Screenplay

Guns & God: "Lines in the Sand"

Name: Guns & God: "Lines in the Sand"
Genre: Screenplay

Written by Rain Story

AFIN 2020 Semi-Finalist

2020
55pp
English
Drama
Thriller
Political

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Wrote this screenplay? Let us know to add or correct the credits or details. Writer sign-in opens with the claim email at Awards Night, 19 September 2026.

Synopsis

A powerful Bible-belt family protects its gun empire, cultural traditions, and constitutional right to bear arms not only from the liberals next door but also from changing gun laws, but it cannot protect against murder, adultery, and conspiracy within its own domain.

Writer's Statement

This screenplay is based on the novel I wrote to address the underpinning cultural and societal workings that root deeply held beliefs in gun rights and religion in the southern United States. Until we can all truly understand from where the passion swells, we can never come to any resolve or compromise on the gun problem we have in this country. This is a non-partisan narrative.

Rain Story Writer

What makes this one special

4 awards at other festivalsMakizhmithran International Film Festival · Makizhmithran International Film Festival · Tamizhagam International Film Festival and 1 more
Programmed at 18 other festivals

Also selected at

4 awards, 1 nomination, 9 finalist placings, 4 official selections across 18 other festivals

WinnerMakizhmithran International Film FestivalWINNER for Best Television Script Screenplay · Alampattu, India · 2026
WinnerMakizhmithran International Film FestivalWINNER for Best Writer · Alampattu, India · 2026
WinnerTamizhagam International Film FestivalWINNER for Best Short Script · Tamil Nadu, India · 2026
WinnerTamizhagam International Film FestivalWINNER for Best Writer · Tamil Nadu, India · 2026
NomineeEast Europe International Film Festival: Warsaw Edition 2020!Nominee for Best Unproduced Screenplay · Warsaw, Poland · 2020
FinalistChicago Script Awards 2025Semi-Finalist for Best TV Pilot Script · Chicago, IL · 2025
FinalistLos Angeles Crime and Horror Film Festival 2022Finalist for Best Screenplay · Los Angeles, California · 2022
FinalistPortland Screenplay Awards (2022)Finalist for Best TV Pilot Script · Portland, Oregon · 2022
FinalistNational Indie Excellence Awards 2021Finalist for Crime Fiction · Huntington Beach, CA · 2021
FinalistManhattan Short Film FestivalSemi-finalist for Best Screenplay · New York, NY · 2020
FinalistRome Independent Prisma AwardsSemi-finalist for Best Feature Screenplay · Rome, Italy · 2020
FinalistRome Independent Prisma AwardsFinalist for Best Feature Screenplay · Rome, Italy · 2020
FinalistScreenCraft TV Pilot Script Competition 2021Quarterfinalist for Best Screenplay · Los Angeles · 2020
FinalistScreenCraft TV Pilot Script Competition 2021Semi-finalist for Best Screenplay · Los Angeles · 2020
SelectionSoCal Film AwardsOfficial Selection · Los Angeles, CA · 2021
SelectionEast Europe International Film Festival: Warsaw Edition 2020!Offical Selection · Warsaw, Poland · 2020
SelectionRome Independent Prisma AwardsOffical Selection · Rome, Italy · 2020
SelectionTelevision Feedback Screenplay & Web Series FestivalOffical Selection · Toronto, Canada · 2020

Recorded by the filmmaker on their entry.

Writer's Biography

Rain Story Writer

Rain Story is an Arkansas native but has lived and worked for the last decade in Los Angeles. Her experiences of growing up in the South give this story riveting surrealism. She is an alumna of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, the University of New Mexico, and the University of Kentucky. She earned two B.A.s and four years of graduate studies before personal tragedies pulled her away from her graduate work. She is also a proud Donaghey Scholar and fellow of the William G. Cooper, Jr. Honors Program in English.

AFIN 2026

The festival opens in 4 days

Screening 1 at Dendy Cinemas Portside, Brisbane

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