to do. After waking up in a morgue, John meets morgue technician, Vicente Prezio, who helps John embark on a journey to clear his tainted name. However, when John seeks help from renegade pastor, Sonny Romeo who gave him last rites at the execution, Sonny coerces John by kidnapping his daughter, Angela, only to be used as a pawn by trying to swindle John out of his soul for Satan's plans to create a one-world church.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Thematically faith-based, this story breaks out as a supernatural thriller, segueing into a briskly paced narrative throughout the actions and emotional beats carried out by a rich ensemble of supporting characters.

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

While the good versus evil trope has been done time and time again, this unique take on Satan versus a mere mortal protagonist along with an investible cast of characters provides a vivacious perspective across their relationships and how they solve problems. This approach gives a fresh and entertaining take on a father's passionate exploits, doing everything in his power to save his daughter from the ultimate antagonist, Satan, without retelling similar storied tropes veiled in a façade of horror. As a fresh and entertaining faith-based supernatural thriller, this movie would be highly marketable through broad-based demographics.

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

Emotionally immersive.

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

"The Godfather"

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

On and off for about eight years with the last three years being the most focused and fruitful in its development.

7. How many stories have you written?

I have completed six full-feature screenplays, a one-hour teleplay, and a novel, along with a new full-feature screenplay project in development.

8. What motivated you to write this screenplay?

Several years ago, while working as a government contractor on an overseas military base, my surroundings were exposed to incoming munitions fire. After work, I sought a distraction that would shield my thoughts from these unnerving conditions. I began experimenting with screenwriting, and after outlining several concepts that didn't quite work, "Executed and Risen" eventually became my first full-feature screenplay.

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

Midway through its development, I wrestled with turning the story into a dark comedy. While I experimented by taking that direction in several scenes, I quickly realized that the story was losing its soul, smothered by forced humor. As some key emotional scenes lumbered into comedic exchanges, some characters unintentionally became caricatures, completely changing the dynamic of the story. While it was an interesting exercise, this failed approach was a valued lesson learned.

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

As a former restauranteur, I'm passionate about culinary arts. I also enjoy a wide range of music as I was a rock drummer playing the Boston club circuit back in my late teens/early twenties.

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

The festival's opportunities for exposure lured me into entering the competition. I found the initial critiques inciteful and helpful, which led me to conduct several rewrites and edits, incorporating some valued and objective feedback in my latest draft.