Short Screenplay AFIN 044
Castle
Written by Rachel Doman
AFIN 2020 Winner
- 2020
-
USA - English
- Drama
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Synopsis
A young autistic girl, Raegan, finds haven in the game of chess at her school’s club led by popular Kennedy. When a devastating meltdown puts their relationship to a heightened test, the bitter truth of reality sets in.
What makes this one special
- A student film
From the Judges
From the Judges
A short screenplay that draws its reader inside the experience of autism spectrum disorder, this one landed with the panel as both illuminating and genuinely moving. They responded to the originality of the premise and to the quiet call to action running beneath it, built through tension and suspense that tighten with each question and each beat. The emotional intelligence on the page struck them as rare, and the writing carries a real feel for human struggle.
Writer's Biography
Rachel Doman Writer
Award-winning screenwriter Rachel Doman advocates for communities underrepresented by mainstream media. In addition to receiving over 65 international recognitions, Rachel was nominated for the Emerging Filmmaker Award by the Changing Face International Film Festival in Australia. An Atlanta native, she loves to connect with her city, inspired by its diversity and challenged by its weather. Rachel can always be caught laughing, even while writing one of her dramatic screenplays. Being in high school informs her storytelling as both a writer and actor. She is best known for creating the short, now feature, film Making Waves in development now with Roth Stock Pictures and hitting the Netflix screen in the Fear Street trilogy. Rachel is the founder and director of the Atlanta High School Film Festival and leads a scholastic filmmaking program for local young filmmakers. She has attracted global attention as a young artist, appearing in interviews, podcasts, roundtables, panels, and more. Be the first to hear about her next big thing on Instagram at @rachelndoman.
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Castle was Winner of Best Short Screenplay at the AFIN International Film Festival 2020, a Top 100 Best Reviewed and IMDb-qualifying festival.
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