Agents Bryan and Lee investigate the disappearance of a young girl, Jasmine. With the help of James, they gain access to her home but find themselves trapped with an alien creature which absorbs James. However, they are aided by Thacker, Jasmine's father, who has held the alien captive to lead him to his daughter. But when a saucer arrives, the trio are beamed aboard where they discover Jasmine and other members of the family being harvested to cure an alien disease. Rescuing her, they attempt escape, but only Jasmine and Lee make it home. Unknown to Lee, Jasmine is carrying a mutagen which infects humans, paving the way for an alien invasion.

CAST LIST:

Narrator: Hannah Ehman
Bryan: Sean Ballantyne
Lee: Shawn Devlin

Get to know the writer:

1. What is your screenplay about?

Absent is about two regular Joes working at a charter school. They help at risk students stay in school and progress toward graduation(my actual job). While training the new guy on home visits, they investigate the chronic absences of one particular student. Everything goes awry when they accidentally discover that the student was abducted by aliens, and the Father has an alien in his basement. Bait, to be used in an even trade. His daughter for the alien captive. During the trade, they all end up getting sucked into a spacecraft where they have to fight to make it back home where it's safe, or so they think.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Horror/Sci Fi

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

This should be made into a movie because of its originality and right now alien stories are prevalent. This movie would do well. It has a wide target audience as well.

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

Fun Horror

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

Night of the living dead (1990)

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

I worked on this script most of 2025.

7. How many stories have you written?

I've written 5 complete screenplays. A few scripts that are nearly done, but I took a break for one reason or another.

8. What motivated you to write this screenplay?

My current job in Education motivated most of this script. We've done plenty of home visits for chronically absent students, and I always thought we could run into some horrific scenarios. I love anything alien, so it came naturally.

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

I think my obstacles are that of the everyday American. I have two daughters. One in high school. One is 2 years old. So, there is plenty to do with very little time. I work 40 hours a week in education and I do security over night for another 35 hours a week. I sleep on average 4 hours a night. My spare time, I write and sleep.

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

I love watching movies with my family. Spending time with my daughters. I played football for 10 years and have always been passionate about it. Music is a huge part of my family's lives as well. We listen to all types and have many musicians in the family.

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

Horror Underground sounded like a very cool festival and I hadn't entered one that would table read my work, so I thought it would be a cool prize. I am very happy with the feedback as it was 100% positive. The scene was done so well. I was so impressed. I absolutely loved it.